Since we broke the news of the market bonus scale for associates at large law firms in the United States — a trend that was started by Baker McKenzie on Wednesday, November 11, 2020, and finally followed by Cravath on Monday, November 23, 2020 (with the addition of special bonuses) — many firms quickly fell in line and matched the scale. When will your firm announce its bonuses?
As usual, we are compiling a table of all the firms that have already matched the new bonus scale, whether special bonuses are or were included, the minimum hours required to receive those bonuses (if available), and the date those bonuses will be paid. Today, we unveil that table for your viewing pleasure. We will be updating this table on a daily basis, sometimes multiple times, as news on bonuses is announced. If you see any information here that is incorrect or needs clarification, let us know.
Help us help you now (and if/when you decide to make a lateral move in the future). Let us know what your firm’s minimum billable hours targets are for bonus eligibility and when your firm will pay those bonuses. You generally must remain at your firm until the payout date to receive them, as stated in most memos, which could make it all the more difficult for you to leave your place of employment.
A Career In Legal Services: Practising Law Institute Honors Toby J. Rothschild
PLI honors Toby J. Rothschild with its inaugural Victor J. Rubino Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Training, recognizing his dedication and impact.
As a little reminder, we love covering the Biglaw bonus season, but we need your help. As soon as your firm’s bonus memo comes out, please email it to us (subject line: “[Firm Name] Bonus”). We always keep our sources on bonus stories anonymous. There’s no need to send the memo using your firm email account; your personal email account is fine. Please be sure to include the memo as proof; we like to post complete bonus memos as a service to our readers. You can take a photo of the memo and attach as a picture if you are worried about metadata in a PDF or Word file.
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| Firm | Date Matched | Special Bonuses Matched | Minimum Hours | Payout Date |
| Baker McKenzie Class of 2019: $15K Class of 2012+: $100K |
FIRST MOVER November 11, 2020 |
2000 hours for year-end bonus; 1900 hours for special bonus (including 125 approved pro bono and diversity and inclusion hours) | January 29, 2021 | |
| Cravath Class of 2020: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2013: $100K |
November 23, 2020 | Yes | None | December 18, 2020 |
| Paul Weiss Class of 2020: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2013+: $100K |
November 23, 2020 | Yes | None | December 18, 2020 |
| Cleary Class of 2020: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2013+: $100K |
November 24, 2020 | Yes | None | December 22, 2020 |
| Skadden Class of 2019: $15K Class of 2013+: $100K or $110K |
November 24, 2020 | Yes | 1800 “productive hours”; additional $10K bonuses available for Class of 2014+ for “extraordinary performance” | December 18, 2020 |
| Milbank Class of 2020: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2012: $100K |
November 24, 2020 | Yes | None | On or before December 31, 2020 |
| Clifford Chance Class of 2019: $15K Class of 2013+: $100K |
November 25, 2020 | Yes | None | January 15, 2021 |
| Debevoise Class of 2020: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2013+: $100K |
November 25, 2020 | Yes (and 2020 associates are eligible) | None | “Payable at year end” |
| Ropes & Gray Class of 2020: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2018: $25K Class of 2017+: Determined individually |
November 25, 2020 | Yes (1300 hours) | 1900 hours (including pro bono); additional bonuses for 2100+ hours | December 24, 2020 |
| Freshfields Class of 2020: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2013+: $100K |
November 25, 2020 | Yes | None | December 15, 2020 |
| Morgan Lewis Class of 2019: $15K Class of 2013: $100K |
November 25, 2020 | Yes (associates ineligible for year-end bonuses due to productivity may receive special bonus if they annualize 1900 hours from September through December, including pro bono and COVID-19 projects) | 1900 hours (including pro bono and all time spent on COVID-19 projects not otherwise billable) | January 2021 |
