Associate Bonus Watch: A Potpourri Of Payment Scales

Bonus reports from several different law firms -- mostly good news.

Bonus information is flying fast and furious. There are two types of firms that we are not going to cover in this post but expect to cover soon: (1) firms that we need more tips about, such as Sidley Austin and Kellogg Huber, and (2) firms that initially announced Simpson Thacher bonuses and have not yet matched the higher Davis Polk scale (because we want to give them time to get with the program). If you have info about a firm in either category that you’d like to share with us, please email us or text us (646-820-8477).

For now we’re going to bring you bonus news from 4 firms:

1. Weil Gotshal: WGM announced Simpson-scale bonuses last month. This afternoon, Weil did what all the cool kids are doing and adopted the Davis Polk scale.

2. Fried Frank: FFHSJ also originally announced STB bonuses in November. But yesterday we received this report:

Fried Frank associates are ecstatic after being told today in reviews that FFHSJ will be matching the DPW scale come bonus time!

A memo confirming the news subsequently appeared:

Fried Frank just announced that bonuses are being increased (beating STB scale). Memo was circulated to firm in the middle of the firm’s holiday party. Needless to say, folks are really thirlled at the firm’s gesture. We’ve all been very busy and it’s wonderful to know our hard work is appreciated.

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Flip to the next page for the full Fried Frank memo — which points out that in addition to paying Davis-scale bonuses, the firm will pay additional bonuses of up to $15,000 “to associates of all levels who have demonstrated exceptional performance.” So Fried Frank could be viewed as beating the market in a sense.

3. Kaye Scholer: Here is what the firm’s doing:

Kaye Scholer is pleased to announce that associates, in recognition for their commitment and dedication to the Firm and its clients, will once again receive bonus based on two “Tiers” of payments:

  • Tier 1 or “Standard” Bonus Criteria: An Associate who has billed 2,000 hours or more, of which up to 200 hours may be any combination of Pro Bono and Firm Citizenship hours (i.e., at least 1,800 hours must be billable), qualifies for a Tier 1 bonus, as in past programs.
  • Tier 2 or “Extraordinary” Bonus Criteria: Consistent with past practice, and in recognition of the fact that extraordinary effort is often accompanied by an extraordinary amount of time devoted to the clients’ needs, Associates in good standing who bill 2,400 or more hours, of which up to 200 hours may be any combination of Pro Bono and Firm Citizenship hours (i.e., at least 2,200 hours must be billable), will receive the maximum Tier 2 bonus amount for their class year.

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The “Tier 1” bonuses match the Simpson Thacher bonus scale, while the “Tier 2” bonuses exceed the Davis Polk bonus scale. An interesting approach — regular performers at Kaye Scholer will get less than market, but top performers will get more than market.

4. Ropes & Gray: So consider this report “Ropes & Gray Part 1.” On Friday, the firm announced bonuses for the classes of 2014, 2013, and 2012, of $15,000 (prorated), $15,000, and $25,000, respectively. Those bonuses match the Simpson and Davis scales (which do not diverge as to the three most-junior classes).

But what did Ropes do for more-senior classes? Did it go with Simpson Thacher or Davis Polk? If you can enlighten us, please email us or text us (646-820-8477).

We’ll have additional bonus news later in the week. Flip to the next page for the Fried Frank and Ropes & Gray memos.


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