Biglaw, Bonuses, Money

Associate Bonus Watch: Same As It Ever Was

Two firms -- a top IP litigation firm, and a Magic Circle member -- do exactly what they did last year.

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We recently wondered about bonuses this year at Irell & Manella. Ask and you shall receive. We received several reports about bonuses at I&M, and it turns out that the firm did exactly what it did last year. It paid above-market bonuses according to the following scale (with the market bonus, i.e., Cravath, indicated parenthetically):

Class of 2015: 20 (15)
Class of 2014: 20 (15)
Class of 2013: 30 (25)
Class of 2012: 60 (50)
Class of 2011: 75 (65)
Class of 2010: 90 (80)
Class of 2009: 105 (90)
Class of 2008: 115 (100)
Class of 2007: 120 (100)

As was the case last year, the Irell sources we’ve heard from aren’t particularly pleased. The bonuses didn’t come as a major surprise, after Cravath and the New York market stuck to their guns, but some Irell tipsters expressed frustration because (1) Irell had a busy second half of the year and (2) Hueston Hennigan, populated largely by ex-Irell lawyers, just announced well-received bonuses.

In other snooze-inducing bonus news, the Magic Circle firm of Linklaters announced on Wednesday that it will be paying year-end bonuses at New York market levels on December 30 to all U.S.-based associates in good standing. This is also exactly what the firm did last year, and exactly what the firm always does.

“Everyone is pleased,” one source said. “Not unexpected — Links always matches. Happy they’re paid out this year. A bit annoyed with the late announcement, but not really a big deal.”

If you have bonus news we haven’t yet covered, even if it isn’t earth-shattering, send it our way by email or by text message (646-820-8477). Thanks, and happy holidays.

Earlier: Associate Bonus Watch: Another Boutique Beats Biglaw
Associate Bonus Watch: 10 Leading Law Firms — Who’s Naughty And Who’s Nice?

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