Dickstein Shapiro

14 Jan 2010 at 1:15 PM
Associate Salaries, Biglaw, Dickstein Shapiro, Killing Lockstep, Money, Salary Cuts

Dickstein Shapiro: New Salary Structure Leaves A Lot of Questions

By Elie Mystal

Add Dickstein Shapiro to the list of firms that have decided to do away with lockstep associate compensation. As of January 22, Dickstein will adopt a new merit-based compensation system. Like many firms that have abandoned lockstep, Dickstein will be using a three-tiered system, similar to Orrick’s compensation structure.

Starting salary for new Dickstein associates will be $145,000. Or maybe it will be $160,000. Honestly, I can’t tell you with certainty what new associates will be making.

It’s not my fault. I read the original memo and everything. I talked to friends and sources and a spokesperson for the firm. I prayed on it. I just can’t seem to pin down one solid number for first-year associate salaries.

After the jump, why don’t you guys take a look at the memo? Maybe you’ll have more success divining its meaning than I did.

Continue reading “Dickstein Shapiro: New Salary Structure Leaves A Lot of Questions”

46 Comments

Tags: Associate Compensation, Associate Salaries, Biglaw, Compensation, Dickstein Shapiro, Killing Lockstep, Merit Based Compensation, Money, Salaries, Salary Cuts

07 Jan 2010 at 12:29 PM
Associate Bonus Watch 2009, Biglaw, Bonuses, Dickstein Shapiro, Kasowitz Benson, Money

Associate Bonus Watch: Kasowitz Benson

By David Lat

We’re still catching up on associate bonus news. There have been some memos we’ve missed, including some from last month (technically, last year). If we haven’t reported on your firm’s bonus announcement, please email us. Don’t assume that one of your colleagues will submit the memo; that’s not necessarily the case.

Today we belatedly bring you bonus news from Kasowitz Benson. On December 31, the firm announced “benchmark” bonuses that appear to follow the Sullivan & Cromwell scale. But the memo notes that these are just “benchmark amounts, which are subject to adjustment to reflect individual performance and hours worked.” In the memo’s bonus table, the words “of up to” appear in between the words “Year-end bonus” and the dollar amount.

In addition, even some Kasowitz associates who received the full market amount aren’t happy. Find out why, and check out the full memo, after the jump.

Continue reading “Associate Bonus Watch: Kasowitz Benson”

21 Comments

Tags: Aaron H. Marks, Aaron Marks, Associate Bonus Watch, Associate Bonus Watch 2009, Associate Bonuses, Biglaw, Bonuses, Dickstein Shapiro, Kasowitz Benson, Marc E. Kasowitz, Marc Kasowitz, Money

30 Dec 2009 at 10:28 AM
Akin Gump, Allen & Overy, Contests, Crowell & Moring, Dickstein Shapiro, Goodwin Procter, Haynes and Boone, Holidays and Seasons, Nixon Peabody, Reader Polls

ATL Contest: Holiday Card Coolness

By David Lat

Before Christmas, we highlighted one law firm holiday card that we particularly enjoyed (from Haynes and Boone). We also invited readers to email us with other holiday cards we might enjoy. We stated that, if we received sufficient submissions, we might even hold a contest.

Lo and behold, we did receive enough entrants. So we are happy to hold Above the Law’s first holiday card contest.

Check out the nominees and vote — you’re stuck in the office between Christmas and New Year’s, and you’re bored — after the jump.

Continue reading “ATL Contest: Holiday Card Coolness”

51 Comments

Tags: Akin Gump, Allen & Overy, Contests, CooperKatz, Crowell & Moring, Dickstein Shapiro, Goodwin Procter, Gordon & Rees, Haynes and Boone, Hellerman Baretz, Holidays and Seasons, Nixon Peabody, Reader Polls, Shareholder Representative Services

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Above the Law

A Legal Tabloid - News, Insights, and Colorful Commentary on Law Firms and the Legal Profession

Managing Editor: David Lat
Editor: Elie Mystal
Assistant Editor: Staci Zaretsky
Contributors: Kashmir Hill, Marin, Mark Herrmann, Jay Shepherd