Associate Compensation Scorecard: Biglaw's 2023 Cash Bash

Where does your firm stand when it comes to salary increases and bonuses? Get all the latest updates.

USA Money MapSince we broke the news of the new $225K salary scale for associates at large law firms in the United States — a trend that was started by Milbank on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, and finally one-upped three weeks later by Cravath on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, complete with higher salaries for midlevel and senior associates — firms are quickly falling in line to match the scale. In addition to these hefty new salaries, Biglaw firms are also rolling out their year-end bonuses. When will your firm announce its new salary and bonus scales for associates?

Today, for your viewing pleasure, we unveil a table of all of the firms that have already matched the new salary scale (or instituted raises, generally, because of the new salary scale) and bonus scale, the date those matches were made, the minimum hours required to receive bonuses (if available), and the date bonuses will be paid. We presume all raises are retroactive to January 1, 2024. We will be updating this table on a daily basis, sometimes multiple times, as news on raises and bonuses unfolds. If you see any information here that is incorrect or needs clarification, let us know.

We are covering this trend extensively, so please drop us a line — text (646-820-8477) or email (subject line: “[Firm Name] Matches”) — when you know of a firm making a compensation move. Please include the memo if available. You can take a photo of the memo and send it via text or email if you don’t want to forward the original PDF or Word file. Sources are kept confidential.

Don’t forget, if you’d like to sign up for ATL’s Bonus Alerts, please enter your email address in the box below. If you previously signed up for the bonus alerts, you don’t need to do anything. You’ll receive an email notification within minutes of each compensation announcement that we publish. Cheers to a happy bonus and raise season, everyone!

