Woohoo! Free money from my firm!
With graduation behind you and the bar exam lurking just ahead, you’re looking forward to starting at your new law firm in a few short months. There’s just one problem: How are you going to survive the summer before you receive your first paycheck? Luckily, some Biglaw firms offer salary advances or bar exam stipends, so incoming first-year associates won’t be left in the lurch.
One law firm recently sent its incoming associates some welcome news about an increase to its bar stipend. This is the email that Linda M. Doyle, who serves as chief human resources officer, deputy general counsel, and hiring partner at McDermott Will & Emery, sent out to the firm’s soon-to-be new associates yesterday afternoon:
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McDermott’s new $5,000 bar stipend represents an increase of $2,000 over what the firm used to offer to incoming associates preparing to take the test. Congratulations to MWE first-years on their extra cash — use it wisely as you prepare to conquer the July 2016 administration of the bar exam. We’ll also wish you luck, because with the unimpressive pass rates we’ve seen for the past several exam dates, you may need it.
If you’re unfamiliar with your firm’s policies on benefits like the one McDermott Will is offering, you may want to consult our exhaustive list of the advances, bonuses, benefits, and stipends available for first-year attorneys. If you see any information about your firm that is incorrect or needs to be updated, please email us so we can revise the list.
Earlier: Law Firm Advances, Bonuses, Benefits & Stipends for First-Years
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Staci Zaretsky is an editor at Above the Law. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments. Follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.