| Proskauer Class of 2020: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2012: $100K |
November 25, 2020 | Yes | None | December 22, 2020 |
| Ashurst Class of 2020: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2012: $100K |
November 25, 2020 | No | 1900 hours to receive 65% of bonus 2200 hours to receive 100% of bonus |
Undisclosed |
| Fried Frank Class of 2019: $15K Class of 2012+: $100K |
November 30, 2020 | Yes | 2000 hours to receive 100% of bonus (comprised of billable hours, firm matter hours, pro bono hours (including 20 mandatory), and qualifying non-billable hours) | December 31, 2020 |
| Weil Gotshal Class of 2020: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2013+: $100K |
December 1, 2020 | Yes (hours-based) | None | January 29, 2021 |
| Paul Hastings Class of 2019: $15K Class of 2013+: $100K |
December 1, 2020 | Yes (hours-based, “qualifying criteria for time worked and closed for the period from February 1 through August 31, 2020, inclusive of approved special non-billable COVID-related time”) | 2000 hours | December 18, 2020 for special bonuses March 5, 2021 for year-end bonuses |
| Simpson Thacher Class of 2020: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2012: $100K |
December 1, 2020 | Yes | None | December 21, 2020 |
| Davis Polk Class of 2020: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2013+: $100K |
December 1, 2020 | Yes | None | December 15, 2020 |
| Willkie Farr Class of 2019: $15K Class of 2013+: $100K |
December 1, 2020 | Yes | None | December 18, 2020 |
| Shearman & Sterling Class of 2019: $15K Class of 2013+: $100K |
December 2, 2020 | Yes | Bonus amounts at the firm are discretionary and based on performance | December 18, 2020 |
| White & Case Class of 2019: $15K Class of 2012: $100K |
December 3, 2020 | Yes | 2000 hours | December 31, 2020 for special bonuses February 14, 2021 for year-end bonuses |
| Wilkinson Stekloff Class of 2020: $22.5K Class of 2013+: $150K |
December 4, 2020 | Yes ($10K for all class years) | None | December 15, 2020 |
| Allen & Overy Class of 2020: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2012: $100K |
December 4, 2020 | Yes | None | January 15, 2021 |
| Fenwick & West Tier 1/Level 1: $15K Tier 3: $100K |
December 4, 2020 | Yes (additional $20K bonus on top of special bonus for 2300 hours; plus, for rest/relaxation bonus, additional $3K for 2100 hours; $7K for 2300 hours; and $12K for 2500 hours) | 1950 hours (including billable client work, pro bono work, client service for the firm, and all other approved hours) | December 18, 2020 |
| Kramer Levin Class of 2019: $15K Class of 2013+: $100K |
December 4, 2020 | Yes (must have 1800 bonus-eligible hours, of which at least 1600 hours must be time spent on billable matters and/or partner-directed business development) | 1800 hours | February 15, 2021 |
| Sullivan & Cromwell Class of 2019: $15K Class of 2012+: $100K |
December 7, 2020 | Yes | None | December 18, 2020 |
| Schulte Class of 2019: $15K Class of 2011: $100K |
December 9, 2020 | Yes (1800 hours; if fewer than 1600 hours, associates receive a $5K special bonus) | 1800 hours (reduced from 2000 due to the pandemic (if between 1600-1799 hours, associates receive 50% of bonus; step up bonuses from $5K to $15K for reaching 2070 hours, 2250 hours, and 2430 hours) | January 25, 2021 |
| Arnold & Porter Class of 2020: $15K Class of 2016: $65 Senior associates: Individualized by year, up to $140K |
December 9, 2020 | No | 2000 hours (supplemental bonuses of up to 20% of base bonuses for extraordinary work/productivity (i.e., more than 2400 hours, 2200 of which must be billable)) | Undisclosed |
| Boies Schiller Traditional formula (up to $450K) v. market bonuses Class of 2020: $20K |
December 10, 2020 | Yes | For market bonuses: 2000 hours (1900 billable hours plus 100 nonbillable, including diversity training and business development) | Undisclosed |
| Sidley Class of 2019: $15K Class of 2012+: $100K |
December 10, 2020 | Yes (2000 hours) | 2000 hours (1,800 must be a combination of client chargeable and legal services to the firm hours, and the remaining 200 hours can be a combination of pro bono hours, up to a maximum of 50 hours of qualifying knowledge management/practice development, and up to a maximum of 25 hours of qualifying observational training) | Undisclosed |