Firm Salaries Bonuses Minimum Hours Bonus Payout Date
Milbank
FIRST MOVER
November 7, 2023
December 5, 2023 (re-raise)
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K
Class of 2016: $115K
None December 31, 2023
Wilkinson Stekloff
November 20, 2023
Undisclosed Class of 2023: $26.25K
Class of 2016+: $201.25K
None December 15, 2023
Cravath
NEW MARKET LEADER
November 28, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2017: $420K
Class of 2023: $15K
Class of 2017: $105K
None December 15, 2023
McDermott
November 28, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K
Class of 2016+: $115K
2000 hours Undisclosed
Paul Hastings
November 28, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K
Class of 2016+: $115K
2000 hours February 9, 2024
Paul, Weiss
November 29, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K
Class of 2016: $115K
Addt’l discretionary bonuses in 2024
None Undisclosed
Baker McKenzie
November 29, 2023
Class of 2024: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2022: $15K
Class of 2016+: $115K
Undisclosed; Addt’l “premium” bonuses for those who “materially exceeded” billables February 9, 2024
Proskauer
November 29, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2015: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2015: $115K
None December 22, 2023
Dechert
November 29, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2022: $20K
Class of 2016+: $115K
1950 hours (client billable, pro bono, firm as client, maximum of 50 community hours); associates who exceeded hours expectations eligible to receive an “extraordinary” bonus (i.e., 2200 hours = addt’l 30%; 2400+ hours = addt’l 40%) Undisclosed
Hogan Lovells
November 29, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2022: $20K
Class of 2016+: $115K
2000 hours (including up to 150 pro bono hours until associates meet 1850 hours, then unlimited pro bono hours, and including up to 50 D&I hours, if they have billed at least 1800 hours; additional bonuses available for those who exceed hours minimums) Last pay period in 2023
Skadden
November 29, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K
Class of 2016+: $115K or $125K
1800 “productive hours” (including unlimited pro bono time and up to 150 hours of productive non-billable work) Undisclosed
Cleary
November 29, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016+: $115K
None December 22, 2023
Sidley
November 30, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2015: $445K
Class of 2022: $20K
Class of 2015+: $115K
2000 hours required for base bonuses; associates with “higher productivity and/or exceptional performance” will receive additional bonuses Prior to December 31, 2023
Davis Polk
November 30, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K
Class of 2016+: $115K
None Undisclosed
Fried Frank
November 30, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016+: $115K
1850-1999 hours for up to 25% of full bonus; 2000-2199 hours for full bonus; 2200-2449 hours for full bonus plus 15% premium; 2450+ hours for full bonus plus 30% premium; premiums range from $3,000 to $34,500 On or before December 31, 2023
Norton Rose Fulbright
November 30, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016: $435K
TBA Undisclosed TBA
Mayer Brown
November 30, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016+: $115K
NY: 1900 client equivalent hours; Outside NY: 2000 hours for base bonus, stub years not included (1900 CE hours required); 2100 hours for $23K-$132.25K, 2200 hours for $24K-$138K, 2300 hours for $26K-$149.5K February 16, 2024
Kirkland
November 30, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2018: $390K
TBA None TBA
Willkie
November 30, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016: $115K
None December 29, 2023
Holwell Shuster
November 30, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2017: $420K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2017: $105K
None On or before December 31, 2023
Akin Gump
November 30, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016+: $115K
1950 hours (including pro bono hours, general counsel hours, business development hours, and up to 100 hours of time spent on recruiting, diversity & inclusion, and/or innovation activities); associates with “exceptional” performance will receive larger bonuses February 2024
O’Melveny
November 30, 2023
1st Year Assocs: $225K
3rd Year Counsel: $435K
Class of 2022: $20K
Class of 2016+: $115K
None Undisclosed
Debevoise
November 30, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016+: $115K
None Undisclosed
Vinson & Elkins
November 30, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016+: $115K
Based on hours and good standing; “supplemental bonuses” available for associates who had an “exceptional year” January 31, 2024
Simpson Thacher
November 30, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016: $115K
None December 29, 2023
Covington
December 1, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016+: $115K
Undisclosed Undisclosed
Baker Botts
December 1, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2022: $20K
Class of 2016+: $115K
Based on hours (“enhanced” bonuses available for “exceptional” performance) Undisclosed
Yetter Coleman
December 1, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2017+: $420K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2017+: $105K
1850 hours for partial bonus (including up to 100 pro bono hours); 2050 hours for full bonus (including up to 120 pro bono hours, up to 10 diversity & inclusion hours, and up to 10 professional development hours) December 18, 2023
Gibson Dunn
December 1, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016+: $115K
Undisclosed Undisclosed
Morgan Lewis
December 1, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016: $115K
1900+ hours (20 of which must be pro bono hours) Undisclosed
Clifford Chance
December 4, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016+: $115K
None (based on overall performance, quality of work, contributions to firm, teamwork, and pro bono) January 12, 2024
