VINSON & ELKINS — MEMORANDUM — 2014 ASSOCIATE BONUSES
From: Mark Kelly
To: All Associates – Domestic
Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2015
Subject: Message to U.S. Associates
On behalf of the Partnership, we would like to thank each of you for your contributions to the Firm in 2014. The Firm had an outstanding year in 2014, not only in terms of financial performance, but more importantly in achieving outstanding results for our clients.
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Associate Bonuses for 2014
We continue to be committed to paying competitive bonuses in all of our markets. Using the productivity levels that we have historically used, our most productive associates will receive bonuses at least commensurate with the New York scale. In some cases, we will be paying higher, individualized bonuses to associates who had an extraordinary year, in terms of hours and personal performance. The chart below shows the median and high U.S. bonus amounts by class year for full-time/full-year associates receiving bonuses:
| Year | Median | High |
| 2006 | $110,000 | $120,000 |
| 2007 | $120,000 | $120,000 |
| 2008 | $90,000 | $110,000 |
| 2009 | $80,000 | $100,000 |
| 2010 | $65,000 | $80,000 |
| 2011 | $50,000 | $60,000 |
| 2012 | $25,000 | $32,500 |
| 2013 | $10,000 | $20,000 |
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The class of 2014 will receive $3,750.
2015 U.S. Associate Base Compensation
Individualized associate compensation letters will be distributed today*, with bonus amounts being deposited in your account on or before Friday, January 30. In general, our base salary scale for U.S.-based associates will remain the same as 2014, with class-year advancements in base salary. Counsel and Staff Attorney bonus amounts will be determined individually, and those letters will be distributed on Wednesday, January 27, 2015.
2015 Bonus Expectations
For 2015, we will continue to pay bonuses based on market conditions and the Firm’s achievement of its financial goals. We expect that associate bonuses will continue to become more customized and individualized going forward. Our historic productivity levels will continue to be a foundation for setting bonus amounts, counting client hours and firm credit hours, including pro bono. In addition, excellence, business development, training and mentoring, recruiting, and overall personal performance will be taken into account.
We want to thank you for your contributions to the Firm and your continued commitment to delivering excellent service to our clients.
Mark [Kelly] and Scott [Wulfe]
*New York associates will receive their compensation letters on Wednesday when the office reopens due to the blizzard.
Earlier: Associate Bonus Watch: Vinson & Elkins
Associate Bonus Watch: Baker & McKenzie, Hogan Lovells, Haynes And Boone