Michael Clayton's Salary


Wouldn't a guy like him be worth close to 7 figures a year to the firm? I had a hard time understanding why one month's salary would be such a big deal to him.

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But apparently he has quite a gambling problem. Also, who knows how much the ex-wife is getting in maintenance and child support.

Michael's life is pretty disorganized, and managing money is not one of his attributes. The fact that he was talked into opening a restaurant, on the advice of his derelict brother, says a lot about his financial skills.

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That's the problem, Michael is a salaried employee NOT an equity partner. Most of the money in law firms flows through the partner equity holdings, not salaries. Michael was guy in low-mid 6 figures with a lot of perks, like a new Mercedes every year and a corner office but he's not getting equity bonus money.

Gambling and debt tapped him out, which is why he borrowed mob money for the restaurant.

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