Associate Compensation Scorecard: Biglaw's 2022 Bonus Bash
Is your firm listed here? If not, what are the partners waiting for?
Since we broke the news of the market bonus scale for associates at large law firms in the United States — a trend that was started by Baker McKenzie on Monday, November 21, 2022, and finally followed by Cravath on Monday, November 29, 2022 — firms are slowly falling in line to match the scale. When will your firm announce its bonuses?
As usual, we are compiling a table of all the firms that have already matched the new bonus scale, the minimum hours required to receive those bonuses (if available), and the date those bonuses will be paid. Today, we unveil that table for your viewing pleasure. We will update this table on a daily basis, sometimes multiple times, as firms announce bonus news. If you see any information here that is incorrect or needs clarification, tell us.
Help us help you now (and if/when you decide to make a lateral move in the future). Let us know what your firm’s minimum billable hours targets are for bonus eligibility and when your firm will pay those bonuses. You generally must remain at your firm until the payout date to receive them, as stated in most memos, which could make it all the more difficult for you to leave your job.
As a little reminder, we love covering the Biglaw bonus season, but we need your help. As soon as your firm’s bonus memo comes out, please email it to us (subject line: “[Firm Name] Bonus”). We always keep our sources on bonus stories anonymous. There’s no need to send the memo using your firm email account; your personal email account is fine. Please be sure to include the memo as proof; we like to post complete bonus memos as a service to our readers. You can take a photo of the memo and attach as a picture if you are worried about metadata.
Don’t forget, if you’d like to sign up for ATL’s Bonus Alerts, please enter your email address in the box below. If you previously signed up for the bonus alerts, you don’t need to do anything. You’ll receive an email notification within minutes of each bonus announcement that we publish. Cheers to a happy bonus season, everyone!
| Firm | Date Matched | Minimum Hours | Payout Date |
| Baker McKenzie Class of 2021: $20K Class of 2015+: $115K |
FIRST MOVER November 21, 2022 |
Undisclosed | February 10, 2023 |
| Boies Schiller Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015+: $115K |
November 29, 2022 | For market bonuses: 2000-2349 hours for regular bonus; 2350-2599 hours for extraordinary bonus ($30K (pro-rated)-$150K); 2600+ hours for extra-extraordinary bonus ($40K (pro-rated)-$165K)) | December 2022 |
| Cravath Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015: $105K |
November 29, 2022 | None | December 16, 2022 |
| McDermott Will & Emery Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015+: $115K |
November 30, 2022 | 2000 hours (“substantial incremental bonuses” for associates who went “above and beyond” in hours and performance; ~65% of associates will earn above Cravath scale) | December 29, 2022 |
| Holwell Shuster Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2016: $105K |
November 30, 2022 | None | On or before December 31, 2022 |
| Skadden Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2016: $105K or $115K Class of 2015+: $115K or $125K |
November 30, 2022 | 1800 “productive hours” (including unlimited pro bono time and up to 150 hours of productive non-billable work) | December 16, 2022 |
| Fried Frank Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 1, 2022 | 1850-1999 hours for up to 25% of full bonus; 2000-2199 hours for full bonus; 2200-2449 hours for full bonus plus 15% premium; 2450+ hours for full bonus plus 30% premium | On or before December 31, 2022 |
| Cleary Gottlieb Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 1, 2022 | None | December 23, 2022 |
| Davis Polk Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 2, 2022 | None | December 30, 2022 |
| Paul Weiss Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 2, 2022 | None | December 22, 2022 |
| Debevoise Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 2, 2022 | None | Undisclosed |
| Baker Botts Class of 2021: $20K Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 2, 2022 | None | December 31, 2022 |
| Paul Hastings Class of 2021: $20K Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 2, 2022 | 2000 hours | February 3, 2023 |
| Hogan Lovells Class of 2021: $20K Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 2, 2022 | 2000 hours (including up to 150 pro bono hours until associates meet 1850 hours, then unlimited pro bono hours, and including up to 50 D&I hours, if they have billed at least 1800 hours; additional bonuses available for those who exceed hours minimums) | December 30, 2022 |
| Milbank Class of 2022: $15K Class of 2014: $115K |
December 2, 2022 | None | December 31, 2022 |
| Freshfields Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015: $115K |
December 2, 2022 | None | December 15, 2022 |
| Ropes & Gray Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015: $115K Class of 2014+: $130K |
December 2, 2022 | 1900 creditable hours (increased bonuses for associates who annualized above hourly target) | December 23, 2022 |
| Willkie Farr Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 2, 2022 | None | December 30, 2022 |
| O’Melveny Class of 2021: $20K Class of 2015: $115K |
December 2, 2022 | None | February 28, 2023 |
