Associate Compensation Scorecard: Biglaw's 2020 Bonus Bonanza

Is your firm listed here? If not, what are the partners waiting for?

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.

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.

Don’t forget, if you’d like to sign up for ATL’s Bonus Alerts, please enter your email address in the box below. If you previously signed up for the bonus alerts, you don’t need to do anything. You’ll receive an email notification within minutes of each bonus announcement that we publish. Cheers to a happy bonus season, everyone!

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
No Yes (announced 12/31/20) 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 No Yes 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 No Yes 1900 hours By end of February 2021

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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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