Legendary Litigator's Law Firm Raises The Bar For Associate Salaries

This is the first women-led boutique firm to have matched the new Biglaw salary scale.

Last summer, legendary litigator Roberta A. Kaplan — whose history-making Supreme Court win in United States v. Windsor toppled the Defense of Marriage Act — left the partnership of Paul Weiss to launch her own litigation boutique, Kaplan & Company. This summer, the firm is up to some of its own legendary activity. In its first year of existence, Kaplan & Co. is now the first women-led boutique firm to have matched Cravath’s new salary scale.

As if you needed a reminder, here is the breakdown of associate salaries under Cravath’s new scale that was announced earlier this week:

  • Class of 2017: $190,000
  • Class of 2016: $200,000
  • Class of 2015: $220,000
  • Class of 2014: $255,000
  • Class of 2013: $280,000
  • Class of 2012: $305,000
  • Class of 2011: $325,000
  • Class of 2010: $340,000

Robbie Kaplan, the firm’s founding partner, says of the raises, “We are 100% committed to a standard of excellence in every area and for every client of our firm, from cutting edge tech companies to large corporations to the plaintiffs suing neo Nazis in Charlottesville. Our lawyers get the kinds of ‘hands on’ experience that isn’t practical at a large law firm, and our clients get their matters handled as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. As a result, we need to make sure that we continue to attract and retain the most talented, brilliant and creative litigators in the country.”

Julie Fink, the firm’s managing partner, echoed Robbie’s comments, noting, “We care deeply about our team, their quality of life, and opportunities for professional development. When we started this firm we promised ourselves we’d break the mold in many ways, and our associates program is built to do just that.”

Congratulations to Kaplan & Co.’s star-studded roster of associates on their raises!

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] Raises Salaries”). 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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