D.C.-based litigation boutique Wilkinson Stekloff announced on Friday that associates are getting special bonuses! And not some delightful, but relatively small, special bonus of $5K — these babies *start* at $25,000 and top out at $60,000 for the most senior associates. But maybe these aren’t much of a shock — the firm has proven in the past it has what it takes to beat Biglaw compensation.
The message from founding partner Brian Stekloff (available in full below) thanks associates for their hard work so far this year, and includes this line, “We are also grateful that many of us are working on essential matters to fight government overreach and defend the rule of law.” Which we simple must read as shady AF towards the Biglaw firms that have bent a knee to the Trump administration.
The special bonus scale at the firm is as follows:
| Class Year | Bonus ($) |
| 2024 | 25,000 |
| 2023 | 30,000 |
| 2022 | 35,000 |
| 2021 | 40,000 |
| 2020 | 45,000 |
| 2019 | 50,000 |
| 2018 | 55,000 |
| 2017 | 60,000 |
Bonuses will be paid on June 1, and counsel bonuses will be individualized.
This is normally the time that Above the Law would wonder if Biglaw firms will step up to match the boutique. But… Biglaw leaders seem pretty occupied at the moment. My guess (though I’d love to be wrong) is Biglaw will ignore this compensation move.
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Read the full announcement:
From: Brian Stekloff
Sent: Friday, April 11, 2025 1:40 PM
To: #Everyone
Subject: Special Bonus Announcement
Dear all,
As Beth and I have said to all of you, when we started the firm, we wanted to build something that embodied a culture of camaraderie and teamwork. Over the past few months, we have demonstrated that culture in unprecedented ways. Through it all, we have maintained the highest level of work and have continued to provide our clients with the first-class representations they both demand and deserve.
As you all know, this has been and continues to be a particularly busy stretch in which we are preparing for multiple upcoming trials that will take place over the summer and early fall—with even more scheduled to follow. We are also grateful that many of us are working on essential matters to fight government overreach and defend the rule of law. Simply put, we are incredibly grateful for the hard work and dedication that each of you has demonstrated to start 2025.
In recognition of the excellence being demonstrated by each of you, we are announcing special bonuses—separate and apart from end-of-year bonuses—that will be paid on June 1, 2025. For non-attorneys, the bonus will be $7500. For associates, the bonuses will be as follows:
| Class Year | Bonus ($) |
| 2024 | 25,000 |
| 2023 | 30,000 |
| 2022 | 35,000 |
| 2021 | 40,000 |
| 2020 | 45,000 |
| 2019 | 50,000 |
| 2018 | 55,000 |
| 2017 | 60,000 |
Counsel bonuses will be announced individually.
We want to thank you again for all that you have done this year and will continue to do as we head into this stretch of trials. It’s been overwhelming to see everyone come together to support one another during this busy time. We look forward to many continued successes and celebrations in our matters and are proud to have such wonderful and committed colleagues.
Best, The Partners
| Brian Stekloff | Founding PartnerWILKINSON STEKLOFF LLP2001 M Street NW, 10th Flr, Washington, DC 20036Direct: (202) 847-4030 | Fax: (202) 847-4005[email protected]wilkinsonstekloff.com |