| Hueston Hennigan All associates in good standing reportedly received bonuses in “many multiples” of the market rate |
December 10, 2020 | Yes | Based on class year, hours, and good standing | Undisclosed |
| Wilson Sonsini Class of 2019: $15K Class of 2013+: $100K |
December 11, 2020 | Yes (1950 hours; bonuses ranging from $2.5K to $7.5K depending on class year for those below 1950 hours) | 1950 hours (including up to 40 hours of pandemic-related emergency paid time off) | January 29, 2021 |
| Tensegrity Associates in good standing reportedly received bonuses in excess of the market Class of 2015: $132.5K Class of 2012: $165K |
December 11, 2020 | Yes (included in year-end bonus) | None | Undisclosed |
| Hogan Lovells Class of 2019: $15K Class of 2013+: $100K |
December 11, 2020 | Yes (no minimum for 1st and 2nd-years; for 3rd-years and up, 1900-1999 hours = 5% of base; 2000-2099 hours = 15% of base; 2100-2199 hours = 25% of base; 2200+ hours = 40% of base) | 2000 hours (including up to 150 pro bono hours until associates meet 1850 hours, then unlimited pro bono hours) | December 31, 2020 |
| Mayer Brown Class of 2019: $15K Class of 2013+: $100K |
December 11, 2020 | Yes | 2000 hours (1900 billable, 100 non-billable) | February 2021 |
| Perkins Coie Individualized (some report market bonuses) |
December 11, 2020 | No | Reported 1950 billable hours target (but some offices have higher targets) | December 31, 2020 |
| Susman Godfrey Class of 2018: $80K Class of 2012+: $170K |
December 14, 2020 | No | None | Undisclosed |
| Sheppard Mullin A1: $15K C2: $100K |
December 14, 2020 | 2000 hours for market bonuses (1900 hours for $7.5K to $50K bonuses; 1950 hours for $11.25K to $75K bonuses; 2200 hours for $16.5K to $110K bonuses; 2400 hours for $18K to $120K bonuses), plus discretionary bonuses also available | January 22, 2021 | |
| Akin Gump Class of 2020: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2012: $100K |
December 14, 2020 | Yes | 1950 billable hours (including pro bono hours, general counsel hours, business development hours, and up to 100 hours of time spent on recruiting, diversity & inclusion, and/or innovation activities); additional bonuses ranging from $5K to $25K for “extraordinary” performance | February 15, 2021 |
| Orrick Associate Year 1: $22.5K (including special bonus) Senior Associate & Of Counsel: $140K (including special bonus) |
December 15, 2020 | Yes (overmarket potential ranging from $3.75K to $25K for excellent performance) | 1950 billable hours (including 100 hours of time spent on areas like diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), innovation, and business development (BD), plus unlimited pro bono hours); those with 1850 to 1949 hours eligible for special merit bonuses ranging from $5K to $15K | Undisclosed |
| Cahill Gordon Class of 2019: $15K Class of 2012: $100K |
December 15, 2020 | Yes (midlevel and senior associates could make more than market here for “particularly exceptional effort and performance” during “generally challenging circumstances” (c/o 2016: $27.5K-$40K; c/o 2015: $32.5K-$50K; c/o 2014: $37K-$75K; c/o 2013: $40K-$100K; c/o 2012: $40K-$100K)) | None | Second half of January 2021 |
| Covington Class of 2020: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2013+: $100K |
December 16, 2020 | Yes (1950 hours, including unlimited pro bono hours) | 1950 hours (including unlimited pro bono hours) | End of January 2021 |
| Winston & Strawn Class of 2019: $15K Class of 2013: $100K Class of 2012: Case by case |
December 16, 2020 | Yes (meet or exceed hours target: 100% of special bonus; meet 75% or more of hours target: 75% of special bonus; below 75% of hours target: 50% of special bonus) | Undisclosed hours target; additional bonuses for associates who “substantially exceed productivity goals” | Early February 2021 |
| Roche Cyrulnik Freedman Class of 2019: $25K Class of 2014: $130K |
December 16, 2020 | Yes (included in year-end bonus) | None | December 31, 2020 |
| Irell & Manella Class of 2019: $25K Class of 2013: $130K |
