Is this the Vault list rankings? Why do you use the Vault list? What are the criteria? I think the AmLaw 100 is a better one

This is awesome Dave... thank you! Perhaps one other version of the list would be the firms on the list who have the largest NYC presence, but have not matched.

Ropes match.

We are pleased to announce adjustments to 2007 base compensation rates for partnership-track associates as follows:

Class Base Salary Base Salary

New York Office Other Offices

2006 $160,000 $145,000

2005 $170,000 $155,000

2004 $185,000 $175,000

2003 $210,000 $200,000

2002 $230,000 $225,000

2001 $250,000 $250,000

Base salaries for associates in more senior classes are set individually as usual. All adjustments are effective as of January 1 and will be reflected in March pay.

The bonus portion of associate compensation will be determined at year-end. As always, our focus will be on total compensation. We will set bonuses to produce total compensation that reflects individual contribution, firm success, market compensation and, in the case of associates in their first two full years, the considerations mentioned in our email to associates dated January 4, 2007.

Ropes & Gray is extremely proud of its position in the legal marketplace. Our lawyers and clients are at the forefront of the profession in numerous practice areas. We are extremely grateful for the extraordinary effort that associates make to the firm’s success.

________________________

R. Bradford Malt

Ropes & Gray LLP

One International Place

Boston, MA 02110

Thanks 11:02. I have been been telling people for the last week that Ropes has matched, but without the memo to prove it no one seemed to care (not that I can blame them). Hopefully now ATL will make it "official" and everyone will stop whining.

David - The link for A&P does not cite whether NYC was boosted to $160K. It only discusses the DC salaries. Do you know what's what with NYC? Anyone know?

Freshfields NY matched, but it wasn't retroactive to the Jan 1.

Sorry, I don't have a memo to post, but I heard it directly from a friend there.

Cooley Godward Kronish matched on February 5th:

2007 Base Salaries
We are pleased to announce the following 2007 base salaries for associates in the deemed classes of 1999-2006 who are meeting the performance expectations for a member of their particular class. Base salaries for associates in deemed classes of 1998 and more senior, as well as for special counsel, will be set on an individual basis. The difference between an associate’s or special counsel’s 2006 base salary and 2007 base salary will be paid retroactive to January 1, 2007.
Associate Class CA/DC/VA Offices CO Office NY Office
1st Year (’06) $145,000 $145,000 $160,000
2nd Year (’05) $155,000 $150,000 $170,000
3rd Year (’04) $170,000 $160,000 $185,000
4th Year (’03) $190,000 $180,000 $210,000
5th Year (’02) $210,000 $200,000 $225,000
6th Year (’01) $225,000 $215,000 $235,000
7th Year (’00) $240,000 $230,000 $250,000
8th Year (’99) $250,000 $240,000 $260,000

Any confirmation of Jones Day Dallas? No one has disputed to this point so I assume it is true, but it would be nice to know for sure.

Anonymous 11:16am is correct. Freshfields NY matched, but did not make the increase retroactive.

Didn't someone post a salary scale for Finnegan Henderson saying they had raised to 160K for 1st years?

That would have been in response to Fish & Richardson's blanket raise, and may have an impact on the IP market nationwide.

Is there no memo confirming Pillsbury's match?

Wachtell is not on either list. For them, does it really matter since they give out such huge bonuses?

Talk about List of SHame, what about the salaries of NYS Supreme Court Justices?

EmilyJaneGoodman
(a NYS SUpreme Court Justice)

Talk about List of SHame, what about the salaries of NYS Supreme Court Justices?

EmilyJaneGoodman
(a NYS SUpreme Court Justice)

Talk about List of SHame, what about the salaries of NYS Supreme Court Justices?

EmilyJaneGoodman
(a NYS SUpreme Court Justice)

I think Irell is at $145 already; they just haven't raised to $160. http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1169200947627

Will you do the same thing for Chicago, please?

Does anyone know what the Ropes memo dated January 4 2007 said?

Footnote 1: WLRK to $165K? Interesting (although not relevant at all for the rest of us).

I wouldn't be ashamed to work at any of these companies. They should hire more tier 2 grads.

According to this post on Greedy IP, Finnegan has matched $160k:

http://www.infirmation.com/bboard/clubs-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=0036y9

"Confirmed" here:

http://www.infirmation.com/bboard/clubs-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=0036zG

Take it for what it's worth.

I would hang from my testicles to work at any of the firms on this list, even if they don't match.

Instead, I will be with some toilet firm.

