More costs, but more money

Inflation may be on most Canadians’ minds now, but law school has been climbing steadily for the last several years. What once cost a couple thousand dollars per year has skyrocketed, says Orit Sinai, partner with ZSA Recruitment.

“It cost 12 years ago $10,000 a year, but now the costs of going to law school have increased substantially across the board,” Sinai said. “Things have obviously shifted.”

More from Money.ca

Sinai noted that for Osgoode Hall, one of the top law schools in the country, the program now costs about $25,000 per year. That jumps to about $37,000 for international students. The higher prices have led some Canadians to seek their law school education elsewhere, such as Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

It’s the U.S. that’s posed a problem for Canadian law firms over the last year and a half, Sinai said.

“There’s been a war for talent, a lot of our talent was stolen by U.S. firms,” Sinai said. “About 25% of our top corporate lawyers have moved to the U.S. Mainly to New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. They were offering lawyers around US$200,000 per year. A first-year lawyer would make about $130,000 on Bay Street.”

The positive note is that to combat this, salaries increased in Canada. The pay raises are most notable for jobs on Bay Street, where there is an enormous demand for top candidates, Sinai says.

“An average lawyer that’s about three or four years out can expect to make $150,000 base salary in house,” Sinai says. “Then about $200,000 at a Bay Street Firm.”

That’s compared to the base of between $110,000 to $130,000 from before the pandemic, Sinai said.

Empower your investments with Qtrade

Discover Qtrade's award-winning platform and take control of your financial future. With user-friendly tools, expert insights, and low fees, investing has never been easier.

Start Trading Today

Beyond Bay Street

But if you go beyond the Bay Street firms, there has been a trickle down effect across Canada. In some cases, stellar candidates now have the option to work anywhere in the country, thanks to the rise of remote work. And this also meant rebudgeting to get the best people, Sinai said.

Take Quebec, for example, where hiring out to the U.S. is not as common. As of 2019, 35% of private practice lawyers in the province were making over $110,000. Those numbers increase even more if you focus on Montreal, said Dominique Tardif, president of ZSA Recruitment in Quebec.

And don't forget the annual bonuses.

“In some places, you’ll have a very generous bonus structure,” Tardif said. “If you put in the New York hours versus the Montreal hours, you’re likely to get it back in part through a bonus.”

The New York hours she’s referring to are the 2,000 hours required each year in the United States, or higher. In Canada, those hours fall to 1,750. While Canadian lawyers receive between a $50,000 and $60,000 bonus in some cases, U.S. lawyers are looking at bonuses closer to US$100,000.

Is it all about money?

If it’s all about the money, being a lawyer is a good start, but Sinai suggests jumping from there to business. That’s where the real money comes in, especially with emerging startups looking for in-house counsel.

“Law school is great and becoming a lawyer is great, but a lot of lawyers get MBAs and get into businesses,” Sinai said. “And that’s a lot of what people should consider, because it’s interesting and very lucrative.”

Tardif agrees, stating that if you’re comparing yourself to a CEO with a private yacht, then lawyers aren’t making that much money. Meanwhile, how much you make can also depend on the area of practice you’re in.

“If you’re working for refugees and helping them out, well you’re likely going to have a lower rate per hour than if you’re working in corporate law merging companies together,” Tardif says.

That being said, Tardif also stresses that no matter what practice you stick with, if you work hard and are the best in the business, the money will follow. But while jobs may be available now, that may not always be the case, she warns.

“I have seen people practicing law because of the money, but ended up hating it and leaving eventually,” Tardif said. “It’s not a 37.5 hour per week job, it can be up to 50 hours a week. So make sure it’s something you want to do.”

Sponsored

Trade Smarter, Today

Build your own investment portfolio with the CIBC Investor's Edge online and mobile trading platform and enjoy low commissions. Get 100 free trades and $200 or more cash back until March 31, 2025.

Amy Legate-Wolfe Freelance Contributor

Amy Legate-Wolfe is an investment junkie, who aims to help others get hooked by providing well-researched advice. After receiving a masters in journalism from Western University, Amy worked for Huff Post and CTVNews.ca, while freelancing for organizations such as the CBC, Motley Fool Canada and Financial Post. Amy Legate-Wolfe is an experienced personal finance writer and freelance contributor working with Money.ca.

Explore the latest articles

Can you pay the CRA with a credit card?

Can you pay your taxes using a credit card? Yes, but that doesn’t mean you should. Here’s what to consider before swiping for the taxman

Leanne Armstrong Contributor

Disclaimer

The content provided on Money.ca is information to help users become financially literate. It is neither tax nor legal advice, is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, either express or implied, with respect to the data provided, the timeliness thereof, the results to be obtained by the use thereof or any other matter. Advertisers are not responsible for the content of this site, including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any advertiser product, please visit their website.

†Terms and Conditions apply.