Morrison & Foerster's Bonuses Are Out! And It's Great News For Really Big Billers
Bonuses are always good news!
From: Nashelsky, Larren M.
Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2021 12:01 PM
Subject: 2020 Bonuses and 2021 Base Compensation (U.S. Practice Attorneys)
All,
Thank you for your hard work during the challenging year of 2020. Thanks to your contributions, MoFo had a successful year. Despite the disruption and uncertainty, you delivered for our clients and supported each other.
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I am pleased, therefore, to announce our 2020 bonus program and our 2021 base compensation structure. This year, in addition to our traditional annual bonuses and Client Service Awards, we will award a 2020 Special Bonus.
Special Bonus for 2020
I don’t know any group of lawyers who work more creatively or collaboratively than MoFo associates. In 2020, you served clients and communities, balancing the demands of remote work with often pressing family obligations. In so many ways, I believe that our associates lead the profession.
Our Special Bonus will lead the profession too. We will award Special Bonuses to bonus-eligible U.S. Practice associates, regardless of hours performance, in amounts meeting or exceeding those offered by peer firms, as set forth below:
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| Class Year | Bonus |
| 2019 | $10,000 |
| 2018 | $10,000 |
| 2017 | $20,000 |
| 2016 | $27,500 |
| 2015 | $32,500 |
| 2014 | $37,000 |
| 2013+ | $40,000 |
2020 Annual Bonuses
In addition, we will proceed with our traditional annual bonus program. Our 2020 annual bonus schedule for associates paid on the U.S. compensation scale is:
| Class Year | Bonus |
| Class of 2020 | $15,000 (prorated) |
| Class of 2019 | $15,000 |
| Class of 2018 | $25,000 |
| Class of 2017 | $50,000 |
| Class of 2016 | $65,000 |
| Class of 2015 | $80,000 |
| Class of 2014 | $90,000 |
| Class of 2013 (including prior years) | $100,000 |
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Going Above and Beyond
We will again show our support for those that were called upon to go above and beyond in serving clients through Client Service Awards. Client Service Awards are over-market bonuses for associates with Legal Service Hours of 2,500 and above, and are calculated as a percentage of your class year bonus. The award percentages are as follows:
| Legal Service Hours | Additional % of Class Year Bonus |
| 2,500-2,699 | 30% |
| 2,700-2,899 | 40% |
| 2,900+ | 55% |
Eligibility/Additional Information
To be eligible for any 2020 bonuses, associates must have performed at the expected level of their seniority and progressed with their class, and be employed in good standing and not on notice of termination when bonuses are paid. For the 2020 annual bonus, associates must also have met their annual minimum Legal Service Hours requirements.
All bonus payments will be made in a manner consistent with the firm’s policies described in the Compensation and Evaluations Brochure, including those describing proration of hours minimums and bonus amounts. As in past years, amounts paid may vary from the schedules above in certain instances based on individual performance and/or productivity, as well as consistent failure to comply with our timenotes submission policy. Thank you to all who complied with this policy as we have seen improvement in timely submission this year.
2020 bonuses for U.S. practice associates will be paid on February 12 (dates may vary outside the U.S.). Please note that individual memos will not be sent to associates paid in conformity with the aforementioned scales. We expect that U.S. Of Counsel bonuses will be paid in February, and amounts will be determined individually, based on eligibility.
If you have questions after receiving your bonus, please contact your Attorney Development Advisor in the Attorney Development Group.
2021 Associate Base Compensation
2021 associate base compensation for those on the U.S. compensation structure will be paid by salary class year, as shown below.
| 2021 Associate Base Compensation (U.S. Offices, U.S. Practice Attorneys) |
||
| 2021 Year/Seniority Level | 2021 Salary Class | Base Compensation |
| 1st | 2021/2020 | $190,000 |
| 2nd | 2019 | $200,000 |
| 3rd | 2018 | $220,000 |
| 4th | 2017 | $255,000 |
| 5th | 2016 | $280,000 |
| 6th | 2015 | $305,000 |
| 7th | 2014 | $325,000 |
| 8th+ | 2013 and earlier | $340,000 |
We are grateful for your hard work in this challenging year. Thank you, and I look forward to another productive and successful year in 2021.
Larren
LARREN M. NASHELSKY
Morrison & Foerster LLP