I would hang from my testicles to work at any of the firms on this list, even if they don't match.

Instead, I will be with some toilet firm.

Prior to the increases, Boies Schiller paid more than the new Simpson salary structure, and they pay more in all of their offices. They don't belong on the list of shame.

Here's the REAL list of shame - NYC based law firms that have not matched yet:

Thelen Reid
Kelley Drye

That is all.

ATL, the next Skaddenfreude topic: Clerkship bonuses for 1 & 2 yr clerkships. I noticed that Latham advertises on its website a bonus of 35K for 1 yr clerkships. That seems above market, but it's hard to tell. There is less transparency in clerkship bonuses than in other areas of associate compensation. Shine the light, ATL, shine the light.....

Greedy clerks need you.

What about Greenberg Traurig? They matched 160 in NY on the first day, but haven't said a word since then about any other offices. Any info? They're never included in the lists.

What about Greenberg Traurig? They matched 160 in NY on the first day, but haven't said a word since then about any other offices. Any info? They're never included in the lists.

Have a friend who is a partner at Boies Schiller...they pay $160k or more in all of their offices...shouldn't be on the list...

I second the call for Skaddenfreuding clerkship bonuses. This would be a valuable public service for ATL to undertake.

I third the motion re: clerkship bonuses. Not that I'm acting out of self interest or anything...

Yes, we need to see clerkship bonuses. It appears that a discrepancy has developed between the NY-based firms (most are around $15K) and some of the CA-based firms like Latham (now around $35K).

Hi, Irell does not count. While they are at $145 for first years the rest of their scale is well below the LA/DC/CHI $145-$155 etc scale

As a current federal appellate law clerk fielding offers from several firms, the clerkship bonus is pretty standard: 35k. Some firms also pay an additional signing bonus or stipend of 10k, and other don't. This 35k bonus seems to be the rule for virtually all firms. The only divergent firm I can think of is Susman Godfrey, which pays 50k. I imagine a couple other firms also depart upwards, but not sure which. This bonus is generally the same for fed. district clerks as well, but not state clerks.

Williams & Connolly apparently only pays a $25k clerkship bonus.

L2L... You don't get it. The people on this board who are complaining about their firm not raising are annoyed b/c they were qualified to get jobs at some peer firms but were screwed over. (Boies Shilller people should be spitting mad, since that firm is really selective). You, on hte other hand, are not qualified to work at any firm. They shouldn't hire more T2 grads - they should pay qualified people more. That is how they stay the top firms.

Davis Polk's clerkship bonus is only $15K. I believe that is also the case for Sullivan & Cromwell, Simpson Thacher, and other top NY-based firms.

http://www.dpw.com/careers/summerfaq.htm#11

L2L,

We collectively apologize to you for making whatever decisions we did to end up here. Please leave us alone.

Better yet, disenroll and put the money you save toward getting a real estate license or opening a bar.

Munger matched the Latham $145K scale by printed memo last week.

Add Curtis Mallet

ATL: a discussion of where the market'll settle outside of NYC would be useful. I cite the gaps in DC and CA (some firms going to $145, some $160; for instance, KE $145 DC, $160LA, Gibson/Latham $145 in both) and wonder where everyone things things'll go in the next year or two.

I would venture to guess that Gibson and Latham, among others, can't afford to stay $15k behind KE in CA, and the same with those at $145 in DC staying behind the $160s...and if these adjustments happen, how does Chicago not move?

Who the hell is Curtis Mallet?

anyone have real confirmation of Finnegan Henderson going to 160 in DC???

Hey, can somebody with a subscription post the text from the Legal Times article called "The Last to Know: Arnold & Porter tells associates about raise." ?? It may have the confirmation that people have been looking for.

Hey L2L,

Don't listen to the a**holes on these boards. I'm on the recruiting committee at my firm and when there's a lot of hiring going on, we consider students with good grades from 2nd tier schools. And this is a top 15 firm so if you're willing to work hard to get a top 100-150 firm, opportunities will be out there eventually. Talk to your recruiting office, send your resume out to friends, etc. Good luck.

Curtis Mallet is in midtown. They tend to lag behind the others in terms of compensation.

does anyone have a copy of confirmation for the foley lardner match?

What happened with Linklaters? Did they match?

white girls with asian guys

I expect many of the List of Shamers will match (at least for junior associates) over the coming weeks. Otherwise they'll face an exodus of associates and a dearth of new recruits.

