I hate to disagree - wait, I'm an attorney so no, no I don't - but I know lots of people who care only about the money. For example, my best buddy is already sitting on 2400 as of December 1 and getting that top tier bonus is all he's been thinking about since the end of last year. Granted, his life is only filled with work and alcohol, but that's Manhattan. And he has no intention of ever making partner. Just wants to make bank.



Let's do some math. What's the difference between the 2000 and 2500 hour bonuses? About $20,000 for a junior, I believe (and this may be generous). And that averages out to $40 an hour. At a 35% tax rate thats $26 an hour. Think about that. It's even worse if you compare those numbers to somebody who only bills 1,500 hours and takes home base. And those are the most soul crushing, painful, late night, plans cancelled, hang yourself, to weak to just quit, curse your mother for giving you life hours of you will ever spend in your life. But if you don't care about anything else, like my buddy, then it's all gravy.



In the end, yeah, I take that deal in a heartbeat. But I'm the guy who tried to bribe his assigning manager to avoid bad deals and those Friday afternoon calls...