any word from Jenner Chicago?

Current DC list of shame ($145K)

1. Covington
2. Winston
3. Dickstein
4. Howrey
5. Wiley Rein
6. Arent Fox
7. Venable
8. Crowell & Moring

Corrections? Updates?

I really don't understand the Manatt thing

Jenner raised to 175. Or maybe lowered down to 125.

2:55 - Then you are an idiot.

At this point, I just want to go home and drink a beer.

Current DC list of shame ($145K)

1. Covington
2. Winston
3. Dickstein
4. Howrey
5. Wiley Rein
6. Arent Fox
7. Venable
8. Crowell & Moring
9. Bingham

CH list of shame:

Jenner
Jones Day
Katten
Sonnenschein
Winston
Holland & Knight
Bell Boyd
Baker McKenzie
Foley
Wildman Harrold
DLA Piper
Schiff
McGuireWoods
Vedder Price

Jenner & Block?

Where are all the big Jenner talkers from earlier this week who were convinced they would beat even Kirkland out in Chicago? What's going on?

Has Steptoe raised salaries in DC?

Morgan Lewis belongs on the DC list of shame. I think the DC office has 200+ attorneys.

Why are some of these cheapo firms not making raises retro to 5/1? Firms that give raises retro to 6/1 are really trying to cut small corners.

Wow am I glad I don't work at Manatt. Shit. Why not push it out to 2009 and see if you can get away with it?

This is the law firm equivalent of blue balls. Anyone want to take it one step further?

Kick ass for PWSP.

W&C should be on DC list of shame too since $165 w/o any bonus is effectively a $145 salary.

Interesting plan by Manatt. What is their contingency if everybody raises again in January?

I agree with 3:18.
UPDATED DC LIST OF SHAME
1. Covington
2. Winston
3. Dickstein
4. Howrey
5. Wiley Rein
6. Arent Fox
7. Venable
8. Crowell & Moring
9. Bingham
10. Williams & Connolly

Winston DC just raised!!! Retroactive to May 1.

did Winston Chicago raise too?

jenner raised to 155

are DC summers getting these raises?

no DC summers need to shut up, head down, and be thankful to be earning more than most average americans.

cov up to 180

But how much is that in schrutebucks?

no, DC summers need to keep their mouths shut, head down, and be happy to earn more in a summer than the average american in a year.

cov to 185?

Hartford to 110!

(Maybe I can will it to happen.)

and DC associates should learn how to post blog comments, lest they embarrass themselves and forever tarnish the good name of "Anonymous"

3:36 - the same as the conversion rate of leprachauns to unicorns.

3:36 - the same as the conversion rate of leprachauns to unicorns.

you're just jealous we're making more than market

UPDATED DC LIST OF SHAME
1. Covington
2. Winston
3. Dickstein
4. Howrey
5. Wiley Rein
6. Arent Fox
7. Venable
8. Crowell & Moring
9. Bingham
10. Williams & Connolly
11. Kirkpatrick & Lockhart

did winston really raise in DC but not Chicago?

Perhaps a Chicago memo from Winston is coming shortly???

Winston is seriously thinking of not raising Chicago?

Interesting that Orrick, which started this whole round of raises, made the raise effective 6/1. Half the firms to match made their raises retroactive to 5/1.

Winston?! Jenner?!

New CA List of Shame

1) Thelen Reid*
2) Reed Smith
3) Morgan Lewis
4) Bingham
5) Perkins Coie
6) Bryan Cave
7) Townsend*
8) Dechert
9) A bunch of Chicago firms except for Kirkland & Ellis, Sidley, McDermott, Mayer Brown, DLA Piper, and Winston & Strawn

* denotes CA-based firm

...needs to go to 175K. Attrition is out of this world.

Boston List of Shame:

Bingham McCutchen
Choate Hall & Stewart
Foley Hoag
Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge
Goulston & Storrs
Nutter
Foley & Lardner
Greenberg Traurig
Dechert
Holland & Knight
Seyfarth Shaw

Has DLA Chicago raised?

Boston List of Shame:

Bingham McCutchen
Choate Hall & Stewart
Foley Hoag
Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge
Goulston & Storrs
Nutter
Foley & Lardner
Greenberg Traurig
Dechert
Holland & Knight
Seyfarth Shaw
K+L Gates

Chicago list of shame: Winston & Jenner!

Texas to $165!

Date: May 25, 2007
To: All Attorneys
From: Executive Committee
Re: Associate Compensation

Consistent with the Firm’s policy of paying our Associates fair and competitive compensation, we are pleased to announce that retroactive to May 1, 2007, we are revising our Associate salary scales in Texas, as follows:

Class of 2007 $150,000

2006 150,000

2005 160,000

2004 175,000

2003 190,000

2002 210,000

2001 230,000

2000 245,000

1999 260,000

anyone notice some overlap on the Lists of Shame?

Wow - Manatt is really bush league.

Someone explain to me how McDermott's system works for income partners. The memo says that the minimum income partner draw will increase to 270K, but a McDermott 8th year makes 280K. I know the income partner has job security that a senior associate does not yet have, but this still seems weird. Am I missing something? Is a "draw" different than your total compensation for the year?

So if you are keeping score at home it seems that the Chicago Market breaks down as follows:

At Market:
Kirkland
Latham
Mayer Brown
McDermott
Paul Hastings
Sidley
Skadden

Below Market:
Baker McKenzie
Bell Boyd
Chapman & Cutler
DLA Piper
Drinker Biddle
Foley
Greenberg Traurig
Holland & Knight
Jenner
Jones Day
Katten
Kaye Scholler
Lock Lord Bissel Lidell
McGuireWoods
Michael Best
Perkins Coie
Reed Smith
Schiff
Sonnenschein
Vedder Price
Wildman Harrold
Winston

Did I miss anyone?

yo mamma raised

White Girls with Asian Guys! Yea!

