Comments on: Agencies Are Paying Different Wage Rates For People On the Same Project http://www.myattorneyblog.com/agencies-are-paying-different-wage-rates-for-people-on-the-same-project/ The Life of a Contract Attorney in Temp Town, Washington D.C. Mon, 09 Aug 2010 17:50:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: BrooklynNellie http://www.myattorneyblog.com/agencies-are-paying-different-wage-rates-for-people-on-the-same-project/comment-page-1/#comment-292 BrooklynNellie Mon, 14 Jan 2008 06:49:17 +0000 http://www.myattorneyblog.com/agencies-are-paying-different-wage-rates-for-people-on-the-same-project/#comment-292 Forcing the employer to pay everyone the same -- collective bargaining or antitrust violation? Forcing the employer to pay everyone the same — collective bargaining or antitrust violation?

]]> By: Jaded JD http://www.myattorneyblog.com/agencies-are-paying-different-wage-rates-for-people-on-the-same-project/comment-page-1/#comment-265 Jaded JD Wed, 09 Jan 2008 19:52:06 +0000 http://www.myattorneyblog.com/agencies-are-paying-different-wage-rates-for-people-on-the-same-project/#comment-265 I’ve always analogized the DC temp lawyer debacle to the Pimp/Whore scenario. Everyone knows that the pimps (agencies) love the young whores (new contract lawyers). They are impressionable, and have not been jaded by the system yet. Once they (agencies/pimps) bring them in by paying a higher rate, they’ve locked them into the prostitution ring. Subsequently, as time goes on and they become old used up whores, the ‘ho’s’ are more likely to take whatever rate is presented; as long as they’re based upon promises of longevity. “Look bitch, I’m gonna pay you $28/hour. Now, you know how long you’ve been my ‘ho’?! Don’t worry; I’m looking out for YOU. You know how much money we’ve made together? This project may go for three months!” Hell, THREE rent checks in that god-forsaken overpriced evil town is like gold. I’ve always analogized the DC temp lawyer debacle to the Pimp/Whore scenario. Everyone knows that the pimps (agencies) love the young whores (new contract lawyers). They are impressionable, and have not been jaded by the system yet. Once they (agencies/pimps) bring them in by paying a higher rate, they’ve locked them into the prostitution ring. Subsequently, as time goes on and they become old used up whores, the ‘ho’s’ are more likely to take whatever rate is presented; as long as they’re based upon promises of longevity.

“Look bitch, I’m gonna pay you $28/hour. Now, you know how long you’ve been my ‘ho’?! Don’t worry; I’m looking out for YOU. You know how much money we’ve made together? This project may go for three months!”

Hell, THREE rent checks in that god-forsaken overpriced evil town is like gold.

]]> By: Vinny C. http://www.myattorneyblog.com/agencies-are-paying-different-wage-rates-for-people-on-the-same-project/comment-page-1/#comment-122 Vinny C. Fri, 23 Nov 2007 06:37:28 +0000 http://www.myattorneyblog.com/agencies-are-paying-different-wage-rates-for-people-on-the-same-project/#comment-122 While I don't totally agree with the tone of John's comment, I kinda agree with the sentiment. There should be fluctuating wage rates. I'll concede that it seems unfair for two attorneys to do the exact same thing for the exact same temp agency and get paid differently. But, I do think that different temp agencies should have the option of having different wages, even if multiple agencies are staffing the same project. I've read a comment (maybe even on this very same blog) complaining about how all the agencies seem to collude to set a fixed price for contract attorneys. I'd like to see more competition. In my geographical area, there does seem to be some variation in wages. I don't like it when agencies all gang up together and decide "okay, $30 is it. We're all going to pay that rate and none of us are going to pay any higher." Let the markets figure it out. The temp agencies that pay the best will undoubtedly do the best, and perhaps other agencies will follow suit. Otherwise, there will never be wage rises. While I don’t totally agree with the tone of John’s comment, I kinda agree with the sentiment. There should be fluctuating wage rates.

