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.
(37) Comments
Comments
This had to be. Its consistent with W&C's reputation as above the fray of BigLaw.
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.
not paying bonuses = above the fray of Biglaw? please pass the koolaid.
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.
What's market at the DC offices of Burger King?
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.
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.
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.
Loyola 2L, including all the free food you can steal?
Breaking: Just heard from a friend that Skadden is set to announce a match at the new W&C scale.
This bidding war is hilarious and revolutionary. The proles have effectively used the internet to gain leverage over management.
Come on, folks! Doesn't anyone have a friend at W&C to call?
has anyone heard for sure whether skadden is matching the 165 starting salary???
I think that Skadden comment was a hoax.
Covington matched it
Can we have an update to the list of shame and the ungodly cheapness that is Reed Smith?
covington is going to 165? in washington? will NY follow
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.
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.
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.
Bidding wars are so funny.
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
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.
Five Guys is the W&C of the DC market.
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.
I heard Fat Burger is moving into the DC market. They give huge bonuses for McDonald's clerkships.
Can someone please provide a current version of the LIST OF SHAME.
Any news on Simpson Thatcher yet?????????????????
Learn to spell. In other news, everyone should treat themselves to a Shamrock Shake!
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
maybe so, but we're better than you.
Skadden is at 165k.
Before the jump it says W&C to 180k. After it says they raised to 165k. Which is it?