If Biglaw Firms Want To Remain 'Elite,' They Need To Match Milbank's Money Moves

They really have no choice in the matter.

Rich businessman with gold and money mountain on city backgroundThe elite firms match the market rate. It’s not even really a decision these firms can make. They just have to do it. If somebody falls behind, then all of a sudden, it is a differentiator.

— Bruce MacEwen of law firm consultancy Adam Smith Esq., commenting on the most recent round of raises that are slowly but surely spreading across the Biglaw landscape. Thus far, 16 law firms have matched Milbank’s new salary scale, and one has told associates it is “monitoring [salary] changes” but has not yet committed to matching.


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.


Bonus Time

Enter your email address to sign up for ATL's Bonus & Salary Increase Alerts.