Boutique Law Firms

The First Firm To Blow Cravath Bonuses Out Of The Water

Which firm is offering its associates bountiful bonuses?

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Admit it: Biglaw associates want bigger and better bonuses. Biglaw has had the same bonus structure for the past three years, and whether associates would like to admit it or not, everyone keeps hoping that another firm will come over the top to force their own firm to match and further fatten their bank accounts. It’s early yet in bonus season 2018, and one firm is already exceeding Cravath’s bonuses by quite a lot.

But will any other firms match?

Kaplan Hecker & Fink, a firm that’s existed for less than two years, is already punching above its weight. The firm matched Cravath bonuses when it was less than one year old, raised associate salaries to the $190K scale this summer, and has now raised the bar on bonus bucks. Just how high are the bonuses at this firm?

Class of 2017 — $25,000 ($10K higher than Cravath)
Class of 2016 — $37,500 ($12.5K higher than Cravath)
Class of 2015 — $65,000 ($15K higher than Cravath)
Class of 2014 — $85,000 ($20K higher than Cravath)
Class of 2013 — $105,000 ($25K higher than Cravath)
Class of 2012 — $120,000 ($30K higher than Cravath)
Class of 2011 — $130,000 ($30K higher than Cravath)

Not only are Kaplan Hecker & Fink’s bonuses higher than Cravath’s, but the firm will also be contributing to a profit sharing plan for each associate. On top of all of that, the firm truly embraces social justice causes, and as noted in their bonus memo, “because we understand that there are so many people and causes that desperately need our help in the world today,” Kaplan Hecker is going to match up to $2,500 of all attorney and staff donations to nonprofits through the end of the year.

Kaplan Hecker & Fink’s bonus bounty will hit bank accounts on December 21. How could you not love this firm? If you want to get in on the action, we hear they’re hiring. Congratulations to the firm on a fantastic year, and congratulations to all associates for these market-busting bonuses! What a nice reward for your hard work!

(Flip to the next page to see the Kaplan Hecker & Fink bonus memo.)

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Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked 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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