Staff Bonus Watch: Open Thread (Kicked Off By Orrick And Vinson & Elkins)

One firm is paying $500; another firm is paying $1,000 (or more). What's your firm doing?

Above the Law’s readership is large; it contains multitudes. We are read by people at all stages of their legal careers, from prospective law students all the way up to managing partners, general counsel, and judges.

And not all of our readers are lawyers. Many of our readers, especially our Biglaw readers, are staff — administrative assistants, paralegals, and other non-lawyer legal professionals. Back in December, one such reader wrote us as follows:

You guys provide a ton of coverage on attorney bonuses but nothing on staff. Which makes no sense since most firms have more staff than attorneys. And most attorneys can’t tie their shoes or find their way to the courthouse without staff help. Don’t get me started on attorneys and copy machines. And in my experience most attorneys have no idea how much the staff is getting screwed at bonus time.

Same story on how firms get awarded best firms for women (so that they can have babies and still make a s**t ton of money) — but the staff gets really crappy maternity leave at a severely reduced salary. Considering that staff can’t afford a nanny like most mid to big firm attorneys, this is especially sh**ty.

Just a thought as a law firm staff employee with a master’s degree and ten years experience who got a $50 Christmas bonus last year. Happy Holidays!

Happily, not all firms are so stingy to staff. On Monday of this week, Orrick announced staff bonuses ten times the size of that $50 tip:

And Orrick is not alone in its generosity to staff. Back in January, Vinson & Elkins — whose associate bonuses were very well received — announced robust staff bonuses, citing the firm’s “outstanding year in 2014, not only in terms of financial performance, but more importantly in achieving outstanding results for our clients.” The V&E staff bonuses ranged from 20 to 25 percent of the staffer’s 2014 monthly compensation. For someone earning $60,000, that would amount to $1,000 to $1,250.

What is your firm doing in terms of staff bonuses? Is it paying out two-figure, three-figure, or four-figure bonuses? Please post information in the comments to this open thread.

(Flip to the next page to read the complete Orrick and V&E staff bonus memos.)

Sponsored

Earlier: Associate Bonus Watch: Vinson & Elkins
Associate Bonus Watch: Orrick Opens Up The Coffers
Associate Bonus Watch: A West Coast Round-Up

Sponsored


Bonus Time

Enter your email address to sign up for ATL's Bonus & Salary Increase Alerts.