"Remember why you went to law school: to make a difference. And follow your heart."

I went to law school for the money. NY to $200K!!!

I went to law school for the sex!

Skadden to announce 190 imminently.

We went to law school for the Asian Guys!

You are all nuts and hopefully, will all be fired soon and we can start again

I went to law school for the God-fearing pale, white men!

3:49, you can go ahead and at Thelen Reid to the DC List of Shame too.

Re: DC List, did Dickstein raise to 160K for IP folks back in Jan/Feb? I thought it said that on ATL somewhere.

Dechert Palo Alto raised to 160, matched the rest of the scale all the way up.

Dechert CA went up!! Woot!

Any other Chicago raisers today?

Dechert DC also did the same as Dechert CA...

Current DC list of shame ($145K)

1. Covington
2. Winston
3. Dickstein
4. Howrey
5. Wiley Rein
6. Arent Fox
7. Venable
8. Crowell & Moring
9. Bingham
10. Dow Lohnes

Don't forget Jenner, 5:25

Add Morgan Lewis to the DC list of shame.

Bee-yotch!

There is an irony in 4:32's labeling of the firms as "above market" and "below market" - seeing as how most of the firms employing the majority of the attorneys are "below market" - not sure but it seems to me that "at market" means where the MAJORITY of large firms are - so in a sense the right labels would have been "at market" and a"bove market." Sorry Chicago but "the market" seems to still be at 145K - just look at 4:32's list and it's obvious.

Current DC list of shame ($145K)

1. Covington
2. Winston
3. Dickstein
4. Howrey
5. Wiley Rein
6. Arent Fox
7. Venable
8. Crowell & Moring
9. Bingham
10. Dow Lohnes
11. Jenner
12. Morgan Lewis

Current DC list of shame ($145K)

1. Covington
2. Winston
3. Dickstein
4. Howrey
5. Wiley Rein
6. Arent Fox
7. Venable
8. Crowell & Moring
9. Bingham
10. Dow Lohnes
11. Jenner
12. Morgan Lewis
13. Thelen Reid

5:34,

Care to count up the number of associates that your so-called "above market" firms employ. I would venture a guess that those 7 firms have as many or more than the other ones listed at 4:32. So, market has been set in Chicago: 160K

People didn't the post above just say Winston gave Associates a pay raise?

What kind of job security does a McDermott income partner making the minimum draw have?

Bee-yotch!

Can someone confirm Dechert DC? All associates or do they still have the tiers?

Chicago firms:

At Market:

Kirkland
Latham
Mayer Brown
McDermott
Paul Hastings
Sidley
Skadden

Below Market:

Baker McKenzie
Bell Boyd
Chapman & Cutler
DLA Piper
Drinker Biddle
Foley
Greenberg Traurig
Holland & Knight
Jenner
Jones Day
Katten
Kaye Scholler
Lock Lord Bissel Lidell
McGuireWoods
Michael Best
Perkins Coie
Reed Smith
Schiff
Sonnenschein
Vedder Price
Wildman Harrold
Winston

Current DC list of shame ($145K)

1. Covington
2. Dickstein
3. Howrey
4. Wiley Rein
5. Arent Fox
6. Venable
7. Crowell & Moring
8. Bingham
9. Dow Lohnes
10. Jenner
11. Morgan Lewis
12. Thelen Reid

Winston is off the list.

Current DC list of shame ($145K)

1. Covington
2. Dickstein
3. Howrey
4. Wiley Rein
5. Arent Fox
6. Venable
7. Crowell & Moring
8. Bingham
9. Dow Lohnes
10. Jenner
11. Morgan Lewis
12. Thelen Reid

Winston is off the list.

King & Spalding should be on DC list of shame.

The McDermott Income Partner Draw is just the amount they get in their paychecks. Typically McDermott does not have 8th year associates (the old system was 5 years to income partner, now its 6). Income partners are compensated from three sources: a Draw (paycheck), and then a percentage of (essentially) revenue generated and revenue originated. So if you work 2200 hours, you times that by your billing rate and take a percentage of that. And if you bring in a client with a 1M year end legal bill, you get a cut of that. Both in addition to your draw.

So what is Pillsbury's bonus structure that has remained inact?

5:56

Thanks for the info.

5:45 -- No more tiers (or tears, for that matter).

So, what exactly is the long-term situation with pay raises. Every time we go through another round of these, some firms get left behind. Are the biggest firms just sort of trying to shake out the competition?

King & Spalding should be on Atlanta list of shame.

King & Spalding is just shameful--move so quick in NYC and then let DC and ATL twist in the wind. They will pay--and how.

Covington matched, along with an increase to $3080 per week for Summer Associates, retroactive to their start dates.

Covington just raised in DC and San Francisco.

Current DC list of shame ($145K)

1. Dickstein
2. Howrey
3. Wiley Rein
4. Arent Fox
5. Venable
6. Crowell & Moring
7. Bingham
8. Dow Lohnes
9. Jenner
10. Morgan Lewis
11. Thelen Reid

Can we see the Covington memo?

King & Spalding is most definitely shameful. I guess it will always be a second-class, Southern firm after all. Nice try at hanging with the big boys.

I can confirm that Covington matched, all the way up the scale - 8th years are at 280K.

Current DC list of shame ($145K)

1. Dickstein
2. Howrey
3. Wiley Rein
4. Arent Fox
5. Venable
6. Crowell & Moring
7. Bingham
8. Dow Lohnes
9. Jenner
10. Morgan Lewis
11. Thelen Reid
12. Williams & Connolly (165 no bonus)

How does King & Spalding get a pass when Dow Lohnes and other firms far below it by any financial measure are on the list? Too shameful even for the list of shame?