AZA
December 4, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2020: $310K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2020: $57.5K
None (based on overall performance; elder class years also have the chance to receive salary and bonus matches, but they must be “strong performers”) Undisclosed
Boies Schiller
December 4, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016+: $115K
For market bonuses: 2000-2349 hours for regular bonus; 2350-2599 hours for extraordinary bonus (last year was $30K (pro-rated)-$150K); 2600+ hours for extra-extraordinary bonus (last year was $40K (pro-rated)-$165K); formula bonuses up to $300K or more) Week of December 4, 2023
Weil Gotshal
December 4, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016+: $115K
None January 31, 2024
Fish & Richardson
December 4, 2023
A1: $225K
A7: $420K
Individualized 2100 hours (including up to 200 pro bono/DEI hours) or strongest reviews based on quality of work; above-market bonuses for “a number of associates” Undisclosed
Ropes & Gray
December 4, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2015+: $445K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2015+: $130K
1900 creditable hours (increased bonuses for associates who annualized above hourly target) December 22, 2023
White & Case
December 4, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016: $115K
Eligibility criteria detailed in separate memo February 14, 2024
Winston & Strawn
December 4, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016+: $115K
2000 hours for market bonus (additional bonus money for associates who “substantially exceed” productivity goals) January 31, 2024
DLA Piper
December 5, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016+: $115K
Based on seniority, performance rating (3, 4 or 5), and total bonus hours (2000 hours, 1850 of which must be client billable, with up to 150 approved non-billable hours, including pro bono, shadowing, and knowledge management hours); incremental increases for 2100+ hours Undisclosed
Fenwick & West
December 5, 2023
Tier 1/Level 1: $225K
Tier 3: $420K+
Tier 1/Level 1: $15K
Tier 3: $115K
1950 hours (“Triple R” rewards for associates who bill 2100+ hours, ranging from $3K to $12K; condominium program rewards for associates who made “extraordinary contributions” to the firm) December 29, 2023
Cadwalader
December 6, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2015: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2015: $115K
Additional bonuses “equal to 120% of [market bonuses]” for high billers with 2200 hours or more February 2024
Cahill
December 6, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2015: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2015: $115K
Special bonuses ranging from $2.5K (class of 2022) to $40K (class of 2015) Undisclosed
Massumi + Consoli LLP
December 6, 2023
Class Year 1: $225K
Class Year 6: $390K
TBA 1900 hours (associates participate in “phantom equity” program that adds more bonus cash to their compensation) Undisclosed
Arnold & Porter
December 7, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016+: $115K
Based on hours (10% additional class-year bonus for 2400-2499 hours; 15% additional class-year bonus for 2500-2599 hours; 20% additional class-year bonus for 2600+ hours) January 31, 2024
Sheppard Mullin
December 7, 2023
A1: $225K
C2: $435K
A1: $20K
C2: $115K
2000 hours for base bonus (associates who record 1950 hours will receive a partial bonuse; associates who record 2200 and 2400 hours will receive 110% and 120% of the market bonus) January 26, 2024
Allen & Overy
December 7, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016: $425K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016: $115K
None Undisclosed
Herbert Smith Freehills
December 8, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016: $115K
Undisclosed January 12, 2024
Shearman & Sterling
December 8, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016+: $115K
Undisclosed January 31, 2024
Freshfields
December 8, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016+: $115K
None December 29, 2023
Susman Godfrey
December 11, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2021: $150K
Class of 2014: $350K
(medians)
None (all employees will also receive special bonuses on top of their year-end bonuses) Undisclosed
Pillsbury
December 11, 2023
First-Years: $225K
Counsel: $435K
First-Years: $15K (pro-rated)
Counsel: $115K
Undisclosed (top performers at the firm could earn an additional super bonus ($50,000) on top of market bonuses) Undisclosed
Ross Aronstam
December 12, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016: $115K
None December 15, 2023
Selendy Gay Elsberg
December 12, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2023: $17.25K
Class of 2016+: $132.5K
None (some associates will receive even more bonus money based on “holistic assessment of performance, hours, and commitment to the firm”; some associates received bonuses more than 60% above market) December 15, 2023
Hueston Hennigan
December 12, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
All associates in good standing reportedly received above-market bonuses (with some topping $200K) Based on class year, hours, and good standing Undisclosed
Schulte Roth & Zabel
December 12, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2015: $445K
Class of 2023: $15K
Class of 2014: $115K
2000 hours; below 1600 hours, associates receive $5K bonus; at 1600 hours, associates receive 50% of bonus; step-up bonuses from $2.5K to $15K for reaching 2300 hours, 2500 hours, and 2700 hours (potential max bonuses of $27.5K to $160K) January 22, 2024
Sullivan & Cromwell
December 12, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016: $115K
Undisclosed Undisclosed
Seward & Kissel
December 13, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2022: $20K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016+: $115K
Undisclosed First quarter of 2024
Glenn Agre
