California Biglaw Powerhouse Announces $190K Salary Scale For Associates

Yet another firm matches Milbank's mad money.

Earlier this week, California-based litigation boutique Hueston Hennigan became the first firm to officially adopt Milbank’s new $190K salary structure. We knew it was only a matter of time before an elite West Coast Biglaw firm would match Milbank’s mad money, and it looks like today’s that day, because Irell & Manella has decided to join the party.

Hot off of the prestigious firm’s market-busting December bonuses, Irell — a firm that’s widely known to beat the market when it comes to associate compensation — has now matched the Milbank salary scale, which looks like this:

  • Classes 18/17 $190,000 (+10,000)
  • Class 2016 $200,000 (+10,000)
  • Class 2015 $220,000 (+10,000)
  • Class 2014 $250,000 (+15,000)
  • Class 2013 $275,000 (+15,000)
  • Class 2012 $295,000 (+15,000)
  • Class 2011 $315,000 (+15,000)
  • Class 2010 $330,000 (+15,000)

Unfortunately, Irell has not joined Simpson Thacher in announcing special summer bonuses, but we’re still holding out hope that other firms will do their associates a solid and offer up some additional bonus cash on top of their raises. Nonetheless, congratulations to everyone at Irell & Manella on the new pay scale!

Remember everyone, we depend on your tips to stay on top of important salary updates, so when your firm matches, please text us (646-820-8477) or email us (subject line: “[Firm Name] Matches Milbank”). Please include the memo if available. You can take a photo of the memo and send it via text or email if you don’t want to forward the original PDF or Word file.

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Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky has been an editor at Above the Law since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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