PAUL WEISS — MEMO — SPECIAL BONUSES
Dear Counsel and Associates,
It has now been more than a year since the global pandemic caused us to leave our firm’s offices and begin remote work. During that time, while we have all worked nonstop, we have also dealt with an unprecedented health crisis and historic economic dislocation, a long overdue racial justice reckoning, and the most dysfunctional political cycle in our nation’s history. We very nearly saw a complete breakdown of our social, economic and political order and our core institutions of government. We have personally dealt with extreme grief, uncertainty, anxiety and a profound sense of helplessness. Many of us have grappled with the loss of loved ones and colleagues. Remote work, while liberating for some, also can be exhausting. Over time, waking up and going to sleep in your office can become old. So can the lack of boundaries in a world without diversions.
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And yet, in the face of these and countless other personal and professional challenges, our firm has continued to exceed all expectations, in both our client work and our pro bono efforts. Without missing a beat, we have advocated tirelessly for our clients, helping them successfully navigate both the challenges and the opportunities presented by these unprecedented times as well as leading our nation in the fight for social, racial, economic and political justice. We have all worked doubly hard throughout this period to maintain our sense of community and connection in a remote world. We did so by coming together and working on crucial communal causes – our coronavirus relief center and our firm-wide racial justice, social justice and voter-protection initiatives. Thanks to your efforts, we helped make the world more safe, more equitable and more just – and we still have lots more work to do.
On behalf of my partners, I could not be more proud of and grateful for your extraordinary talents, dedication and generosity.
In appreciation for your efforts, we are pleased to announce that you will be receiving a special 2021 bonus, as follows:
| Class Year | June Bonus | September Bonus | Total Bonus |
| 2020 | $4,500 | $7,500 | $12,000 |
| 2019 | $6,000 | $10,000 | $16,000 |
| 2018 | $12,000 | $20,000 | $32,000 |
| 2017 | $16,500 | $27,500 | $44,000 |
| 2016 | $19,500 | $32,500 | $52,000 |
| 2015 | $22,000 | $37,000 | $59,200 |
| 2014 and senior, including counsel | $24,000 | $40,000 | $64,000 |
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These bonuses will be paid in two installments, the first on June 30 and the second on September 30. Bonuses will be paid to those employed and in good standing on the dates the payments are made. We expect to pay regular year-end bonuses in December.
With gratitude and appreciation,
Brad
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.