Yes, Covington memo indeed!

are the dc list all dc-based firms (and not branch offices)? if not, that list is not complete by a long shot.

Please confirm: Rumor has it that Dechert went to NY scale in Philadelphia. Is that possible?

Morgan Lewis and others on the list are not DC based

Assuming someone can confirm Munger and Dechert:

New CA List of Shame

1) Thelen Reid*
2) Reed Smith
3) Morgan Lewis
4) Bingham
5) Perkins Coie
6) Bryan Cave
7) Townsend*
8) A bunch of Chicago firms except for Kirkland & Ellis, Sidley, McDermott, Mayer Brown, DLA Piper, and Winston & Strawn

* denotes CA-based firm

The list of CA-based firms has dwindled quite a bit, no?

i heard Dow Lohnes pays DC market in Atlanta

DL does pay old 145 DC scale in Atlanta. Will be interesting to see what they do when they raise in DC.

Note the fine print in the Pillsbury memo-"You will be informed by your Practice Section Leader next week regarding your individual 2007 compensation."

What this means is that you have to be at 85% of your target billable hours through April 2007 in order to receive a raise in June. Associates are provided with the opportunity of "making up" those hours with a second review at the end of June; if you hit 85% of your billables through June 30, you will get the raise effective July 1.

If you are a Pillsbury associate and you are not at 100% of your billable hours at the end of December, you will not be advanced the next salary step and you will remain at your 2007 compensation level.

Any other "market leader" firms do this? No? Didn't think so.

Try again, Pillsbury.

Wow, that sucks for Pillsbury. They should be put back on the List of Shame for that.

I don't think Pillsbury deserves List of Shame for that. It detracts from the firms on the actual list of shame. Plus, there are a few other firms noted on ATL that do that.

I'm surprised Pillsbury can do a review that fast.

Did someone confirm a Jenner raise? That would be good for us and put pressure on others.

6:10 -- feel like explaining the Dechert tier system for the rest of us?

7:26

I f---ed you wife last night. She is gorgeous.

Focus please.

7:26 -- so if you're so satisfied, why are you trolling this thread discussing compensation at 3x your level?

Oh snap. Break yo self.

No more tiers for Dechert DC. 160k for all first years; matching the scale the whole way up.

7:26 -- IM IN UR HOUSE DRINKN UR DRINKZ AND DOOIN UR WIF!!!!11!eleventy!

Winston Chicago, anyone, anyone? Please tell me they didn't raise all their offices except the home base.

I am an associate at an Am Law top 40 firm that is at or near market in all of the cities discussed on this thread. Having just received a very large raise myself, I can't help but wonder what planet some of the posters to this thread are on....debating whether a firm should be on the list of shame b/c it pays 145K to a 25 year old with NOTHING to offer (certainly not going to make your employer any money the first three years, as long as it takes new associates to do anything of substance), instead of the "market" of 160K is such a joke....shut up, feel fortunate to have the opportunity to work at a firm that is even in this conversation, and go back to work.

8:25, yes, but can you explain the old tier system?

8:38 -- easy to look down when you got a raise, eh? Go spend it instead of trolling.

I am an associate at an Am Law top-10 firm that is at the top of the market in my city, and I must say I am getting a kick out of these responses.

8:39:

http://www.abovethelaw.com/2007/02/skaddenfreude_dechert_dcs_fsg.php

I like how trolls have to point out, "I'm at an AmLaw top __ firm." Keep flogging your own dolphin. So umm, AmLaw top 40 means, what 39?

Covington has just raised.

8:38 - some of us are mid-levels and seniors who want to get paid.

the silence from Winston Chicago is deafening

did Dechert raise all offices?

Quiz time: which firm still appears on the CA, DC, AND Boston List of Shame???

Atlanta Am Law 100 firms: Hear that loud sucking sound?

That's the sound of resumes flying out of your buildings to DC firms that are about to poach your top talent. No, they can't absorb us all, but they are happy to take your best. You think the head hunters are not all over this? Wake the f up already.

Munger has matched retroactive to 5/1.

if Winston didn't raise in Chicago, that's complete bush league

Where is Jenner??????????

seyfarth shaw is still at 145k all office except nyc

seyfarth shaw is still at 145k all office except nyc

seyfarth shaw is still at 145k all office except nyc

seyfarth shaw is still at 145k all office except nyc

seyfarth shaw is still at 145k all office except nyc

seyfarth shaw is still at 145k all office except nyc

seyfarth shaw is still at 145k all office except nyc

seyfarth shaw is still at 145k all office except nyc

Hey Fat Twat...

So let me get this straight, after you got back home for drinks with your gorgeous wife, you decided to check what was going on on ATL and let us know what your plans for the evening were? Before actually jsut carrying on with them already?

Must be a PI plaintiff's attorney... loves writing stories.

seyfarth shaw is still at 145k all office except nyc

seyfarth shaw is still at 145k all office except nyc

seyfarth shaw is still at 145k all office except nyc

seyfarth shaw is still at 145k all office except nyc

seyfarth shaw is still at 145k all office except nyc

8:42 P.M.:

Some of you guys are very good at making it sound like you know what you are talking about. But trust me.... You don't. I think you just want to make yourself sound smart, when in reality you don't know what you are talking about. This is how bad info gets passed around. If you don't know about the topic....Don't make yourself sound like you do. Cos some associates believe anything they hear.

8:42 P.M.:

Some of you guys are very good at making it sound like you know what you are talking about. But trust me.... You don't. I think you just want to make yourself sound smart, when in reality you don't know what you are talking about. This is how bad info gets passed around. If you don't know about the topic....Don't make yourself sound like you do. Cos some associates believe anything they hear.

