Earlier this year, partner bonuses at Hogan Lovells generated some controversy across the pond. Certain partners in London questioned the process by which payments were determined and wondered whether partners in management received too much relative to rank-and-file partners. Squabbles over partner pay are something the firm’s incoming CEO, D.C.-based Stephen Immelt, can look forward to addressing when he takes over next summer.
Let’s now turn from partner pay in London to associate pay in New York. The NYC office of Ho-Love recently showed its associates some love, in the form of year-end bonuses. Were they as controversial as the London partner payouts?
Paying for Law School in 2025: A Straight-Talk Playbook
Juno has consistently secured the best private loan deals for students at the Top MBA programs since 2018—now they’re bringing that same offer to law students, at no cost. Students can check their personalized offers at juno.us/atl This article is for general information only and is not personal financial advice.
Hardly. Associates in Hogan Lovells’s New York office who hit 2000 hours received standard market bonuses (i.e., the Cravath scale). Associates between 1900 and 2000 hours received partial bonuses. Nothing terribly exciting.
Does anything stand out about the firm’s approach to bonuses? “The firm has been great about pro bono hours counting” towards the cutoffs, one associate told us.
What will bonuses in other offices of Hogan Lovells look like? If you have bonus information that you’d like to share, about Hogan Lovells or any other notable firm, please email us or text us (646-820-8477). We’re in a very quiet period for Biglaw right now, but we’re happy to keep the fires burning on bonus news as long as you give us some tinder. Thanks.
Hogan Lovells defends firm’s bonus scheme in face of partner criticism [Legal Week (sub. req.)]
Hogan Lovells Appoints Steve Immelt as new CEO [Hogan Lovells (press release)]
Skills That Set Firms Apart
Legal expertise alone isn’t enough. Today’s most successful firms invest in developing the skills that drive collaboration, leadership, and business growth. Our on-demand, customizable training modules deliver practical, high-impact learning for attorneys and staff—when and where they need it.
Earlier: Associate Bonus Watch (2011): Hogan Lovells
Beyond Biglaw: Year-End Reflections