December 13, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016: $435K
Class of 2022: $20K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016: $115K
Undisclosed (associates eligible to receive a “premium” on top of regular bonus based on “extraordinary dedication and/or performance”) December 15, 2023
Bracewell
December 13, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
TBA Undisclosed TBA
Morrison & Foerster
December 13, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016+: $115K
Undisclosed; additional bonuses for high billers plus individualized merit bonuses February 15, 2024
Lowenstein Sandler
December 13, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2021: $260K
Class of 2020+: Black box
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016+: $115K
1950 hours (firm’s bonus scale rewards only the highest performers with market rates; additional bonus money for highest billers (2250+ hours) Undisclosed
Linklaters
December 14, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2022: $20K
Class of 2016+: $115K
None December 29, 2023
Gjerset & Lorenz
December 14, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K
Class of 2016: $115K
1900 hours (2000 hours for $20K-$130K; 2100 $27.5K-$150K; 2200 hours for $35K-$165K); the firm also awards individualized merit bonuses on top of regular bonuses On or before December 31, 2023
Kramer Levin
December 15, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016+: $115K
Eligible associates in good standing will receive bonuses February 15, 2024
Katten
December 15, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $420K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016+: $115K
2000 hours (2100 hours for $22K-$126.5K; 2200 hours for $24K-$138K; 2300 hours for $26.5K-$149.5K; 2400 hours for $31K-$172.5K); additional “superstar” bonuses available Undisclosed
Choate
December 15, 2023
First Years: $225K
Second Year+ Principals: $435K
TBA Undisclosed Undisclosed
Williams & Connolly
December 15, 2023
Class of 2023: $250K
Class of 2016+: $455K
TBA Undisclosed Undisclosed
McKool Smith
December 15, 2023
Class of 2023: $230K
Class of 2017: $420K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016+: $115K
Undisclosed; high billers will receive additional bonus money Undisclosed
Foley & Lardner
December 15, 2023
Class of 2024: $225K
Senior Counsel: $420K
TBA Undisclosed Undisclosed
Orrick
December 18, 2023
Assoc. Year 1: $225K
Senior Assoc. Year 2+: $435K
TBA Undisclosed Undisclosed
Alston & Bird
December 18, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2017: $420K
Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016+: $115K
2000 hours (additional bonuses available for those billing over 2200 hours and on a case-by-case basis to those making extraordinary non-billable contributions to the firm) March 2024
Quinn Emanuel
December 18, 2023
TBA Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016+: $115K
2000-2099 hours for $10K-$76.6K; 2100-2399 hours for base bonus; 2400-2699 hours for $18K-$138K; 2700+ hours for $20.25K-$155.25K (the firm also awarded special bonuses to associates in October 2023) December 22, 2023
Perry Law
December 19, 2023
Class of 2023: $230K
Class of 2016+: $440K
Class of 2023: $20K
Class of 2016+: $120K
Undisclosed (some year-end bonuses have exceeded class year amounts by more than double) December 21, 2023
Tensegrity
December 20, 2023
Undisclosed Class of 2023: $22.5K
Class of 2016+: $172.5K
Undisclosed (associates will receive “above ‘market’ bonuses at 150% of market rates”) January 31, 2024
Irell
December 20, 2023
Undisclosed Class of 2023: $45K (pro-rated)
Class of 2016+: $175K
Undisclosed (“total bonuses … (spring plus end of year 2023) average more than twice the total market bonuses being paid by most other high-end firms”) December 22, 2023
Goodwin
December 21, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2022: $20K
Class of 2016+: $115K
1950 hours (additional bonus money for those who billed “materially higher” hours) Late January 2024
Latham
December 21, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2015+: $445K
TBA TBA TBA
King & Spalding
December 21, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2017+: $420K
TBA 1950 hours (additional bonus money for every 100 hours billed over the firm’s minimum hours target) TBA
Hunton Andrews Kurth
December 21, 2023
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2023: up to $15K
Class of 2016+: up to $115K
Undisclosed (associates must meet performance expectations with regard to their commitment, quality of work, productivity, and overall economic and firm contribution) April 1, 2024
Wilson Sonsini
January 4, 2024
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2022: $15K
Class of 2015+: $115K
1950 hours (first 40 hours of vacation time included as billable time) January 31, 2024
WilmerHale
January 24, 2024
Class of 2023: $225K
Class of 2016+: $435K
Class of 2023: pro-rated
Class of 2022: $20K
Class of 2015+: $125K
2000 hours February 2024
Seyfarth
February 6, 2024
Class of 2023: $210K
Class of 2016+: $340K
TBA 1950 hours TBA
Perkins Coie
February 14, 2024
Class of 2023/24: $225K
Class of 2017+: $420K
TBA Junior associates (classes 1-3) will receive raises automatically; midlevel and senior associates must have met prior year’s 1950-hour goal to receive a raise; if a midlevel or senior associate hits 2000 hours in 2024, they will receive a bonus equal to the raise amount to be made whole TBA
Reed Smith
March 20, 2024
JNR 1: $225K
SNR 3 A: $415K
SNR 3 B: #375K
TBA Associates who bill 2,000 hours or more will be placed in Salary Level A, while associates who bill less than 2,000 hours will be placed in Salary Level B; if an associate in Salary Level B is able to attain 2,000 hours, they’ll receive a bonus equal to the difference between the B scale and the A scale TBA

Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter and Threads or connect with her on LinkedIn.


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