| Morgan Lewis Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2016: $105K |
December 2, 2022 | 1900+ hours (20 of which must be pro bono hours) | January 31, 2023 |
| Wilkinson Stekloff Class of 2022: $22.5K Class of 2015+: $172.5K |
December 5, 2022 | None | December 15, 2022 |
| Vinson & Elkins Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 5, 2022 | Based on hours and good standing; “supplemental bonuses” available for associates who had an “exceptional year” | January 31, 2023 |
| Cadwalader Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015: $115K |
December 5, 2022 | Additional bonuses “equal to 120% of [market bonuses]” for high billers with 2200 hours or more | February 2023 |
| Schulte Roth & Zabel Class of 2022: $15K Class of 2013: $115K |
December 5, 2022 | 2000 hours; below 1600 hours, associates receive $5K bonus; at 1600 hours, associates receive 50% of bonus; step-up bonuses from $2.5K to $15K for reaching 2300 hours, 2500 hours, and 2700 hours | January 23, 2023 |
| Glenn Agre Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 5, 2022 | None (associates eligible for “premium” bonuses based on “extraordinary dedication and/or performance) | December 16, 2022 |
| Simpson Thacher Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015: $115K |
December 5, 2022 | None | December 28, 2022 |
| Clifford Chance Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 6, 2022 | None (based on overall performance, quality of work, contributions to firm, teamwork, and pro bono) | January 13, 2023 |
| Dechert Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 6, 2022 | 1950 hours (client billable, pro bono, firm as client, maximum of 50 community hours); associates who exceeded hours expectations eligible to receive an “extraordinary” bonus | January 23, 2023 |
| Sheppard Mullin A1: $20K C2: $115K |
December 6, 2022 | 2000 hours for base bonus (associates who record 1900 and 1950 hours will receive partial bonuses; associates who record 2200 and 2400 hours will receive 110% and 120% of the market bonus) | January 20, 2023 |
| Akin Gump Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 6, 2022 | 1950 hours (including with pro bono hours, general counsel hours, business development hours, and up to 100 hours of time spent on recruiting, diversity & inclusion, and/or innovation activities); associates with “exceptional” performance will receive larger bonuses | February 2023 |
| Kramer Levin Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015+: $115K Counsel: Up to $120K |
December 7, 2022 | Eligible associates in good standing will receive bonuses | February 15, 2023 |
| Weil Gotshal Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015+ and 3-year Counsel: $115K |
December 7, 2022 | None | January 31, 2023 |
| Mayer Brown Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 7, 2022 | NY: 1900 client equivalent hours; Outside NY: 2000 hours for base bonus, stub years not included (1900 CE hours required), 2100 hours for $23K-$132K, 2200 hours for $24K-$138K, 2300 hours for $$26K-$149.5K | February 17, 2023 |
| Linklaters Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 7, 2022 | None | December 30, 2022 |
| Allen & Overy Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 8, 2022 | None | January 16, 2023 |
| Ross Aronstam Class of 2019: $57.5K Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 8, 2022 | None | December 15, 2022 |
| Sidley Class of 2021: $20K Class of 2014+: $115K |
December 8, 2022 | 2000 hours required for base bonuses; associates with “higher productivity and/or exceptional performance” will receive additional bonuses | Prior to December 31, 2022 |
| Cohen Ziffer Class of 2021: $20K Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 8, 2022 | None (potential for larger associate bonuses based on “extraordinary performance or commitment”) | December 16, 2022 |
| Proskauer Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2014: $115K |
December 8, 2022 | None | December 23, 2022 |
| White & Case Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2014: $115K |
December 9, 2022 | Eligibility criteria detailed in separate memo | February 13, 2023 |
| McKool Smith Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 9, 2022 | Undisclosed; associates who bill more than 2200 hours will receive additional bonuses, up to $170K | December 20, 2022 |
| Bursor & Fisher Not lockstep; above Cravath scale at every level; top bonus of $575K |
December 9, 2022 | None (based on criteria like business origination and revenue) | December 11, 2022 |
| Elias Law Group Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 10, 2022 | None (based on performance, billable hours, and firm citizenship); attorneys “exceeding expectations” may receive additional bonus money, while attorneys with work “falling below expectations” may receive bonuses below the baseline | December 2022 |
| Winston & Strawn Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 12, 2022 | 2000 hours for market bonus (additional $2K-$25K for every hundred hours over 2000 for Class of 2018-2021; additional $4K-$30K for every hundred hours over 2000 for Class of 2017+) | January 31, 2023 |
| Susman Godfrey Class of 2020: $85K Class of 2014: $160K (medians) |
December 13, 2022 | None | Undisclosed |
| Hueston Hennigan All associates in good standing reportedly received above-market bonuses (many at least $10K above market for their class year) |
December 13, 2022 | Based on class year, hours, and good standing | Undisclosed |
