Recession will hit local lawyers in the wallet

Nearly half, or 48.6 percent, of local lawyers expect to earn less in 2009 than they did in 2008 because of the recession, according to a survey from the Massachusetts Bar Association.

And slightly more than half, or 51.3 percent, of survey respondents think that the current downturn will not end until 2010, the MBA said.

Those findings are based on a survey that the MBA e-mailed to its members in December; the 13-question survey focused on how the current economic climate is affecting lawyers' practices.

Most of the survey respondents have been practicing law for more than 20 years and make an annual salary of between $100,000 and $200,000, said the MBA, which added that just more than half of the survey takers work for a firm employing fewer than 25 attorneys.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)