More complaints about newly-minted associates’ rates than about partners’ rates

A profile in Executive Legal Adviser, Nov./Dec. 2005 at 31, quotes Michael B. Clark, general counsel of Steves & Sons: “I think young associates are making way too much money for what they are competent to handle. This is one of the biggest complaints I hear form other in-house lawyers – that we feel we have to pay for inflated young lawyer salaries.”

What if a law department refused to pay for any work done by first and second year associates, or mandated some less draconian reduction? What would law firms do? In olden days, partners’ rates bundled in the costs of their apprentice juniors.