8:42 P.M.:

Some of you guys are very good at making it sound like you know what you are talking about. But trust me.... You don't. I think you just want to make yourself sound smart, when in reality you don't know what you are talking about. This is how bad info gets passed around. If you don't know about the topic....Don't make yourself sound like you do. Cos some associates believe anything they hear.

9:17- what's the deal with all the updates? You've got us all super jealous, so please knock it off and get back to "working on" love.

What are the chances my firm will raise sometime over the weekend?

10:07 - none

So let's see, of the Cal Law 25 (reposted below from http://www.abovethelaw.com/2007/05/nationwide_pay_raise_watch_leb.php#comment-45574), lets see who hasn't raised yet.

DLA, Pillsbury, Sheppard, Manatt, Munger have raised according to ATL.

The True CA List of Shame:
Morgan Lewis, Bingham, Reed Smith, Thelen Reid, and Townsend.

--
Cal Law 25 List (sub required so I've got a copy paste job, if you have a sub go to http://www.law.com/jsp/ca/PubArticleCA.jsp?id=1179277986841)

Recently posted (seems to be May 16th?) but I haven't seen it here shockingly. Hit the official firm news email today at my firm.

The Cal Law 25: Who Pays What
In February, a dramatic round of associate salary raises saw most top firms bumping first-year associates to $160,000 in New York, but starting the scale at $145,000 or less in California and elsewhere. A few firms went to $160K here for certain hot specialties, such as IP. The latest round, triggered by Orrick on May 3, has many Cal Law 25 firms rushing to pay the New York rate in the Golden State.

Firm
1 Latham & Watkins $160K
2 DLA Piper (U.S. only) $145K^
3 Morgan, Lewis & Bockius $145K
4 O’Melveny & Myers $160K
5 Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker $160K
6 Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher $160K
7 Morrison & Foerster $160K*
8 Bingham McCutchen $145K
9 Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe $160K
10 Reed Smith $145K
11 Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman $145K
12 Heller Ehrman $160K*
13 Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati $160K*
14 Cooley Godward Kronish $160K
15 Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton $145K
16 Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges $160
17 Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner $145K
18 Littler Mendelson ?
19 Manatt, Phelps & Phillips $145K
20 Irell & Manella $160K
21 Munger, Tolles & Olsen $145K
22 Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith $90K
23 Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold $125K
24 Townsend and Townsend and Crew $145K
25 Fenwick & West $160K

* Latest raises came with reductions to bonus programs.

^ Patent litigators in California start at $160K.

? Firm refused to disclose associate salaries, citing "proprietary information."

Posted by: Anonymous | May 22, 2007 02:57 PM

What does seyfarth shaw pay outside NY? Does anyone know?

The Recorder scoops ATL on CA List of Shame

Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner, which has 600 lawyers, is one of the firms that has yet to make a move. The firm ranked 22nd on the Cal Law 25 in profits per partner, one spot behind Pillsbury. Townsend and Townsend and Crew, which ranked high in PPP in part because of a large contingency fee in 2006, has also refrained from raising.

Three big out-of-town firms with more than 20 percent of their lawyers in California have also held back: Bingham McCutchen; Morgan, Lewis & Bockius; and Reed Smith.

FTL

You sound like a hippie. Take a bath longhair.

Chicago firms:

At Market:

Kirkland
Latham
Mayer Brown
McDermott
Paul Hastings
Sidley
Skadden

Below Market:

Baker McKenzie
Bell Boyd
Chapman & Cutler
DLA Piper
Drinker Biddle
Foley
Greenberg Traurig
Holland & Knight
Jenner
Jones Day
Katten
Kaye Scholler
Lock Lord Bissel Lidell
McGuireWoods
Michael Best
Perkins Coie
Reed Smith
Schiff
Sonnenschein
Vedder Price
Wildman Harrold
Winston

Posted by: Chicagoist

well i chose not to work for biglaw that raised in Chicago and now I work for biglaw that didn't raise. I was happy until now. I think there are only about 2-3 Chicago firms that meet this description.
Its not even about the cash, its knowing that all my law school buddies that chose a different firm now work for a more prestigious firm. Oh well, maybe one can get me a job at their shop and we can split the 10K referral fee!!!!

11:38

Sucks to be you.

What the hell are we waiting for? This is ridiculous. C'mon Jenner management - shake the lead out. You're making you're associate talent look like a bunch of...

What the hell are we waiting for? This is ridiculous. C'mon Jenner management - shake the lead out. You're making you're associate talent look like a bunch of...

is it true Jenner's been going downhill the past few years? I've heard some weird stuff about bonuses...

Current DC list of shame ($145K)

1. Dickstein
2. Howrey
3. Wiley Rein
4. Arent Fox
5. Venable
6. Crowell & Moring
7. K&L Gates
8. Bingham
9. Dow Lohnes
10. Jenner
11. Morgan Lewis
12. Thelen Reid
13. Williams & Connolly (165 no bonus)

Hunton & Williams should be on DC list of shame.

2:19 - actually Jenner's PPP was up (still not as high as other biglaw due to pro bono, which is why many people choose the firm in the first place) and they actually gave out really good bonuses this year, granted you had to make 2050 hours (50 pro bono counted)..... from personal knowledge (although I dont work there) they currently are working on some of the biggest cases and transactinos around. so IMHO there is no excuse. I really feel bad for my buddy right about now.... guess I am going to have to be buying the drinks this weekend to ease his pain...

10:44, true. I heard their bonuses were actually really good this last year. Like on par with Mayer and Sidley. I expect Jenner will be raising soon.

Neal Gerber should be added to the Chicago list of shame.

Neal Gerber should be added to the Chicago list of shame.

I heard the same thing about Jenner. They are not going to be the only firm in Chicago that is in the American Lawyer top 20 eite firm list and then not pay market, Especially with summers starting, Jenner is the best Chicago has for litigation and they will pay accordingly.