| Perkins Coie Class of 2021: $20K Class of 2014+: $115K |
December 13, 2022 | 1950 hours; bonuses are majority lockstep, with some individualized (using this scale as a base); bonuses are different in non-major markets; some offices have high/low ranges for sixth-years and above | December 31, 2022 |
| Covington Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 14, 2022 | Based on hours (bonus scale increased by 10% for 2200+ hours, increased by another 10% for 2400+ hours) | January 2023 |
| Reid Collins & Tsai Jr. Assoc.: $125K avg bonus Sr. Assoc.: $150K avg bonus |
December 14, 2022 | Based on work product and results generated | Several times annually |
| Selendy Gay Elsberg Class of 2022: $16.5K Class of 2015+: $126.5K |
December 14, 2022 | None (some associates will receive even more bonus money “based on a holistic assessment of performance”) | December 23, 2022 |
| Fenwick Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Tier 1/Level 1: $20K Tier 3: $115K |
December 15, 2022 | 1950 hours (“Triple R” rewards for associates who bill 2100+ hours, ranging from $3K to $12K; condominium program rewards for associates who made “extraordinary contributions” to the firm) | December 30, 2022 |
| Katten Muchin Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2021: $20K Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 16, 2022 | 2000 hours (2100 hours for $22K-$126.5K; 2200 hours for $24K-$138K; 2300 hours for $26.5K-$149.5K; 2400 hours for $31K-$172.5K); additional “superstar” bonuses available | February 1, 2023 |
| DLA Piper Class of 2021: $20K Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 16, 2022 | Based on seniority, performance rating (3, 4 or 5), and total bonus hours (including billable, billable equivalent, pro bono, shadowing, and knowledge management hours); incremental increases for higher bonus hours | 50% bonus on December 30, 2022, 50% bonus on January 27, 2023 |
| Gjerset & Lorenz Class of 2022: $20K Class of 2015+: $130K |
December 16, 2022 | 2000 hours (2100 hours for $27.5K-$150K; 2200 hours for $35K-$165K) | December 31, 2022 |
| Kellogg Hansen Class of 2020: $57.5K median/$75K high Class of 2015+: $250K median/$450K high |
December 16, 2022 | Undisclosed | Undisclosed |
| Kaplan Hecker Class of 2022: $15K Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 16, 2022 | None (associates also received mid-year bonuses ranging from $5K-$15K) | December 2022 |
| Massumi + Consoli Class of 2022: $2.5K Class of 2016: $105K |
December 16, 2022 | 1900 hours (associates participate in “phantom equity” program that adds more bonus cash to their compensation) | December 2022 |
| Orrick Assoc Year 1 (Fall ’22): $2.5K Assoc Year 1: $20K Senior Assoc Year 1+/Of Counsel: $115K |
December 16, 2022 | 1950 hours (including up to 100 hours of a combination of training, DEI, business development, innovation, and other forms of firm and self-investment; pro bono hours; up to 40 hours of time devoted to unplugging) | Undisclosed |
| Shearman & Sterling Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 16, 2022 | None (BUT as of year-end, the firm has reportedly been enforcing a 2023 hours requirement to deny 2022 bonuses to associates, by (1) using a 10-month look back period (1/1-10/31); (2) applying a prorated utilization of 2050 hours; and (3) counting only billable and pro bono hours as follows: 110%+ utilization = market bonus; 100-109% utilization = 90% of market bonus; 90-99% utilization = 75% of market bonus; 0-89% utilization = 0% of market bonus) | December 30, 2022 |
| Arnold & Porter Class of 2022: $15K Class of 2015+: $115K |
December 19, 2022 | Based on hours (10% additional bonus for 2400-2499 hours; 15% additional bonus for 2500-2599 hours; 20% additional bonus for 2600+ hours) | January 31, 2023 |
| Kirkland & Ellis Individualized, above-market bonuses (but less so than usual) |
December 20, 2022 | None | Undisclosed |
| Irell & Manella Class of 2022: $39K (pro-rated) Class of 2015: $168K |
December 20, 2022 | None (bonuses inclusive of spring plus year-end 2022, and they average more than 2x total “market” bonuses) | December 27 2022 |
| Cozen O’Connor Class of 2022: $5K (pro-rated) Class of 2016+: $10K |
December 23, 2022 | Special bonuses (pro-rated based on hours billed/time when assocs joined the firm) | December 30, 2022 |
| Foley Hoag Class of 2022: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015+: $115K Counsel: $125K |
December 27, 2022 | 1850 hours (full bonus; full bonus for Class of 2021 regardless of hours); 1700 to 1849.9 hours (70% bonus); 1700 hours and lower (discretionary) | December 31, 2022 |
| Wilson Sonsini Class of 2021: $20K Class of 2014+: $115K |
January 12, 2023 | 1950 hours (first 40 hours of vacation time included as billable time) | January 31, 2023 |
| Latham 1st Year: $20K (base); $20.25K (median) 7th+ Year: $115K (base) $127K (median) Individualized, above-market bonuses |
January 20, 2023 | 1900 hours (additional bonus money for those who bill higher hours) | January 31, 2023 |
| Goodwin Procter Class of 2021: $20K Class of 2015+: $115K |
January 25, 2023 | 1950 hours (additional bonus money for those who billed “materially higher” hours) | January 2023 |
| Alston & Bird Class of 2022: $15K Class of 2021: $20K Class of 2015+: $115K |
January 26, 2023 | 2000 hours (10% additional bonus money for 2200+ hours; 20% additional bonus money for 2400+ hours) | End of March 2023 |
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.
