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Associate Bonus Watch: WilmerHale in Washington

associate bonus watch 2007 law firm Above the Law blog.jpgYesterday the D.C. office of WilmerHale made its bonus announcement. Here's a summary from a source at the firm:

The bonus memo came out today. Yay! Salaries are the same. For the class of 2006, the hours guideline for bonuses is:

Hours Bonus
1,850 $15,000
2,000 $35,000
2,200 $40,000
2,400 $45,000

Management gave the caveat that bonuses were awarded for 1,850 hours only in some cases, basically for practices that were slow in which 2,000 hours could not be billed. The firm repeated that it expects lawyers to bill 2,000 hours per year (including pro bono).

If you have info on other classes, feel free to send it our way by email.

Update: A second source confirms the numbers above for first-year associates, and adds: "This was conveyed in personal letters stating our salary and bonus levels. New associates who started in the fall received prorated bonuses."

Comments
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1 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 2:10 PM

FURSTY

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2 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 2:10 PM

what's a "layer"? Is that like a lawyer?

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3 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 2:11 PM

who wrote this email? Elle Woods?

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4 Posted by Yeah Boy! | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 2:11 PM

If you billed 2400 hours you are either"

(a) single and fat
(b) single and fugly
(c) married and hate your spouse
(d) a liar

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5 Posted by stub bonuses | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 2:15 PM

Did Wilmer pay any bonus to Class 2007 associates?

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6 Posted by barry | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 2:19 PM

Ooo OOO I sorta think that billing 1850 on top of 2000 just to get 15000 dollars seems like a lot of work. Anyone? HOLLA?! And what's "prob ono?" It's like, "oh crap, we've got a problem: call in the layers!!!" Dureing OCI, I didn't interview with Wilmerhale, but I heard that everyone there owns a boat, except for maybe the copy people. can't wait until I AM a summer associate; we'll roll, my pals!

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8 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 2:25 PM

>what's a "layer"? Is that like a lawyer?

Yes, except with bricks.

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9 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 2:28 PM

Wow, I know reader comments are supposed to be dumb, but this is taking it to a new level.

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10 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 2:29 PM

barry rules

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11 Posted by anon | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 2:30 PM

So, above 2,200, an extra 200 hours, i.e. a solid month's work, gets you $5,000 before taxes? Lame.

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12 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 2:30 PM

Wasn't this the firm that said they were donating money to charity in lieu of bonuses? Or am I thinking of something else?

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13 Posted by anon | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 2:33 PM

So, above 2,200, an extra 200 hours, i.e. a solid month's work, gets you $5,000 before taxes? Lame.

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14 Posted by anon | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 2:36 PM

So, above 2,200, an extra 200 hours, i.e. a solid month's work, gets you $5,000 before taxes? Lame.

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15 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 2:39 PM

So, above 2,200, an extra 200 hours, i.e. a solid month's work, gets you $5,000 before taxes? Lame.

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16 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 2:40 PM

Class of 2007 got a bonus that was a pro rated portion of $35,000.

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17 Posted by anonymous | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 2:41 PM

SocGen to 190K.

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18 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 2:44 PM

Hey 230, 233, 236, and 239: Your point is a decent one, but it's not so brilliant that you need to hit post four times just to be absolutely sure that we all have an opportunity to benefit from it. Chill, tool: one click does it.

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19 Posted by Anon | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 2:45 PM

Wilmer Hale. Isn't he the guy on Harold and Maude that the one armed major keep saluting to? GO WH!

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20 Posted by Anon | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 2:51 PM

What about Wilmer Boston?

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21 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 3:12 PM

Hey 244 - So, above 2,200, an extra 200 hours, i.e. a solid month's work, gets you $5,000 before taxes? Lame.

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22 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 3:13 PM

Wilmer Valderama to 190!!!

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23 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 3:20 PM

Does anybody -- anybody!!! -- know how much extra money you get at Wilmer if you bill an extra 200 hours above 2,200????? Help!!

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24 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 3:26 PM

Do all firms pro-rate the 35 to those who just joined? That seems like the only news here.

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25 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 3:28 PM

Hey 230, 233, 236, and 239: Your point is a decent one, but it's not so brilliant that you need to hit post four times just to be absolutely sure that we all have an opportunity to benefit from it. Chill, tool: one click does it.

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26 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 3:30 PM

Hey 230, 233, 236, and 239: Your point is a decent one, but it's not so brilliant that you need to hit post four times just to be absolutely sure that we all have an opportunity to benefit from it. Chill, tool: one click does it.

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27 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 3:33 PM

Touche, 328.

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FOREVER

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29 Posted by wgwag | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 3:36 PM

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30 Posted by wgwag | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 3:36 PM

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31 Posted by wgwag | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 3:36 PM

White Girls With Asian Guys


FOREVER

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32 Posted by wgwag | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 3:36 PM

White Girls With Asian Guys


FOREVER

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33 Posted by wgwag | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 3:36 PM

White Girls With Asian Guys


FOREVER

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34 Posted by 230, 233, 236, and 239 | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 3:41 PM

Sorry for the four posts. LAT's server sucks and the post crashed four times. I didn't even realize it posted once until I checked back an hour later.

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35 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 3:45 PM

They expect 2000 hours per year? Wow, that's pretty sweatshop like. I thought avg was like 1600.

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36 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 3:49 PM

this site sucks today

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37 Posted by 230, 233, 236, and 239 | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 3:51 PM

Sorry for the four posts. LAT's server sucks and the post crashed four times. I didn't even realize it posted once until I checked back an hour later.

