Listen, I get it. The end of the year is a crappy time to be at work. The sun sets at 4:30, you’re expected to make nice at professional holiday functions, you’re stressed about hitting your billing target for the year, and the powers that be at your firm haven’t even disclosed the bonus scale. That blows.
Finding out how much you’ll be getting as a bonus for all your hard work this year is a bright spot of life in Biglaw — it makes you feel like all the billable hours were really worth it. So, with market bonuses topping out at the same levels as last year, why hasn’t your firm announced?
Sorry friend, I don’t have an easy answer to that question. I’m sure bonus announcements at most Biglaw firms are in the works, but as to exactly when they’ll be released… who knows?
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So what exactly can you do as you wile away the hours waiting for your money?
- Obsessively refresh this page for all the latest in this year’s bonus news.
- Take advantage of the fact Cyber Monday has morphed into Cyber Week and shop (online) till you drop.
- Catch up on your CLEs.
- Find out what your signature catchphrase should be.
- The trap music Christmas mix. You’re welcome.
- Debunk online conspiracy theories in the comments on right wing “news” sites.
- RSVP to the Above the Law holiday party.
And then, when you finally do get your bonus memo, be sure to share with the rest of us! Here at Above the Law we depend on YOU — our readers — to keep us (and by extension the rest of the legal world) informed about what is going on at your firm with bonuses. On the surface, it may seem the only motivation is a bit of financial-tinged gossip, but there is a value in transparency. This is why (most) firms publish the schedule of bonuses and salaries. And giving more information to the actors with the least power — in this case, the associates, particularly junior associates — lets them know the true value of the work they do, and helps them assess possible lateral moves.
So, do your part and let us know what’s going on with bonuses at your firm. You can submit a tip here, or just email us at [email protected] or send an SMS/text message to (646) 820-8477. As always, we’ll keep your name strictly confidential.
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Good luck waiting out bonus season — and billing enough hours in December to be sure you’re getting the full amount.
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, and host of The Jabot podcast. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).