But they will not match retroactive to January 1. For example, I anticipate my firm (a bona fide List of Shamer) will match effective April 1 so they can squeeze extra profits out of us for their first quarter.

This is what they did last year when we went from $125k to $145k. Everyone else announced in February and made the raise retroactive to a common date. Our firm waited until March to announce and made it effective April 1.

Eventually, it would be a great service if you put together a complete list of firms noting not only who failed to match, but who failed to match retroactively, and who failed to match for their more senior associates.

They did.

2:32 - I'm also at a shamer and we will do nothing until they need to ante up in time for recruiting. Agree about not being retroactive.

exploited,

I know what firm you're talking about. Get out of there asap. Don't wait for this year's bonus, that's how they suck you in.

2:52 --how do you know what firm I am talking about? Just curious. Perhaps its blog telepathy?

because if you're at any firm who's a shamer you should ask yourself what you're doing. Dickstein, Howrey, Baker, Crowell, V&E, wake up.

Reed Smith better get their act together and increase my salary or i'm out

these guys are trying to decide what they have to do in their main offices first ...

70. Hunton & Williams [DECIDING WHAT TO DO IN RICHMOND]

82. Reed Smith [PITTSBURGH]

86. McGuireWoods [RICHMOND]

add Seward & Kissel (NY office has like 120 attorneys I think) to the list o shame

add Seward & Kissel (NY office has like 120 attorneys I think) to the list o shame

3:01 is not the same exploited as 2:32 (I'm 2:32). Imposter!

Reed Smith had better increase in NY and DC. They don't have much of an incentive to increase in pitt office.

3:10 how do you know that

3:10 how do you know about what h&w, mw and rs are waiting for

don't you think that would piss off the main office folks if they raised everyone but the main office?

Those firms are paying well and at a competitive level in those smaller cities. They need to match in nyc and Dc though to compete.

McGuire or Hunton is not going to raise in Richmond unless they have to, same with RS in Pittsburgh.

Seyfarth made a non-announcement announcement.

There's a rumor the ID firm us tier 2 grads will work for just raised from $45k to $50k. *keeps fingers crossed*

didnt troutman raise in va though?...dont you think mw and hunton need to at least match

Mintz matched two weeks ago.

Yes. Can confirm that Mintz matched.

Exploited,

In a twist on the 1Q strategy you mention, last year the firm I'm at waited until about a week before the first summer associates arrived in May to make a raise. That way they could (1) save paying the associates who earn them money the raise for 4 months, and (2) not have the summers telling all their friends that the firm pays below market. (In addition, only 1st and 2nd years got the full 20K raise, more senior associates got less than that, which again would not have been noticed by the summers).

Anyway, it looks like they are pulling the same BS this year. Needless to say, my resume is already out!

mw and hunton will match....they'll just wait until mid-year and won't make it retroactive so they'll screw people over anyway and their bonuses will not meet market.

3:42 is right. In fact, word from one my friends at hunton is that an e-mail has circulated indicating any forthcoming salary increases will occur at the beginning of their fiscal year.

that's standard practice though, 3:48. I mean, all of the other firms raised after their fiscal year. Just because their on a whatever fiscal year doesn't mean anything. If their salary increases normally happen in march or whatever, then why should it be any different this time?

I would imagine i would be upset if i were them, but what are they really missing out on? $1500 after taxes?

Hunton did that with the pay increases last year, too. But for recruitment purposes they raised first year salaries at the begining of the year. From January to April first years were getting paid MORE than second years and even some third years, since that firm has a floating scale pay system. Sucks to be there!

Reed Smith raised salaries in June last year and I expect they'll do it again this year. A smart move to same $ but pretty weak, if you ask me.

3:52 - I'm just reiterating the point 3:42 made. I'm not saying folks should be satisfied because they'll eventually get a raise.

Yea 4:05, Reed Smith shoudn't be weak; they are from pitt.

3:52 -

why should these associates miss out on $1500??? it may not be much to you (and my suspicion is very strong that you are not an associate but a partner), but to people with thousands in debt, it means a slightly nicer vacation.

And I'm sure these firms do not advertise when recruiting that their fiscal years start in the middle of the year so any raises will always have to wait and you will not make as much as everyone else despite our lies to the contrary.

To Loyola 2L:

I am a Loyola grad and work at one of the top Biglaw firms. Some of my classmates are also at Biglaw. There is no reason to feel that you do not have the opportunity to work at Biglaw just because you are a Loyola grad. But you need to be at the Top 10% of your class - so I suggest you stop wasting your time reading this blog and devote more time to studying.

