Skaddenfreude: 'W' Firms, and Morning Open Thread
We don't have memos, but we can confirm associate pay raises at two large law firms:
(1) D.C. powerhouse Wiley Rein& Fielding, former home of the new White House counsel, Fred Fielding; and(2) Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, home of Silicon Valley legal god Larry Sonsini (although a god who, in the past year or so, has shown signs of being fallible).
More details, plus your comments, after the jump.
WILEY REIN
Yesterday someone posted this comment:
Wiley Rein raised to $145K for first years on the 1950 [billable hours] track, and $125K for first years on the 1800 track. They basically followed Hogan's salary structure, with one or two slight differences in upper-levels.
We have confirmed this with a source at the firm. There's no memo because the news was conveyed orally, at an "all associates" meeting held yesterday. The numbers were projected on a screen for everyone to view.
We have also confirmed that the Wiley Rein scale is consistent with Hogan & Hartson's for the first five years: 145 / 155 / 170 / 190 / 210.
(In case you're curious, "Wiley Rein & Fielding" became "Wiley Rein" effective February 1, 2007. Press release here.)
WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
After seeing a few of your comments, we headed over to Infirmation / Greedy SF / SV, where we found this post:
Scale is below, parantheses indicates rate for high performance rating, which something like 2/3 of eligible associates receive - note that this is retroactive only to Feb 1, not Jan 1 like everyone else (sigh, shake head).
Everywhere but NY:
145
155
170
190
210
215 (225)
225 (240)
240 (250)
250 (260)
New York
160
170
185
210
230
240 (250)
250 (265)
265 (280)
280 (290)
We have independently verified this information with a source at the firm, so you can consider it accurate.
Earlier: Prior ATL coverage of associate pay raises (scroll down)
Comments
Now if only Wropes and Gray would confirm.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 7, 2007 09:39 AM
They are going to 145.5K
Posted by: Anonymous | February 7, 2007 10:06 AM
Ropes was confirmed on Monday with higher non-NYC salaries than others starting with third year. Still not sure why Lat hasn't bothered to headline this.
http://www.infirmation.com/bboard/clubs-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=0036nk
Posted by: Anonymous | February 7, 2007 10:10 AM
Now if only Wirkland & Ellis would raise.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 7, 2007 10:11 AM
I'm getting bored with this.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 7, 2007 10:18 AM
Lat can you please get to the bottom of the conflicting Chadbourne rumors?
Posted by: ? | February 7, 2007 10:22 AM
10:10 -- Mr. Roper could be the actual Mr. Roper.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 7, 2007 10:23 AM
What about Foley? Anyone hear anything about them?
Posted by: joes | February 7, 2007 10:36 AM
what are the conflicting chadbourne rumors?
Posted by: Anon | February 7, 2007 10:45 AM
Lat, you seem to know people in many of the firms can you get some more info on Arnold & Porter?
Posted by: Anonymous | February 7, 2007 10:47 AM
I can confirm that on Feb 1 and retroactive to Jan 1 Chadbourne NY matched Simpson for all classes including class of 1998 and Chadbourne DC's salary scale went to:
Class Annual Salary
2006 $160k
2005 $165k
2004 $175k
2003 $195k
2002 $215k
2001 $230k
2000 $245k
1999 $250k
1998 $260k
Posted by: Anon | February 7, 2007 10:50 AM
10:10 - that is not ATL-approved confirmation. That is some random person posting numbers. Until someone actually confirms with Lat, it's not "official" for ATL purposes.
There have been hoaxes you dolt!
Posted by: duh | February 7, 2007 10:52 AM
Still waiting on Texas. Any clue when or if to expect anything from the Texas firms?
Posted by: Texas? Texas? | February 7, 2007 10:55 AM
What about the rest of Wiley's scale? Can anyone weigh in on that?
Posted by: doubleplus good | February 7, 2007 10:59 AM
We're waiting on Texas too. What's anyone heard?
Posted by: Anonymous | February 7, 2007 11:04 AM
10:52....same goes for Ropes. No Lat confirm...no confirm at all!
Posted by: Anonymous | February 7, 2007 11:06 AM
re: 10:50 "confirmation" - even assuming it is legitimate, that is not a "match" of the new Simpson scale. It is a raise above prior salary scale, but only matched at the more junior levels.
Posted by: eagle | February 7, 2007 11:27 AM
re: 10:50 "confirmation" - even assuming it is legitimate, that is not a "match" of the new Simpson scale. It is a raise above prior salary scale, but only matched at the more junior levels.
Posted by: eagle | February 7, 2007 11:29 AM
Can someone confirm the K&L Gates NY numbers - like post the announcement?
Is it retro to Jan 1st?
Posted by: curious george | February 7, 2007 11:29 AM
Re: Texas. Any V&E or A&K associates out their? Any talk at your firms about raises?
Posted by: BB GA | February 7, 2007 11:33 AM
Eagle - what do you mean? I'm at Chadbourne and I can assure you that Chadbourne NY matched Simpson's NY scale at all levels up to class of 1998. Happened last Thursday.
Posted by: Anon | February 7, 2007 11:42 AM
boring. wake me up when the next round of raises come out this fall...... I'm going to go bill some hours so I don't have to feel guilty about my "bump"
Posted by: Anonymous | February 7, 2007 11:47 AM
11:27/11:29-- the chart posted above was for DC only
Posted by: anon | February 7, 2007 12:09 PM
11:42 at Chadbourne: Can you email Lat with your official confirmation of that (email him privately with your full name) so he can post it and confirm officially?
