A source at at Weil, Gotshal & Manges just forwarded us this email, which made the rounds at 4:46 PM Eastern time:

As you know, announcements regarding year-end associate bonuses have been made by a few large New York firms. Many of our peer firms have yet to make an announcement. As has been our practice, we will not finalize year-end associate bonuses until early January. However, we wanted to let you know before year-end that the Firm's 2006 U.S. associate bonuses will not be less than 2005 U.S. associate bonuses. U.S. associate bonuses will be paid on January 26, 2007.

Best wishes for a happy holiday.

Perhaps this is good news, insofar as it leaves the door open -- even if just barely -- to above-market bonuses.

We have to run; we'll be back later tonight. Hence the open thread. If any major announcements come down the pike while we're gone, you know what to do. Thanks.

Earlier: Prior ATL coverage of bonuses (scroll down)