A Practical Guide to Navigating Associate Attorney Compensation with Ken Hardison

Welcome to episode 250 of the Grow Your Law Firm podcast, hosted by Ken Hardison. In this episode, Ken delves into the intricate world of associate attorney compensation.   Ken Hardison is the founder and president of PILMMA (Personal Injury Lawyers Marketing and Management Association). He is an attorney who built not one, but two multi-million-dollar law firms before selling them at age 52.   Ken created PILMMA to share his attorney trade secrets to build a profitable and successful law practice. Rooted in a deep-felt commitment to help lawyers avoid the mistakes and pitfalls Ken encountered while building his own firms – his goal remains the same: “To help as many lawyers as possible create the practice of their dreams. More profits. More Cases. And a law firm that gives you freedom to live the life you want and experience greater success on your own terms."   What you’ll learn about in this episode:   1. Compensation Models & Revenue Balance:  - Salary, commission, or hybrid structures can be utilized for associate attorneys.  - Associates should aim to earn no more than 20% of their revenue to maintain a balanced pay structure.   2. Hybrid Plans & Financial Alignment:  - Consider implementing hybrid plans that combine base salaries with outcome-based commissions for attorneys.  - Align attorney pay with the firm's financial health to incentivize revenue growth.   3. Transition to Commission-Based & Testing and Adjustment:  - Transitioning to commission-based pay, including advance draws and performance incentives, can motivate attorneys to increase revenue.  - Continuously test and adjust compensation strategies based on the firm's gross income and attorney performance.   4. Simplified Approach & Financial Benefits:  - Simplify compensation structures by opting for a straight commission with advanced draws, potentially supplemented by a base salary and percentage for litigation attorneys.  - Lawyers and associate lawyers may make more money with commission-based pay structures.   5. Customization & Consultation:  - Tailor compensation strategies to the firm's setup, case nature, and attorney performance for optimal revenue and motivation.  - Seek personalized advice and guidance on unique compensation situations to enhance overall success.   Additional Resources:  https://www.pilmma.org/aiworkshop https://www.pilmma.org/the-mastermind-effect https://www.pilmma.org/resources https://www.pilmma.org/mastermind