Top 3 Biglaw Firm Is Doling Out Tons Of Bonus Money To Associates

DLA PIPER — MEMO — BONUSES

DLA Piper is committed to providing compensation that rewards our lawyers’ commitment and contributions to exceptional client service. We are pleased to announce that the firm will be providing eligible associates market-level performance bonuses and special bonuses, as well as market base compensation in 2025.

Year-end performance bonuses

As in prior years, the firm’s determinations on associates’ bonus eligibility will be based on seniority, performance rating, productivity, compliance with firm policies, and good standing status. The details for bonus eligibility are detailed in the firm’s Associate Compensation and Bonus Policy (the Policy).

Associates who are in good standing and meeting the firm’s expectations, as detailed in the Policy, and who receive a minimum performance rating of three, will receive a market-level bonus, as shown below.

Firm Class Year	Base Market Bonus
2023	$20,000
2022	$30,000
2021	$57,500
2020	$75,000
2019	$90,000
2018	$105,000
2017 and Senior	$115,000

Enhanced year-end performance bonuses

The firm will pay enhanced year-end bonuses to bonus-eligible associates who have met the criteria set forth in the Policy and who have made even greater contributions to the firm’s success and provided exceptional client service.

Specifically, bonus-eligible associates with a performance rating of four or five will receive a bonus increase commensurate with their performance rating, and bonus-eligible associates who exceed the 2,000-hour expectation will receive bonus increases based on each 100 billable hour threshold they meet, up to 2,700 hours.

Special bonuses

The firm is pleased to announce the payment of a special bonus to associates who have met the firm’s criteria for a market bonus.

Firm Class Year	Additional Special Bonus
2023	$6,000
2022	$10,000
2021	$15,000
2020	$20,000
2019	$25,000
2018	$25,000
2017 and Senior	$25,000

Timing

Bonus-eligible associates who have met their production targets, based on time entered and finalized through December 16, will receive both the base market bonus and the additional special bonus noted above on December 27. Any incremental year-end bonus enhancements for higher performance ratings and production will be paid in the ordinary course on February 7, 2025.

Bonus-eligible associates who did not meet the minimum production target by December 16, but who meet that expectation by December 31, will receive the market bonus, any enhanced bonus, and the special bonus on February 7, 2025.

Associates must remain employed by the firm and in good standing on the date of the bonus payment to receive a bonus. Consistent with past practice, individual bonus amounts will be communicated in advance of the bonus payment date.

Terms applicable to all bonuses

Bonuses will be prorated for associates who worked a partial year or who took a leave of absence, and will be subject to applicable taxes and withholding.

Individual bonuses may be adjusted in the firm’s discretion.

2025 associate compensation

We are pleased to announce the following 2025 US associate base salary amounts:

Firm Class Year	Base Salary
2024	$225,000
2023	$235,000
2022	$260,000
2021	$310,000
2020	$365,000
2019	$390,000
2018	$420,000
2017 and senior	$435,000

Associates’ 2025 Firm Class Years will be determined and confirmed in early 2025, as associate Firm Class Years may be adjusted by the firm as set forth in the Policy. Written associate evaluation feedback will be communicated to associates on January 3, 2025. Compensation and bonuses for of counsel and professional track timekeepers will be determined on an individual basis.

Base salary adjustments, including increases and retroactive payments, will be reflected in the February 7 pay for US associates who are in good standing and who have met the firm’s performance standards.

On behalf of the entire firm, we thank each of you for your tremendous contributions in 2024. Your hard work and dedication have allowed our firm and our clients to achieve outstanding results.

Best wishes to you and your families for a safe and healthy holiday season.

Jackie Park

Co-US Managing Partner

Rick Chesley

Co-US Managing Partner

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