"Quiz time: which firm still appears on the CA, DC, AND Boston List of Shame???"

Answer: Bingham McCutchen. PPP last year. 1.22 million

Shameful indeed.

11:38 pm:

Weird post. I'm assuming from the context that you are at Winston or Jenner. Just bc they didn't raise by yesterday doesn't mean they won't. And if you chose one of those firms over K&E, Sidley, or Mayer, you should have known when you signed on that while Winston and Jenner are as good as it gets in Chi in certain areas -- namely, litigation in both cases -- they are not overall as "prestigious" as the so-called "Big 3" given their smaller size and overall strength across practice areas and offices. Nothing has changed. If your only concern is how highly rated your firm is on the Vault list -- which is a pretty stupid way to pick a firm, IMO -- you screwed up from the outset if you dinged K&E, Sidley or Mayer. If your other offer was from McDermott, good job, you read your list correctly. My point is, nothing that has happened to date, given that other firms in Chi are still going to raise, has changed the relative standing of firms in the Chi market.

Don't you dare dismiss the value of prestige! We are nothing if we can't walk around quietly chanting to ourselves, "I work at SIDLEY. I work at SIDLEY." Every day I'm able to do that, I feel like I have made it in life.

10:28, and Thelen wasn't even at market before the raises either.

What's all this talk about "Thelan"? Is that a law firm?

NY TO 190!

Since David Lat is in Las Vegas, I figured I'd start some conversation. Let's see...where to begin. Monica Goodling is probably having a nice weekend, along with Charney.

So, fellow ATLers, let's discuss a new issue. With the new round of pay raises in, making the market $160,000 in most of the major legal markets there is less to talk about regarding salaries.

So, let's highlight perks. Tell us what perks your firm gives you. Feel free to brag. Make other associates at other firms jealous because you get free things that they don't! Let the discussion begin!

Anyone know anything about the Chicago bonus structure at K&E/Sidley/Mayer?

Lat Groupie:

I think you are on to something here. The "perks" are really what separate the firms from one another, including (most especially), bonuses. Associates working at Heller, Morrison, WSGR, etc now may make the same base salary as some of their NYC and CA counterparts, but the highest billers of that group will be making a lot less than the highest billers at Gibson Dunn, Latham, and the like.

I'd love to know what some of the bonuses are at some of these places: Hours required for an initial bonus and increases thereafter, etc.

Would also like to know if, at some firms, its really ok to only hit minimum (i.e., maybe its fine at Heller, Morrison, and WSGR to only hit the 1950 billables required, in which case that lifestyle would be worth a lot to many).

Any firms do 401(k) matching?

Etc.

NY to 190 NOW

Starting NOOOOWWW

Starting NOOOOWWW

9:32

Do you have nothing better to do than to make Seinfeld jokes on a SATURDAY NIGHT OF A LONG WEEKEND?

Some of us are billing now simply want to see if our firms are moving. I don't need your T.V. references.

Is there anyonn that does 401k matching?

I've never heard of it from a law firm, and it is one of the things that helps to make up for the pay differential when going in-house (that and the fact that the difference in pay is always at the top of the tax scale as well...)

Cleary Gottlieb does 401k matching. I would imagine a handful of other elite firms do as well.

I am a little bitter about my firm in Chicago not raising...... yet. But I would be really bitter at Winston, knowing that DC raised and yet there was no raise at the home base.... that sucks!
Come on Katten, Jenner, Winston... Personally, I think after these three raise is where it will stop in Chicago. Have to separate the men from the boys at some point!

Anybody hear anything about W&C?

W&C will likely be the last to act, as it was with the first round of bumps. Expect them to bump another 15K, or perhaps another 20K if they believe that building in a 25K bonus (instead of the 20K that is currently built in) is more appropriate given these most recent changes.

Add Stroock to CA list of shame; went to 150 not 160

1. Dickstein
2. Howrey
3. Wiley Rein
4. Arent Fox
5. Venable
6. Crowell & Moring
7. K&L Gates
8. Bingham
9. Dow Lohnes
10. Jenner
11. Morgan Lewis
12. Thelen Reid
13. Williams & Connolly (165 no bonus)
14. King & Spalding

NY to 190! and fuck those POS firms above!

9:39 P.M.:

It's not exactly matching, but Paul Hastings automatically deducts a percentage of your paycheck + puts it in a 401(k). 8%, I think. It's mandatory - you can't opt out. The (alleged) benefit is that it allows you to exceed the $15k cap (or whatever it is) that the IRS imposes on 401(k) contributions -- you can still elect to withhold the full $15k (on top of the 8% they put it).

It's designed to allow people to put a big chunk of their bonuses in the 401(k).

Lathams pays more in London than New York

Latham & Watkins' London associates have been contacting RollOnFriday to claim their place at the top of the salary table.

Latham pays its NQ lawyers $160,000, rising about $10k - $15k with each year of qualification. These are the same rates as the firm pays its New York lawyers, and at first glance they look pretty much on a par with most US firms over here.

But New York lawyers live in the real world, where a dollar is worth 50p. Lathams' London lawyers however live in a magical fantasy world where the firm treats the dollar as being worth over 60p. With the result that an NQ in London gets about £15,000 a year more than his counterpart in New York.

A spokeswoman for Lathams told us that the exchange rate had been set two years ago and hadn't been looked at since.

As the firm's New York partners are unlikely to be delighted when they realise quite how much they are paying their London assistants, it's a fair bet that a review will happen soon. Latham's London lawyers should make the most of it while they can.

www.rollonfriday.com

Winston will raise in Chicago - the firm just appears to be making its decisions office by office. Because Chicago has the most associates, it takes a little while longer to get everything in place to make the move. Just settle down kids. If you keep judging firms by the order in which they make the jump when they all will eventually (rather than by the things that really matter when you work in BigLaw) you are missing the big picture. Don't worry, you will get your 160 by the end of next week guaranteed.