People, "Loyalo 2L" is a running joke. Don't spend time answering his comments, you'll only encourage it.

4:22, I know that. I'm only top 25%.

People, "Loyalo 2L" is a running joke. Don't spend time answering his comments, you'll only encourage it.

1:50 - do you know when that article came out - did a search and found nothing about it

MBHB has gone to $150,000 for 1st years in Chicago (retroactive to 1/1/07). I think this is the top for IP in Chicago. Anyone heard anything about other IP firms?

still no word from dechert? that's one long partners' meeting ...

Can we have a SHAME LIST for DC or Boston offices of firms that have not matched the NY scale??

I second the DC/Chicago/Boston List of Shame.

Memo from Pillsbury:

I am pleased to announce the 2007 salary schedule (attached) for associates and senior associates in our California, Virginia, Washington, DC and New York offices. The adjustments will be retroactive to January 1 and will be reflected in the March 15 payroll. The ADC will work with Practice Section Leaders to review Counsel salaries for 2007. We are reviewing the 2007 bonus program (for associates in offices outside of New York) and will provide you with that information in the next few weeks. We are also continuing to review market data for Houston and our international offices, and anticipate announcing salary schedules for those offices no later than the end of February. On behalf of the Board, I thank you for your efforts this past year and look forward to another successful year in 2007.

James M. Rishwain, Jr. | Firm Chair | Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

CALIFORNIA, VIRGINIA AND WASHINGTON DC:

2006: $145,000
2005: $155,000
2004: $170,000
2003: $190,000
2002: $210,000
SA1: $225,000
SA2: $240,000
SA3: $250,000

NEW YORK:

2006: $160,000
2005: $170,000
2004: $185,000
2003: $210,000
2002: $230,000
SA1: $250,000
SA2: $265,000
SA3: $280,000

FWIW, Townsend & Townsend & Crew (Fenwick-sized west coast IP firm) bumped to $145k this week.

Anyone know anything about compensation changing at Howard Rice?

Dropping Wachtell and Boies (which are understood to be at or above market), the updated List of Shame of Vault 100 firms with NY offices with more than 10 associates:
40. Baker Botts
43. Baker & McKenzie
50. Fulbright & Jaworski
58. Vinson & Elkins
70. Hunton & Williams
75. Nixon Peabody
77. Bryan Cave
82. Reed Smith
83. Dorsey & Whitney
86. McGuireWoods
90. Baker & Hostetler
91. Thelen Reid
92. Mintz Levin
95. Dickstein Shapiro
98. Kelley Drye
100. Seyfarth Shaw

And I would love to see someone run the List of Shame for the AmLaw 100 - just not me. All I did was update and modify someone else's Vault list. Ah, screw it. Here's a rough attempt at the AmLaw List of Shame for firms with NY offices with more than 10 associates (it's up to y'all to fix it up):

3 Baker & McKenzie
33 Reed Smith
36 Fulbright & Jaworski
39 Vinson & Elkins
43 Hunton & Williams
52 Baker Botts
56 Bryan Cave
64 Nixon Peabody
65 McGuireWoods
66 Seyfarth Shaw
68 Dorsey & Whitney
71 Duane Morris
73 Baker & Hostetler
74 Edwards Angell
75 Thelen Reid
80 Dickstein Shapiro
81 Wilson Elser
91 Mintz, Levin
95 Andrews Kurth

The combined list (adding the rankings of firms on both lists for a total point value):

Baker & McKenzie (46)
Fulbright & Jaworski (86)
Baker Botts (92)
Vinson & Elkins (97)
Hunton & Williams (113)
Reed Smith (115)
Bryan Cave (133)
Nixon Peabody (139)
Dorsey & Whitney (151)
McGuireWoods (151)
Baker & Hostetler (163)
Seyfarth Shaw (166)
Thelen Reid (166)
Dickstein Shapiro (175)
Mintz Levin (183)

Anyone know what the bonus is for a Federal Circuit clerkship? I know they are generally higher than bonuses for the other circuits/distrcit courts. Thanks for any info.

Any news re salary for Finnegan Henderson?

Fenwick bumped up to $145 last week.

Fenwick bumped up to $145 last week.

Steptoe bumped up to 145k weeks ago; shouldn't be on List of Shame at all...

Does anyone know what the typical cost of living bumps to associate salaries are if you're working in London, as opposed to New York. Any specific info on Freshfields would be doubly appreciated!

Thanks.