Posted by: Anon | February 7, 2007 12:14 PM
Can't access private email at Chadbourne due to firewalls, so not possible to email Lat until later. Absolutely confirm NY and DC raises though. NY matching Simpson NY and DC starting at $160,000 as posted in chart above.
Posted by: At Chadbourne | February 7, 2007 12:38 PM
I believe Chadbourne did not (yet) raise, as per my sources.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 7, 2007 12:43 PM
Neal Gerber in Chicago raised - $145.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 7, 2007 01:37 PM
Interesting with the conflicting Chadbourne info-- At Chadbourne 12:38, please email Lat later on, thanks a lot. Anonymous 12:43 are you at Chadbourne as well?
Posted by: !!! | February 7, 2007 01:50 PM
Interesting with the conflicting Chadbourne info-- At Chadbourne 12:38, please email Lat later on, thanks a lot. Anonymous 12:43 are you at Chadbourne as well?
Posted by: !!! | February 7, 2007 01:53 PM
11:29 #2--when did K&L Gates say anything?
Posted by: Anonymous | February 7, 2007 01:56 PM
1:56 -- The K&L Gates NY information is on their website.
Posted by: anon | February 7, 2007 02:11 PM
Chicago firms at $145:
McDermott
Sidley
Jenner
Mayer Brown
Sonnenschein
Schiff Hardin
Latham
DLA Piper
Neal Gerber
Firms in Chicago at $160:
Skadden
Chicago firms that remain silent:
Jones Day
Winston & Strawn
Kirkland
Foley & Lardner
Katten Muchin
McGuirewoods
Bryan Cave
Baker & McKenzie
Sachnoff Weaver
Chapman Cutler
Bell Boyd & Lloyd
Vedder Price
Wildman Harrold
Holland and Knight
others???
Key Firms we're still waiting on = Kirkland, W&S, Jones Day, B&M
Posted by: Anonymous | February 7, 2007 02:11 PM
Chicago firms at $145:
McDermott
Sidley
Jenner
Mayer Brown
Sonnenschein
Schiff Hardin
Latham
DLA Piper
Neal Gerber
Firms in Chicago at $160:
Skadden
Chicago firms that remain silent:
Jones Day
Winston & Strawn
Kirkland
Foley & Lardner
Katten Muchin
McGuirewoods
Bryan Cave
Baker & McKenzie
Sachnoff Weaver
Chapman Cutler
Bell Boyd & Lloyd
Vedder Price
Wildman Harrold
Holland and Knight
others???
Key Firms we're still waiting on = Kirkland, W&S, Jones Day, B&M
Posted by: Anonymous | February 7, 2007 02:14 PM
Chicago firms at $145:
McDermott
Sidley
Jenner
Mayer Brown
Sonnenschein
Schiff Hardin
Latham
DLA Piper
Neal Gerber
Katten Muchin
Firms in Chicago at $160:
Skadden
Chicago firms that remain silent:
Jones Day
Winston & Strawn
Kirkland
Foley & Lardner
McGuirewoods
Bryan Cave
Baker & McKenzie
Sachnoff Weaver
Chapman Cutler
Bell Boyd & Lloyd
Vedder Price
Wildman Harrold
Holland and Knight
others???
Key Firms we're still waiting on = Kirkland, W&S, Jones Day, B&M
Posted by: Anonymous | February 7, 2007 02:19 PM
kl gates is effecti 3/1
Posted by: anon | February 7, 2007 02:31 PM
Bracewell & Giuliani has matched in NY.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 7, 2007 02:35 PM
Kirkland has announced with some interesting differences amongst offices:
KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP
MEMORANDUM
TO: Firmwide Associates and Non-Share Partners
CC: Firmwide Share Partners
FROM: Thomas D. Yannucci, P.C.
Chair, Firm Committee
DATE: February 7, 2007
RE: Associate and Non-Share Partner
Compensation
________________________________________________________________________
The Firm has always been committed to paying our
associates and non-share partners compensation at the
top of each market in which we practice. In light of
recent moves by some firms with regard to base salary
for associates, the Firm Committee has approved
increases to our associate base salaries, retroactive
to January 1, 2007, as set forth below:
Class|New York|California|Chicago/D.C.
2006 |$160,000|$160,000 |$145,000
2005 |$170,000|$170,000 |$155,000 2004 |$185,000|$180,000 |$170,000
2003 |$210,000|$190,000 |$190,000
2002 |$230,000|$210,000 |$210,000 2001 |$250,000|$225,000 $225,000
These increases will be reflected in the February 28
payroll.
Appropriate adjustments are also being made to
non-share partner draws, effective February 1, 2007.
Each non-share partner will be notified of his or her
increased draw amount shortly. Increased non-share
partner draws will be reflected in the March draw
payments.
Thank you again for all of your hard work and
dedication.
Posted by: Anonymous | February 7, 2007 03:37 PM
Since that last post re Kirkland came out formatted weird, the essential numbers are:
Class|New York|California|Chicago/D.C.
2006 |$160,000|$160,000 |$145,000
2005 |$170,000|$170,000 |$155,000
2004 |$185,000|$180,000 |$170,000
2003 |$210,000|$190,000 |$190,000
2002 |$230,000|$210,000 |$210,000
2001 |$250,000|$225,000 $225,000
Posted by: Anonymous | February 7, 2007 03:41 PM
Does anyone have confirmation of the rumor that Finnegan Henderson has gone to 160 in DC?
http://www.infirmation.com/bboard/clubs-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=0036y9
2006-160
2005-170
2004-185
2003-200
2002-215
2001-230
2000-250
1999-270
5% bonus per 100 hours over 2000 up to 2400 up to 20% merit bonus
Posted by: Anonymous | February 11, 2007 06:22 PM