Litigation Powerhouse Hands Out Super 'Kool' Summer Bonuses To Associates
Everything is bigger in Texas, including the mid-year bonuses. Congrats!
Just one week ago, we predicted that associates would be in for a hot bonus summer, with firms following Hueston Hennigan’s lead. It seems that the stars have aligned, because another firm has announced bonuses.
The firm in question is keeping associates cool during a heat wave… or in this case, we suppose they’re keeping it “kool.”
Sources report that McKool Smith — the Texas-based complex trial firm that’s been handing out money to associates hand over fist for years — announced generous mid-year bonuses yesterday in a surprise move. “No one expected it,” a tipster said of the bonuses. “It’s a good day.”
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This is what the hours-based bonus scale looks like at the firm:
Note that McKool Smith is offering more money for a lower number of billable hours than Hueston Hennigan, plus the prospect of making up to $30,000 (the HH scale tops out at $25,000 for 2700 hours).
Associates at the firm will receive their mid-year bonuses on June 30, with the opportunity to true-up their money if they move into another hours-based bonus tier by year’s end.
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Congratulations to everyone at McKool Smith!
Which firm will be the next to hand out summer bonuses and turn this into a real trend? Stay tuned!
(Flip to the next page to see the memo.)
Remember everyone, we depend on your tips to stay on top of compensation updates, so when your firm announces or matches, please text us (646-820-8477) or email us (subject line: “[Firm Name] Bonus/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 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 X/Twitter and Threads or connect with her on LinkedIn.