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38 Posted by 230, 233, 236, and 239 | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

Sorry for the four posts. LAT's server sucks and the post crashed four times. I didn't even realize it posted once until I checked back an hour later.

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39 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 3:54 PM

Hey 230, 233, 236, and 239: Your point is a decent one, but it's not so brilliant that you need to hit post four times just to be absolutely sure that we all have an opportunity to benefit from it. Chill, tool: one click does it.

avatar
40 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 3:55 PM

Hey 230, 233, 236, and 239: Your point is a decent one, but it's not so brilliant that you need to hit post four times just to be absolutely sure that we all have an opportunity to benefit from it. Chill, tool: one click does it.

avatar
41 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 3:55 PM

Hey 230, 233, 236, and 239: Your point is a decent one, but it's not so brilliant that you need to hit post four times just to be absolutely sure that we all have an opportunity to benefit from it. Chill, tool: one click does it.

avatar
42 Posted by asian guy | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 3:56 PM

white girls dont date asian guys.

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43 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 3:56 PM

Hey 230, 233, 236, and 239: Your point is a decent one, but it's not so brilliant that you need to hit post four times just to be absolutely sure that we all have an opportunity to benefit from it. Chill, tool: one click does it.

avatar
44 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 3:56 PM

Hey 230, 233, 236, and 239: Your point is a decent one, but it's not so brilliant that you need to hit post four times just to be absolutely sure that we all have an opportunity to benefit from it. Chill, tool: one click does it.

avatar
45 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 3:58 PM

FOREVER EVER, FOREVER EVER?

EVER EVER?

Ahh, awesome song.

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46 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 4:00 PM

This is actually funny.

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47 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 4:38 PM

Hey 230, 233, 236, and 239: Your point is a decent one, but it's not so brilliant that you need to hit post four times just to be absolutely sure that we all have an opportunity to benefit from it. Chill, tool: one click does it.

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48 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 5:11 PM

post 1

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49 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 5:13 PM

Hey 244, 328, 330, 354, 355, 355(2), 356, and 356(2): Your response is a decent one, but it's not so brilliant that you need to hit post eight times just to be absolutely sure that we all have an opportunity to benefit from it. Chill, tool: one click does it.

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50 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 5:48 PM

it's easy to post once

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51 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 5:50 PM

it's also easy to post twice

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52 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 5:51 PM

it's also easy to post twice

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53 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 5:52 PM

but you chimps who post the same crap 5 times are retarded. servers be damned, it's just not that complicated.

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54 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 6:14 PM

Hey 244, 328, 330, 354, 355, 355(2), 356, and 356(2): Your response is a decent one, but it's not so brilliant that you need to hit post eight times just to be absolutely sure that we all have an opportunity to benefit from it. Chill, tool: one click does it.

avatar
55 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 6:14 PM

Hey 244, 328, 330, 354, 355, 355(2), 356, and 356(2): Your response is a decent one, but it's not so brilliant that you need to hit post eight times just to be absolutely sure that we all have an opportunity to benefit from it. Chill, tool: one click does it.

avatar
56 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 6:15 PM

Hey 244, 328, 330, 354, 355, 355(2), 356, and 356(2): Your response is a decent one, but it's not so brilliant that you need to hit post eight times just to be absolutely sure that we all have an opportunity to benefit from it. Chill, tool: one click does it.

avatar
57 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 6:32 PM

the servers are double-fucked today. I posted at 5:13 ONCE, and did not hit refresh or back or even remain on the site, and then my post appeared three more times an hour later (when I wasn't on the site at all). I'm familiar with the usual bs here, but this is a brand new glitch.

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58 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 6:32 PM

but you chimps who post the same crap 5 times are retarded. servers be damned, it's just not that complicated.

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59 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 6:33 PM

but you chimps who post the same crap 5 times are retarded. servers be damned, it's just not that complicated.

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60 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 6:34 PM

but you chimps who post the same crap 5 times are retarded. servers be damned, it's just not that complicated.

avatar
61 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 7:40 PM

but you chimps who post the same crap 5 times are retarded. servers be damned, it's just not that complicated.

avatar
62 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 7:44 PM

but you chimps who post the same crap 5 times are retarded. servers be damned, it's just not that complicated.

avatar
63 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 8:39 PM

So, above 2,200, an extra 200 hours, i.e. a solid month's work, gets you $5,000 before taxes? Lame.

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64 Posted by guest | Permalink Friday, January 25, 2008 9:43 PM

How does this compare to bonuses at Jones Day DC?

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65 Posted by Soon to be at WilmerHale | Permalink Saturday, January 26, 2008 1:53 PM

Wilmer needs to raise base salary to $180K to match Williams and Connoly and lead the DC market. That said, their bonus was decent.

Anyone know if working just over 2000 hours is considered good career-wise, or do they really expect more?

Also, LAT, please clean up this wall and delete all the stupid multiple postings. You may want to put in a piece of software that doesnt let an identical item get posted from the same IP address.

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66 Posted by guest | Permalink Saturday, January 26, 2008 10:36 PM

9:43: JD DC did NOT give out any bonuses. I'm sure associates' resumes are zipping around Washington looking for a firm that has a real compensation system.

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67 Posted by guest | Permalink Monday, January 28, 2008 11:08 AM

LAT -- Post about JD DC already!

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68 Posted by Anon | Permalink Monday, January 28, 2008 11:15 AM

Any news on Wilmer Boston?????????????

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