Biglaw

Biglaw Firm Succumbs To Pressure, Gives First-Year Associates A Bonus

Sometimes complaining pays off.

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Last we heard about bonuses at Akin Gump, first-year associates were pissed.

While the rest of the firm was getting hefty market bonuses, the Class of 2017 was left out in the cold with no bonuses — not even of the pro-rated variety — to speak of. As a tipster noted at the time:

No bonus for first-years with crushing student loan debt.

But it now seems as though the firm has had a change of heart. Yesterday, we heard from sources at the firm who revealed Akin Gump would pony up the money for first-years:

Akin Gump had a bonus town hall today and announced that class of 2017 will in fact be paid a pro-rated bonus.

It seems keeping the pressure on the firm and pointing out the inconsistencies with market practices actually succeeded in changing the firm’s position. We reached out to the firm and an Akin Gump spokesperson confirmed the policy change:

Akin Gump maintains a strong commitment to offering its associates and counsel bonuses that meet or exceed the market rate. Consistent with that approach, we were pleased to announce prorated bonuses to our first-year associate class.

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Just goes to show, if you’re unhappy about something at your firm, perhaps some pointed criticism is the way to go. And your friendly Above the Law editors are happy to assist. So if anyone wants to complain about bonuses — or just about anything else — feel free to sound off by email, by text message (646-820-8477), or by tweet (@ATLblog).

We’d love to hear from you, and you never know — you might actually change something at your firm.

headshotKathryn Rubino is an editor at Above the Law. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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