I’ll concede that it seems unfair for two attorneys to do the exact same thing for the exact same temp agency and get paid differently. But, I do think that different temp agencies should have the option of having different wages, even if multiple agencies are staffing the same project. I’ve read a comment (maybe even on this very same blog) complaining about how all the agencies seem to collude to set a fixed price for contract attorneys. I’d like to see more competition. In my geographical area, there does seem to be some variation in wages. I don’t like it when agencies all gang up together and decide “okay, $30 is it. We’re all going to pay that rate and none of us are going to pay any higher.” Let the markets figure it out. The temp agencies that pay the best will undoubtedly do the best, and perhaps other agencies will follow suit. Otherwise, there will never be wage rises.

]]> By: John http://www.myattorneyblog.com/agencies-are-paying-different-wage-rates-for-people-on-the-same-project/comment-page-1/#comment-119 John Thu, 22 Nov 2007 06:58:22 +0000 http://www.myattorneyblog.com/agencies-are-paying-different-wage-rates-for-people-on-the-same-project/#comment-119 Wow, what a stupid comment. Go back to Russia and join the communist revolution. This is america and you are only worth what you are willing to accept. Taking the lower rate is your short comings. Probably why you are working with headphones on. Take charge of your life and career by getting what you are worth based on what you are worth not others. Welcome to capitalism already in progess.. Wow, what a stupid comment. Go back to Russia and join the communist revolution. This is america and you are only worth what you are willing to accept. Taking the lower rate is your short comings. Probably why you are working with headphones on. Take charge of your life and career by getting what you are worth based on what you are worth not others. Welcome to capitalism already in progess..

]]> By: Jaded http://www.myattorneyblog.com/agencies-are-paying-different-wage-rates-for-people-on-the-same-project/comment-page-1/#comment-98 Jaded Thu, 15 Nov 2007 12:18:29 +0000 http://www.myattorneyblog.com/agencies-are-paying-different-wage-rates-for-people-on-the-same-project/#comment-98 It's an obvious point. The piece is too long and lacking in punch. It’s an obvious point. The piece is too long and lacking in punch.

]]> By: Joseph Miller http://www.myattorneyblog.com/agencies-are-paying-different-wage-rates-for-people-on-the-same-project/comment-page-1/#comment-92 Joseph Miller Tue, 13 Nov 2007 16:15:26 +0000 http://www.myattorneyblog.com/agencies-are-paying-different-wage-rates-for-people-on-the-same-project/#comment-92 I have never seen this phenomonon arise on projects where everyone is similarly situated, as far as credentials are concerned. But I have seen it on one project where some of the team members were D.C. barred and some were not. The evil there is that you have D.C. barred attorneys and non-D.C.-barred attorneys doing the same work. If a project team is under the supervision of an associate, there is no reason why they should have to be D.C. barred in order to do rote, document review. Project attorneys who are D.C. barred, on the other hand, should be able to take on higher level work. But the ethics opinion on Rule 49 that pertains to contract attorneys states that the turning factor in determining whether an attorney is engaged in the practice of law is whether they are being billed out as an attorney--not the type of work that they are performing. So an attorney can be doing the same work as a paralegal, but if the attorney is being billed out as a lawyer, then the attorney is engaged in the practice of law. But no one has said what the magic number is. In drafting its opinion, I wonder if the ethics committee enlisted any contract attorneys to advise them on how their opinion would affect the competence standards that were outlined in the ABA's 1992 McCrate Report. Maybe you should write to them and ask. I have never seen this phenomonon arise on projects where everyone is similarly situated, as far as credentials are concerned. But I have seen it on one project where some of the team members were D.C. barred and some were not. The evil there is that you have D.C. barred attorneys and non-D.C.-barred attorneys doing the same work.

If a project team is under the supervision of an associate, there is no reason why they should have to be D.C. barred in order to do rote, document review. Project attorneys who are D.C. barred, on the other hand, should be able to take on higher level work.

But the ethics opinion on Rule 49 that pertains to contract attorneys states that the turning factor in determining whether an attorney is engaged in the practice of law is whether they are being billed out as an attorney–not the type of work that they are performing. So an attorney can be doing the same work as a paralegal, but if the attorney is being billed out as a lawyer, then the attorney is engaged in the practice of law.

But no one has said what the magic number is.

In drafting its opinion, I wonder if the ethics committee enlisted any contract attorneys to advise them on how their opinion would affect the competence standards that were outlined in the ABA’s 1992 McCrate Report. Maybe you should write to them and ask.

]]>