Biglaw

This Firm Shows Associates The Best Way To Kick Off A Holiday Weekend — With Raises!

Now that’s a creative way to help associates celebrate.

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It’s been about a month since the last time a law firm announced anything other than an office reopening plan or a vaccine mandate, but it looks like some firms are still interested in announcing big money moves. And what better time to let associates know that they’re about to get a huge cash influx than before a long holiday weekend?

On Friday, Morris Nichols Arsht & Tunnell, a Delaware firm rated as one of the best in the Mid-Atlantic region by Vault, announced that it would be increasing salaries for first-year attorneys, effective immediately. Entry-level associates at the firm will now be making $190,000, up $15,000 from the $175,000 they’d been making previously.

According to a press release, Morris Nichols is a firm that prides itself on its “deep pool of talented attorneys and holds great appreciation for their dedication,” so while nothing is specifically mentioned about salary increases for all other associates, we imagine they must be seeing commensurate raises as well.

So, why did the firm finally decide to raise salaries? Because like all other firms, Morris Nichols wants to take advantage of the hot lateral market. From the firm’s press release:

Hiring top associate candidates is a key component of the firm’s ongoing vitality and future success as a Delaware market leader. To continue to attract top attorneys, Morris Nichols will increase starting associate salaries….

Better late than never!

This first-year salary bump may not be match the Davis Polk money that’s become the prevailing rate in more major markets ($202.5K for the Class of 2021 and $205K for the Class of 2020, to be specific), but more money is more money, so congratulations to all associates at the firm.

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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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