Small Firm, Big Bonuses: Boutique Firm Offers Biglaw-Style Bonuses To Associates

These bonuses will hit bank accounts today. Congrats!

MoneyBoutique firms are still offering Biglaw money to their associates this bonus season, with many continuing to match Milbank’s generous year-end and special bonuses.

The latest boutique to share its largesse with associates is Cohen Ziffer Frenchman & McKenna. Here’s what the bonus scale looks like at the young firm, which is about to close out its fourth year:

  • Class of 2023 – $20,000
  • Class of 2022 – $30,000
  • Class of 2021 – $57,500
  • Class of 2020 – $75,000
  • Class of 2019 – $90,000
  • Class of 2018 – $105,000
  • Class of 2017+ – $115,000

While special bonuses are not specifically mentioned, the firm goes on to note in its memo that “in exceptional circumstances,” associates may receive higher bonuses “based on individual performance.”

Bonuses at the firm will hit bank accounts today, on December 13. Congratulations to all Cohen Ziffer associates!

(Flip to the next page to see the firm’s memo in full.)

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 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 BlueskyX/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.


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