Winston will raise in Chicago - the firm just appears to be making its decisions office by office. Because Chicago has the most associates, it takes a little while longer to get everything in place to make the move. Just settle down kids. If you keep judging firms by the order in which they make the jump when they all will eventually (rather than by the things that really matter when you work in BigLaw) you are missing the big picture. Don't worry, you will get your 160 by the end of next week guaranteed.

Winston will raise in Chicago - the firm just appears to be making its decisions office by office. Because Chicago has the most associates, it takes a little while longer to get everything in place to make the move. Just settle down kids. If you keep judging firms by the order in which they make the jump when they all will eventually (rather than by the things that really matter when you work in BigLaw) you are missing the big picture. Don't worry, you will get your 160 by the end of next week guaranteed.

Anyone know the effective date of the Covington raises?

THE DC 16 OF SHAME

1. Covington
2. Winston
3. Dickstein
4. Howrey
5. Wiley Rein
6. Arent Fox
7. Venable
8. Crowell & Moring
9. Bingham
10. Dow Lohnes
11. Jenner
12. Morgan Lewis
13. Thelen Reid
14. Squire Sanders
15. King & Spalding
16. K&L Gates

about law firm Perks: Fulbright & Jaworski gives free cokes from a fountain, but Akin Gump gives cans!

Hunton & Williams belongs on the DC List of Shame.

2:45 - many firms have free beverages, but my firm does it only because they have to: our building lease provides a fridge that the janitors keep stocked with coke, snapple, water, etc.

On perks:

Thacher Proffitt and McKee Nelson match 401k and do the free beverages.

It's all about the perks.

At the end of the year, Dunder Miflin gives me a $100 gas card. You can't put a price on that!

At Latham NY, it's .25 cents for Coke. We also have regular vending machines, but they are at normal prices. We have an outside patio, though which is pretty fly.

Bryan Cave belongs on the DC List of Shame

FREE SODA! I didn't see that in the NALP descriptions, and I would pick a firm solely for that perk alone.

My money is on Jenner and Winston. Perhaps another DC firm. Any thoughts from anyone? Is the Texas market going to move?

12:46 - Jenner bonuses were excellent last year. I think you hear weird stuff about jenner because they typically do things their own way. Don't get me wrong, they will follow the market to the 160k pay scale and up, but they are waiting and watching. They definitely move cautiously and deliberately. For example, they could easily merge with another firm to "go kirkland/mayer/sidley", but they aren't those firms and don't want to be those firms. They are home growing - opening their own NYC office with NYC natives (look for a CA office in the next 5 to 10 years). Along the same lines, they don't chase the PPP rankings (while keenly aware of them) at the cost of firm culture among other things (e.g., the pro bono work). For bigfirm law - I can't imagine that it gets much better.

12:46 - Jenner bonuses were excellent last year. I think you hear weird stuff about jenner because they typically do things their own way. Don't get me wrong, they will follow the market to the 160k pay scale and up, but they are waiting and watching. They definitely move cautiously and deliberately. For example, they could easily merge with another firm to "go kirkland/mayer/sidley", but they aren't those firms and don't want to be those firms. They are home growing - opening their own NYC office with NYC natives (look for a CA office in the next 5 to 10 years). Along the same lines, they don't chase the PPP rankings (while keenly aware of them) at the cost of firm culture among other things (e.g., the pro bono work). For bigfirm law - I can't imagine that it gets much better.

Jenner is definitely a unique anima amongst top firms, but why should they take any longer to raise than sidley or mcdermot? All these firms have processes they have to go through to make decisions - jenner's is just longer it seems.

Interesting to hear about the 401(k) contributions at Cleary; Thatcher; and McKee Nelson. Paul Hasting's mandatory 8% contribution (allowing you to get to way above the $15,500 minimum) is also an ingenius way to help associates without costing the firm much (if anything). These benefits can really add up over time.

Any other firms out there that do 401(k) matching or mandatory salary deferrals allowing one to exceed the IRS individual tax deferrment cap?

You should not just check on free soda but find out about brand and selection.

If you are Pepsi drinker, then King and Spalding may not be the place for you.

Morrison & Foerster Los Angeles gives you free fountain soda. Morrison & Foerster San Francisco gives you free canned juices and ~10 varieties of brewed coffee on each floor (but you have to pay 50 cents for the canned sodas). Morrison & Foerster Palo Alto gives you free canned sodas.

I'd rather the 401(k) matching, myself.

1246: interesting points about Jenner. When do you think they will move and how do they adjust associates salaries above year three? Have they always compressed or did they used to be lockstep?

At DLA Piper, you can get soda (of the Coke variety, I believe) for 25 cents (in a can).

I've noticed that most firms have Flavia coffee. We have Keurig individual pods. I haven't heard of fresh-brewed coffee before.

Many offices (Chicago and D.C.) have free bagels, cream cheese, krispy kremes, and other culinary delights on Fridays.

No 401k match though....

Latham LA has some cool perks. They have free breakfast everyday, and they give after hours snacks for free. Latham's other offices don't do that. LW also has the coffee machines with 10-20 different selections.

King & Spaulding has free fountain sodas. Since Coke is one of their biggest clients, Pepsi afficianados should look elsewhere.

Goodwin DC has free sodas, Keurig coffee. Pizza and beers every second Friday, Candy hour every other Friday

Texas to $190!

Latham LA makes its associates pay for parking.

Texas firms pay for air conditioning during business hours

We get bagels and coffee every other friday; and a catered lunch once a month that is actually good, not the crap from downstairs.
The funny thing: we're actually allowed to organize social events (happy hours, dinners etc.) that the firm will pay for, but we're so lame we almost never do it.

