Survey Partners

Conducted By

TOPICS COVERED IN THIS SURVEY

Compensation and Career related matters including

  • Base Salary
  • Bonuses Options
  • Benefits
  • Compensation and Work Satisfaction
  • Work-Life Balance
  • Career Mobility
  • Demographic Data
  • Diversity Disparity
  • Changes caused by the Covid-19 pandemic

2022 SURVEY RESULTS

To receive a copy of the 2022 survey results, please email compsurvey@thecounselnetwork.com

National Average Base Salary

The results show that national average base salary stands at $180,000, which is noticeably higher compared to the $167,500 reported in 2020. Ontario respondents report average base salaries above the national average. British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec are close to the average, while Central and Atlantic Canada lag behind the national average.

Gender Wage Gap

The results showed that women continue to be paid less than men in the same roles in the legal profession. In 2022, female in-house counsel report an average base salary $24,000 less than male in-house counsel, a steep rise compared to the $19,000 reported in 2020 (pre-pandemic). The most substantial gaps continue to be seen at higher wage levels with 42% of males receiving a mean salary of over $200,000 compared to 19% of females who earn the same amount.

COVID 19 PANDEMIC IMPACT

The 2022 results, conducted during the pandemic, showed that 65% of in-house counsel are very/somewhat satisfied with work-life balance, a near 10% decrease from 2020’s pre-pandemic score of 74%. Most respondents expressed a decline in mental health and wellbeing due to the pandemic. In total, more than half of respondents have some sort of additional care responsibilities. Of those, 81% have shared these responsibilities and 19% have handled them alone. Twenty-four percent of females are taking sole responsibility for added responsibilities, vs. 14% of males.

The report has become a go-to resource for in-house counsel and HR professionals seeking reliable compensation data for the Canadian in-house counsel market.

About The Counsel Network

The Counsel Network, the most respected, connected and powerful lawyer recruitment firm in Canada, has specialized in providing the Canadian legal market with comprehensive, long-term talent management solutions for law firms and a vast array of in-house clients since 1988. On October 3, 2022, the firm merged with international retained executive search firm Caldwell, bringing together two strong executive search brands with exceptional reputations borne of a true passion for achieving the best results for clients and candidates. Our partners have advised the profession through economic cycles and unprecedented changes in the industry, building careers, firms, in-house law departments and, ultimately, success in the process. Now backed by international resources and reach, we take a team-based approach – ensuring clients find the best talent for their teams and candidates find the best position for their next career move. We believe every client deserves more than a transactional experience with their recruiter.

  • WE ARE TRUSTED ADVISORS
  • WE VALUE RELATIONSHIPS
  • WE ARE DISTINGUISHED IN THE LEGAL FIELD
  • WE ARE KNOWLEDGE LEADERS

2022 REPORT TESTIMONIALS

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Gender wage gap has increased, ethnic diversity is still a challenge, natural resources mining and forestry remains the highest paying industry, and work-life balance satisfaction decreased during the pandemic.

Dal Bhathal

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Sixty-three percent of this year’s survey respondents named the survey as a key source of information for industry compensation. The survey provides key information on compensation, benefits, work hours, and job satisfaction for in-house counsel.

Sameera Sereda

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The legal profession continues to identify the need to build diversity, and the survey results back up that need with these statistics.

Dal Bhathal, Managing Partner of The Counsel Network

FAQs

What makes The Counsel Network’s Survey and Report different from others?

Since the inaugural In-House Counsel Compensation & Career Survey in 2009, the survey has become the most respected and comprehensive of its kind in the country. It contains almost 100 pages of easily accessible data and is highly valued by in-house counsel and human resources departments. Data includes, National Trends regarding In-House Counsel Compensation, Base Salary by Employment History, Age, Tenure, Type of Employer, In-Depth Look at Provinces and Territories, Changes in Compensation.

Respondents based?

Across Canada, from coast to coast.

When was the first Survey conducted?

2009 with further additions in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022

Who uses the Survey?

In-House Counsel to know their worth, HR, GC's and employers to benchmark compensation for their In-House Counsel.