Top 50 Biglaw Firm Awards Bonuses That Go Over The Top For Big Billers

Very happy news at this firm!

money Golden dollar sign light beam lens flare explosionSome Biglaw firms are really hitting it out of the park this week, and one of them is Sheppard Mullin. Hot on the heels of the firm’s announcement of its new “Unplug & Recharge” policy — a program that will make up to 40 hours of time spent relaxing both billable and bonus eligible — the firm has now announced its annual bonuses.

Associates are happy as can be with the Cravath/Davis Polk match. Here’s what the firm’s bonus package looks like:

Associate Year-End Bonus Scale

Level        1,900        1,950         2,000           2,200            2,400
A1      10,000      15,000       20,000         22,000          24,000
A2      15,000      22,500       30,000         33,000          36,000
A3      28,750      43,125       57,500         63,250          69,000
M1      37,500      56,250       75,000         82,500          90,000
M2      45,000      67,500       90,000         99,000       108,000
M3      52,500      78,750     105,000       115,500       126,000
C1      57,500      86,250     115,000       126,500       138,000
C2      57,500      86,250     115,000       126,500       138,000

Associate Special Bonus Scale

Level             1,900             1,950             2,000
A1             2,000             3,000             4,000
A2             3,000             4,500             6,000
A3             5,750             8,625           11,500
M1             7,500           11,250           15,000
M2             9,000           13,500           18,000
M3           10,500           15,750           21,000
C1           11,500           17,250           23,000
C2           11,500           17,250           23,000

As you can see, Shepard Mullin awards base year-end bonuses at the 2000-hour mark, and those who go over on their billing will be rewarded even more handsomely. Specifically, associates who record 2200 and 2400 hours (and meet an 1850 billable hour requirement) will receive 110% and 120% of the market based bonus. In addition, once an associate’s billable hours goal is met, unlimited pro bono hours and 75 hours of firm creditable time (including Diversity and Inclusion hours, Business Development and Training/Mentoring, etc.) will count towards the firm’s hours-based bonus program.

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“Between this and the unplugged policy,” said an excited associate, “it’s been a great week right before the holidays.” Associates will receive their bonus payouts in January.

Congratulations to Sheppard Mullin and its associates on a wonderful year!

*** Wondering if the grass is greener on the in-house side? Click here for a look inside the black box of corporate counsel pay in our 2021 In-House Compensation Report. ***

Remember everyone, we depend on your tips to stay on top of important bonus updates, so when your firm matches, please text us (646-820-8477) or email us (subject line: “[Firm Name] Matches”). Please include the memo if available. You can take a photo of the memo and send it via text or email if you don’t want to forward the original PDF or Word file.

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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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