December 18, 2020 | Yes (plus May bonuses, ranging from pro-rated amounts for first-years to $30.5K for seventh-years) | None | December 23, 2020 |
| Kirkland & Ellis Individualized, above-market bonuses |
December 18, 2020 | Yes< | None | Undisclosed |
| Stoel Rives Discretionary, performance-based bonuses |
December 18, 2020 | Special COVID supplemental bonus of approx. 25% increase in their overall bonus; special 2020 year-end bonus of $1000 | Undisclosed | Undisclosed |
| Linklaters Class of 2019: $15K Class of 2013: $100K |
December 18, 2020 | Yes (1700 hours, including pro bono, required for eligibility; 2200 hours, including pro bono, to receive full amount) | Undisclosed | December 24, 2020 |
| Selendy & Gay Class of 2019: $28K median Class of 2013: $174K median |
December 21, 2020 | Yes (included in year-end bonus) | Bonuses are a combination of prorated lockstep and performance-based | December 24, 2020 |
| Quinn Emanuel Class of 2020: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2012: $100K |
December 21, 2020 | Yes | 2000-2099 hours for bonuses ranging from $10K-$66K (QE will round up to market if associates just missed the 2100 cutoff); 2100-2399 hours for market bonuses; 2400-2699 hours for bonuses ranging from $18K-$120K; 2700+ hours for bonuses ranging from $20K-$135K | Week of December 21, 2020 |
| Alston & Bird Individualized, hours-based bonuses |
December 21, 2020 | No | 1950 hours (including a maximum of 150 pro bono hours) | Week of December 21, 2020 |
| Katten Muchin Class of 2019: $15K Class of 2013+: $100K |
December 21, 2020 | Yes | 2000 hours for base bonus; additional bonus monies for reaching 2100 (up to $6K more than base bonus, depending on class year) to 2500 (up to $30K more than base bonus, depending on class year); discretionary “superstar” bonuses offered on top of year-end and special bonuses | January 31, 2021 |
| Stroock Class of 2019: $15K Class of 2013+: $100K |
December 21, 2020 | No | 2000 hours for market bonus; the firm is reportedly offering “special COVID bonuses” for those who bill 2300+ hours (but they are the usual bonuses offered for high billers, not equivalent to the market special bonuses being offered in 2020) | January 15, 2021 |
| Cadwalader Class of 2020: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2013+: $100K |
January 6, 2021 | No | 1900 client hours; additional bonuses “equal to 120% of [market bonuses]” for high billers with 2200 client hours or more | Last week of February 2021 |
| Morrison & Foerster Class of 2020: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2013+: $100K |
January 12, 2021 | Yes (above market for Class of 2019) | MoFo is offering additional bonuses for high billers (2500-2699 hours = 30% of class year bonus; 2700-2899 hours = 40% of class year bonus; 2,900+ hours = 55% of class year bonus) | February 12, 2021 |
| Kasowitz Benson Class of 2020: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2012: $100K |
January 19, 2021 | Yes | None | February 15, 2021 |
| Goodwin Procter Class of 2019: $15K Class of 2013+: $100K |
January 22, 2021 | Yes (announced 11/24) | 1950 hours (associates with “materially higher than 1950 hours” who received a “distinctive” rating are eligible to receive bonuses that are above class amounts) | January 25, 2021 |
| WilmerHale Class of 2019: $15K Class of 2013+: $100K |
January 22, 2021 | Yes (1899 and below for $3.75K-$20K; 1900+ for market) | 2000-2199 hours for market bonus (1900-1999 for $5-10K; 2200+ for $20-105K; 2500-2699 for additional $10K; 2700-2899 for additional $20K; 2900+ for additional $30K) | Undisclosed |
| Latham Class of 2019: $15K base / $23.25K median Class of 2013+: $100K base / $152.5K median |
January 25, 2021 | Yes | 1900 hours | January 29, 2021 |
| DLA Piper Black-box bonuses |
January 27, 2021 | No | Based on seniority, Performance Rating (3, 4 or 5), and total bonus hours (including billable, billable equivalent, pro bono, shadowing, and knowledge management hours); incremental increases for bonus hours totaling 2150, 2300, and 2450 | January 29, 2021 |
| O’Melveny & Myers Class of 2019: $15K Class of 2013: $100K |
February 2, 2021 | 1900 hours | By end of February 2021 |
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Staci 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.