Choo-Choo! Top 50 Firm Boards The Biglaw Bonus Train
All aboard, associates and counsel!
AKIN GUMP — MEMO — 2021 BONUSES
We are very pleased to announce that, in addition to the special bonuses we announced in March and paid in May and October, the firm will award year-end bonuses based on the scale indicated below. In addition, in recognition of your extraordinary efforts during this very challenging year, the firm will award an additional one-time special bonus to those in classes of 2020 and more senior based on the scale indicated below.
| Class Year | Year-End Bonus | One-Time Special Bonus |
| Class of 2021 | $15,000 (pro-rated) | n/a |
| Class of 2020 | $20,000 | $4,000 |
| Class of 2019 | $30,000 | $6,000 |
| Class of 2018 | $57,500 | $11,500 |
| Class of 2017 | $75,000 | $15,000 |
| Class of 2016 | $90,000 | $18,000 |
| Class of 2015 | $105,000 | $21,000 |
| Class of 2014 + | $115,000 | $23,000 |
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As in prior years, each individual bonus will be awarded based upon an assessment of each associate and counsel’s overall performance as determined in the evaluation process, including work quality, demonstration of progress through the core competencies, productivity, contribution to your practice group, firm citizenship and pro bono efforts. While there is no hard and fast productivity level for receiving a bonus, productivity at or above 1,950 hours, based upon the full range of criteria, is in line with our expectations. As we have done in prior years, we will consider pro bono hours, general counsel hours and business development hours in assessing productivity. In addition, up to 100 hours of time spent on recruiting, diversity & inclusion, and/or innovation activities will also be considered for productivity purposes.
This year, as in the past, the firm will award an additional bonus to those associates and counsel whose performance and productivity are deemed extraordinary.
Our 2022 base salary grid for associates and counsel will remain the same as in 2021, with class-year advancements in base salary. Salary adjustments and bonuses will be paid in February, with adjustments in your 2022 salary retroactive to January 1, 2022. Bonuses will be paid to those attorneys in good standing who are employed by the firm on the date of payment. Each associate and counsel will be notified of their bonus and 2022 salary prior to payment. We will hold a Town Hall meeting to share additional information early next year.
As this challenging year comes to a conclusion, we thank each of you for your hard work, dedication, and commitment to our firm, our clients, our communities and each other.
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Wishing you and your families a very happy and healthy holiday season.
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.
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