Jenner better not have compression. No ohter Chicago firm has it on the new scale. They should pay market all the way up. Why shaft the real earners - years 5, 6 and 7?!

Jenner Chicago has happy hour each friday at 5pm, full stocked bar (top shelf), beer, wine, and appetizers for all attorneys and pa's. Maybe they need to trade the grey goose for popov and then match associate salary.

I have full faith in Jenner. The raise will come!

How's the Texas market right now? Does someone in the top half at South Texas have a shot at a top firm given the below market pay?

DLA Gives Calif. Associates $160K
Zusha Elinson
The Recorder
May 29, 2007

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DLA Piper is the latest firm to raise associate salaries in California.

The firm, which reported having 379 of its 1,348 U.S. lawyers in the state for the Cal Law 25 survey, raised starting salaries for its Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Silicon Valley associates to a scale starting at $160,000. Sacramento associates will get $145,000 to start.

Earlier this year the firm raised salaries for IP associates to $160,000 in California, but left others at $145,000.

In a memo to associates, firm leaders said the raises won't come at a price to associates or clients.

"We are not raising billing rates, increasing our benchmark hours requirements or reducing our bonus plan," the memo says. "In those markets where we are not raising the salary scale, we will pay particular attention to relative productivity and use the flexibility in our bonus ranges to assure fairness to highly productive associates at year-end."

Most leading California firms have raised associate salaries to the $160,000 scale, as have most New York firms with offices here. But national firms with a big presence in California have been slow to react. For example, Bingham McCutchen; Morgan, Lewis & Bockius; and Reed Smith have yet to make a move.

Big out-of-town firms with smaller California presences, such as Goodwin Procter and Ropes & Gray, recently matched in state.

Jenner to 160, tomorrow. For sure.

Is anyone else wondering why Mayer is the only major Chicago firm that failed to make its raise retroactive to May 1st? Is Mayer ready to submit its seat at the big-boy table to MWE?

9:43, I think the answer is yes. Mayer has submitted.

THE DC 17 OF SHAME

1. Covington
2. Winston
3. Dickstein
4. Howrey
5. Wiley Rein
6. Arent Fox
7. Venable
8. Crowell & Moring
9. Bingham
10. Dow Lohnes
11. Jenner
12. Morgan Lewis
13. Thelen Reid
14. Squire Sanders
15. King & Spalding
16. K&L Gates
17. Sterne Kessler

You left Williams & Connolly off your list of shame.

I'm willing to bet that the people of Mayer don't view the non-retroactive to May 1 part of their plan as giving up the seat.

Making distinctions based on who moved to what number and in what order is valid... making distinctions on retroactive dates? Yeah, I think we have crossed a line here.

I agree. Being nit-picky about the retroactive date is a little bit going overboard. The only exception is the one firm that raised, but won't have it in effect until 2008. That's very cheap, and not exactly a morale booster for the people at that firm.

To the person who mentioned about parking perks - in New York, no firms pay for parking (even though many lawyers don't even have cars), so I have trouble feeling your pain. I know it's standard for LA firms to pay for parking, but at least in NY & DC, I think it's very rare.

It really makes no sense that firms won't pay for a $450 monthly parking pass in NY, but they'll send me home in a $70 car service every night of the month.

Cheapo firms

1) Compress (I.e., don't pay the most senior associates MARKET) and

2) Don't pay retro to May 1 (when the MARKET changed).

Let's see what Katten, jenner et al do.

Jenner's argument for compressing at the top of the scale is that the "market" rate for senior associates at places like Kirkland, Sidley, etc. contains a "risk premium" to compensate people for the very real risk that they're wasting years of their careers at firms that won't make them partner. Since Jenner partnership prospects are very good (one of the reason the firm's PPP are lower is that they don't leverage - there's about one partner for every associate), the argument goes, Jenner shouldn't have to pay a "risk premium." Its senior associates are getting compensated in the form of realistic partnership prospects.

How many firms pay IP associates more?

How many firms pay IP associates more?

8:07 am -- makes a good point. I don't work at BigLaw in Chicago and don't know that much about Jenner. I've always heard great things about the firm and its people though.

what's with the jenner trolls? despite their protests to the contrary, it's a pretty lousy place for pro bono. they only count something like 150 hours, and it can only go to the bonus. their minimum is 2,000 hours, certainly not a laid back requirement. latham, sidley, and kirkland don't have a minimum, and count every damn hour of pro bono. and although they claim the bonuses were "huge" this past year, they still weren't up to the standards of those 3 firms, and that's in a "huge" year. most years jenner pays little in the terms of bonuses. as for partnership prospects, can't say i know too much, but i'll bet that in 5-6 years, the prospects will suddenly look a lot bleaker.

I'm not a Jenner "troll." I'm just giving you my impression of the firm. The firm may not count every hour of pro bono. That was news to me. But it certainly seems to attract people for whom that type of work is important component of a well-rounded career.

Firms that don't have min hour requirements are just a joke. Do you know honestly think if a firm like Jenner says the min is 2000 and Kirkland reports no min tha on average the associates at Kirkland are working less (or less than 2000 for that matter)? No way.

9:16 - what I'm suggesting is that K&E doesn't punish associates who bill 1900 hours. They actually get large bonuses. And I know some who did just that.

I'll grant that a lot of K&E associates have a lot of work, and thus, are busy. But I'd also add that many might seek out the work, because of the very large bonuses.

9:33, what size bonuses are you talking about? I honestly know very little about Chicago bonuses.

Any investigation into what firms in each market do a discretionary bonus that can be much higher than the rest of the firms in the market? Kirkland made me think of this.

