West Coast Washington D.C. Pay Raise Watch: Hogan & Hartson Goes to $160K

There is no longer any doubt: the nation’s capital is on the so-called “$160K scale.” Say good-bye (or good riddance) to the salary differential between (1) Washington-based firms, and (2) the D.C. offices of New York or California firms.
Why? The homegrown firm of Hogan & Hartson just raised associate base salaries, matching the $160K scale in its Washington, Baltimore, and Los Angeles offices (for the 1950 hour track, but not the 1800 hour track).
This means that the other top D.C. firms, like Arnold & Porter and Covington & Burling, have no choice but to follow suit. Failing to match, now that a true peer firm has done so, would give rise to mortification (and deservedly so).
The full Hogan & Hartson memo, after the jump.


HOGAN & HARTSON PAY RAISE EMAIL AND MEMO
From: Large, Linda Sullivan
Sent: Wed 5/9/2007 10:09 AM
To: Associates-DC; Associates-Northern Virginia; Associates-Baltimore
Cc: Partners1-DC; Partners2-DC; Partners1-Northern Virginia; Partners2-Northern Virginia; Partners1-Baltimore; Partners2-Baltimore; Counsel-DC; Counsel-Northern Virginia; Counsel-Baltimore
Subject: Associate Compensation
MEMORANDUM
To: All Associates in Washington, Northern Virginia, and Baltimore Offices
From: The Executive Committee
Date: May 9, 2007
Re: Associate Compensation – Adjustments Effective May 1, 2007
As we have said consistently, the firm is committed to compensating our associates fairly and competitively in each of the markets in which we practice. In light of recent market changes for a number of national firms with offices in California and Washington and our commitment to maintaining compensation levels that will allow the firm to attract and retain the most highly qualified associates in all of our markets, we are increasing compensation for associates in the Washington, Baltimore, and Northern Virginia offices as set forth in the attached schedule, which includes increasing the top entry-level associate rate to $160,000.
Standard base compensation for associates in the Washington, Baltimore and Northern Virginia offices, effective as of May 1, 2007, will be as follows:
Hogan & Hartson
Class Year Standard Base Compensation at 1,950 Hours Standard Base Compensation at 1,800 Hours
2006 $160,000 $125,000
2005 $170,000 $135,000
2004 $185,000 $150,000
2003 $210,000 $162,500
2002 $230,000 $175,000
2001 $250,000 $185,000
2000 $265,000 $197,500
1999 and More Senior $280,000 $207,500
As has been our longstanding practice, we will continue to make a special year end payment to associates who are compensated at the 1,800 hour level but who work more than 1,800 hours to take into account on a proportionate basis the higher compensation paid to associates who are compensated at the 1,950 hour level.
We appreciate your dedication and contributions to the continued success of the firm.
Please direct any questions or comments to Warren Gorrell, any member of the Executive Committee, or your Practice Area Administrator.
cc: All Partners in the Washington, Northern Virginia, and Baltimore Offices
All Counsel in the Washington, Northern Virginia, and Baltimore Offices
Linda Large, Administrative Assistant
HOGAN & HARTSON LLP
Columbia Square, 555 Thirteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004

Sponsored