Skaddenfreude: Williams & Connolly Weighs In
We didn't receive this information from a verified source at the firm, so please treat it as unconfirmed. We're going to fact-check this information "blog-style": we're going to throw it out there, then wait for somebody to tell us it's wrong (or to confirm it).
Anyway, here it is, from an email from an anonymous source:
On Tuesday, Williams & Connolly LLP raised its salaries across the board, retroactive to January 1. Starting salary for first-years is now $165,000.1st years: 165,000.
2nd years: 180,000.
3rd years: 195,000.
4th years: 210,000.
5th years: 225,000.
6th years: 245,000.
7th years: 265,000.
You'll note that these numbers are higher, at least in the most junior years, than what appears to be the new standard for Washington: 145/155/170/190. They're also higher, at least in the first three years, than the new NYC scale (which also applies to the D.C. offices of New York firms): 160/170/185.
But this is consistent with the Williams & Connolly pay scale of years past. Their base salaries are somewhat higher than market; but they don't pay year-end bonuses.
As noted, if you know this information to be incorrect -- or if, on the other hand, you can confirm -- please email us. Thanks!
Update: The information appearing above, concerning Williams & Connolly, has been confirmed.
Comments
This had to be. Its consistent with W&C's reputation as above the fray of BigLaw.
Posted by: anonyWC | March 15, 2007 04:01 PM
What a firm! Love the no bonus structure. Even if it means slightly less in overall compensation, I think it's better for the psyche of the young associate.
Posted by: Anonymous | March 15, 2007 04:17 PM
not paying bonuses = above the fray of Biglaw? please pass the koolaid.
Posted by: anon | March 15, 2007 04:18 PM
4:18 -- it's above the fray of indigenous bigDCLAW. if you would care to do the math here, this would represent an approximate $20K bonus built into their base salary above other DC law firms, whose bonus structures are not lockstep nor written in stone.
Posted by: anonyW&C | March 15, 2007 04:36 PM
What's market at the DC offices of Burger King?
Posted by: Loyola 2L | March 15, 2007 04:43 PM
anonyW&C: average bonuses at DC firms of W&C's caliber exceed 20K. but hey, whatever you need to tell yourself. and i don't understand what "above other DC law firms" is intended to qualify - base salary, bonus or total compensation? i hope you're just a prospective summer at W&C, because your writing needs a lot of work.
Posted by: anon 4:18 | March 15, 2007 05:11 PM
anon 4:18: you sound like someone that tried but couldn't cut it for an offer from W&C. Try not to let that chip on your shoulder show too much.
Posted by: anonyWC | March 15, 2007 05:14 PM
dude, 4:18, slow down. i'm sorry w&c didn't give you an offer. but get over it, man. and get back to hitting those minimum billable figures.
Posted by: Anonymous | March 15, 2007 05:16 PM
Loyola 2L, including all the free food you can steal?
Posted by: anon | March 15, 2007 05:17 PM
Breaking: Just heard from a friend that Skadden is set to announce a match at the new W&C scale.
Posted by: Anon | March 15, 2007 05:22 PM
This bidding war is hilarious and revolutionary. The proles have effectively used the internet to gain leverage over management.
Posted by: anonymous | March 15, 2007 05:25 PM
Come on, folks! Doesn't anyone have a friend at W&C to call?
Posted by: Penn3L | March 15, 2007 05:45 PM
has anyone heard for sure whether skadden is matching the 165 starting salary???
Posted by: eli | March 15, 2007 06:05 PM
I think that Skadden comment was a hoax.
Posted by: Anonymous | March 15, 2007 06:20 PM
Covington matched it
Posted by: Anonymous | March 15, 2007 06:37 PM
Can we have an update to the list of shame and the ungodly cheapness that is Reed Smith?
Posted by: Anonymous | March 15, 2007 07:25 PM
covington is going to 165? in washington? will NY follow
Posted by: anon | March 15, 2007 08:05 PM
Can anyone confirm that Covington and Burlington went to 165K starting in DC? That has to be a hoax. Covington never matched WC before, why would they start now?
If it's not a hoax, the whole DC market may move. Everybody (including my firm) follows C&B.
Posted by: Overpaid Associate | March 15, 2007 08:24 PM
Burger King starts at $7 in the district. Second years move to $7.75. I don't think they are competitive. THe Texas offices pay $5.15, which is the equivalent of making $8.01 in DC.
Posted by: Flipper | March 15, 2007 08:45 PM
You guys need to chill. I very seriously doubt anyone in DC is going to match WC. That's why they waited until everything settled. So don't believe stories of matches unless they're from an official source.
Posted by: Anonymous | March 15, 2007 09:18 PM
Bidding wars are so funny.
Posted by: anonymous | March 15, 2007 09:22 PM
It's pretty shocking that it's taken hours since this story since broke to confirm it . . . leading me to think that it's not true, unfortunately.
Posted by: Anon | March 15, 2007 09:58 PM
dude, enjoy that $7 at burger king dc. mcdonalds starts at $7.50 for first years, plus a free strawberry milkshake if you bill at least 2200.
Posted by: Anonymous | March 15, 2007 10:15 PM
prob is a hoax but why now, because they can. compare the ppp of cov to wc if they try they can totally ditch them
Posted by: anon | March 15, 2007 10:18 PM
Covington has not done anything to match the alleged W&C raise. Any comment to the contrary is nonsense. Believe me, no one would be happier than I if Covington raised again, but it hasn't happened, and the chances of it happening are close to nil.
Posted by: legitprop | March 15, 2007 11:50 PM
I promise you that RS associates have not been kept in the dark and 7:25 is a desperate summer associate. I hope I dont have to work with 7:25!
Posted by: Anonymous | March 16, 2007 12:12 AM
Taco Bell has always stayed above the DCBigFood fray. Sure, I only pull in 6.25, but my quality of life is the bee's knees.
Posted by: yo quiero | March 16, 2007 09:24 AM
Five Guys is the W&C of the DC market.
Posted by: and also | March 16, 2007 09:35 AM
12:12, I'm not 7:25, but I'm most definitely a RS associate. And I have no clue what you're talking about, not saying your lying, but if you know something, spill it. Speak now or stop with comments.
Posted by: Anonymous | March 16, 2007 09:37 AM
I heard Fat Burger is moving into the DC market. They give huge bonuses for McDonald's clerkships.
Posted by: Anonymous | March 16, 2007 10:04 AM
Can someone please provide a current version of the LIST OF SHAME.
Posted by: Anonymous | March 16, 2007 10:15 AM
Any news on Simpson Thatcher yet?????????????????
Posted by: Anonymous | March 16, 2007 11:28 AM
Learn to spell. In other news, everyone should treat themselves to a Shamrock Shake!
Posted by: Anon | March 16, 2007 12:31 PM
bad idea -- the w&c lawyers i know are killing themselves for less compensation than people who work the same hours at, say, c&b, where high end bonuses are upward of $30k for first-third years
Posted by: bonusless | March 17, 2007 12:08 AM
maybe so, but we're better than you.
Posted by: anonyw&c | March 19, 2007 03:23 PM
Skadden is at 165k.
Posted by: Anonymous | December 17, 2007 04:51 PM
Before the jump it says W&C to 180k. After it says they raised to 165k. Which is it?
Posted by: Anon | December 17, 2007 05:54 PM