Regarding Jenner, my understanding is there is a huge divide between the Chicago and DC offices - i.e., the DC office has great work, lots of pro bono, while the Chicago office not so much

I agree with those who think summers should keep quiet and enjoy their massive paychecks and free meals, but the reality is summers have more time than associates to track these things, talk to classmates at other firms, and will be making a major decision about whether to accept an offer or re-interview as a 3L. I know the summers at my firm are talking - a lot - about DC salaries and whether their firm will ante up.

P.S. Didn't Wiley Rein & White House Counsel top the PPP list this year? I know it was a one off, but how do the partners justify not meeting market (usually defined as HH for them) after that!

When is NY going to raise again?

1. Covington
2. Winston
3. Dickstein
4. Howrey
5. Wiley Rein
6. Arent Fox
7. Venable
8. Crowell & Moring
9. Bingham
10. Dow Lohnes
11. Jenner
12. Morgan Lewis
13. Thelen Reid
14. Squire Sanders
15. King & Spalding
16. K&L Gates
17. Sterne Kessler
18. Steptoe & Johnson

Which firms in Chicago are confirmed at 160? Are all of those firms that are supposedly paying at "market" in the list above definately at 160?

I thought Covington raised on Friday. I'm not an associate there, but can someone from Covington confirm by posting the text of the memo?

1. Covington
2. Winston
3. Dickstein
4. Howrey
5. Wiley Rein
6. Arent Fox
7. Venable
8. Crowell & Moring
9. Bingham
10. Dow Lohnes
11. Jenner
12. Morgan Lewis
13. Thelen Reid
14. Squire Sanders
15. King & Spalding
16. K&L Gates
17. Sterne Kessler
18. Steptoe & Johnson
19. Alston & Bird

What is the bonus structure for senior associates at Winston?

NY firms must raise very soon!!!!!!

Which firms in Chicago are confirmed at 160? Are all of those firms that are supposedly paying at "market" in the list above definately at 160?

The following are at market in CHI-town:

Kirkland
Latham
Mayer Brown
McDermott
Paul Hastings
Sidley
Skadden

If anyone has reason to think any of the above are not at 160, speak now or forever hold your peace.

Other CHI-town firms?

This board should have a permanent page devoted to keeping tally on salary raises - who's raised, and who hasn't in the major markets based on vault100 or Amlaw100 or whatever... who's with me? Lat and Co. - get cracking.

11:46:

http://www.lawfirmdiscussion.com/compensation/newyork07salary.php

11:54 - Looks good but hasn't been updated since April 7.... Also, its part of AutoAdmit which is a "festering TTT in decline" website as far as I am concerned

Has NYC raised above 160 or are they still there? Can't believe that they would be at 160 if Chicago, D.C., etc. are as well...

Jenner, Jones Day, and Winston,

Stop sitting on the side lines... we want you to come out and play with the other big boys.

Any raises yet today or are people still in long weekend mode here?

Covington raised last week.

Has Steptoe in DC raised salaries?

12:34, indeed. What is going on in Chicago?!?

Steptoe has not (yet?) raised salaries... there is concern, as usual, that it will be reticent, even though it stepped up fairly quickly last time.

W&S in Chi. raised

Content,

More information please re W & S raise in CHI. Memo? How associates found out? Etc.

Content,

More information please re W & S raise in CHI. Memo? How associates found out? Etc.

Any word on Jenner, Katten, etc. in Chicago????

Can we please stop with the "Any word" emails???? If there is "word", you will hear it.

Can we please stop with the "Any word" emails???? If there is "word", you will hear it.

Is anyone enjoying this career-law clerk reply-all email war going on?

Who is Matthew Stump?

2:45:

How they found out? The firm's management committee hired a fleet of singing telegram messengers.

I'd like to dock you at least $15,000.

Katten just bumped to the new levels for its DC, LA and Chicago offices.

I've never even heard of Katten, and the "bigshots" on the DC Hall of Shame haven't yet bumped? That's bullshit. Shame time again...

DC Wall of Shame, Reprised

1. Covington (?)
2. Winston
3. Dickstein
4. Howrey
5. Wiley Rein
6. Arent Fox
7. Venable
8. Crowell & Moring
9. Bingham
10. Dow Lohnes
11. Jenner
12. Morgan Lewis
13. Thelen Reid
14. Squire Sanders
15. King & Spalding
16. K&L Gates
17. Sterne Kessler
18. Steptoe & Johnson
19. Alston & Bird
20. Williams & Connelly

Make corrections if any of these are off.

12:01, it seems NYC has not raised above the 160k scale. I agree it is ridiculous if they do not. Why else suffer the extra hours and generally more awful existence at a NYC meat grinder? To be closer to all the cool stuff you don't have time to do?

Katten Associate Raise

The Firm has always been committed to paying its Associates competitive compensation in each market. Accordingly, given recent pay increases for Associates in many of our markets, the Associate Compensation Committee has decided to increase base compensation for the Firm's Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington Associates per the chart below effective June 1, 2007.

Base
Class Salary

2006 $160,000
2005 $170,000
2004 $185,000
2003 $210,000
2002 $230,000
2001 $250,000
2000 $265,000

As always, Associates senior to the class of 2000 will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

We feel this compensation schedule, when combined with our bonus program, originations bonus and sabbatical, makes our Associate compensation package very competitive in these markets. New York and Charlotte will remain on the base compensation scale in place today for those offices.

Thanks again for your hard work.

Vince

_________________________________________________

Vincent A.F. Sergi, Esq.

National Managing Partner

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP

525 West Monroe Street

Chicago, IL 60661

o 312.902.5255 | f 312.577.8889

vincent.sergi@kattenlaw.com

www.kattenlaw.com

Does anyone know any salary info for Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith?

http://www.goulstonstorrs.com/JoinUs/AttorneysAndParaLegals/attyPara.asp?id=92

Goulston & Storrs raised to 160k for first years.