Associate Salaries, Biglaw, Money

Nationwide Pay Raise Watch: A Biglaw Firm Moves To Market Across America

Does this mean anything for the broader Biglaw market? Only time will tell.

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Dollar growth chartIt was just yesterday that we launched our “NY to 190” series, providing arguments in support of a Biglaw pay hike. We noted that pay raises had been spreading to smaller legal markets around the country, and that considering we now live in an increasingly interconnected age, geography should be less relevant to compensation. We’re happy to report at least one firm took these arguments to heart.

People tell us that Hunton & Williams has moved to a national $160,000 salary scale for all U.S. associates. A spokesperson from Hunton has confirmed the firm’s pay raise across all offices. It may not be $190K, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction.

Here is what one of our tipsters tells us about Hunton’s bold move in terms of salary:

While this doesn’t impact associates in markets like DC and NY, whose starting salary was already $160k, for those in other markets, like Richmond (the firm’s biggest office), their starting salary moved from $145k to $160k. The rest of the pay scale has adjusted accordingly. People are very excited, and this move was fairly unexpected.

“Hunton has always been the market leader in places like Richmond, and this move continues that trend,” a source said. Hunton associates across America will be making New York money in places like Atlanta, Georgia, and Charlotte, North Carolina. The increase in purchasing power Hunton bestowed upon its associates is worthy of praise.

Congratulations, Hunton & Williams associates! You’ve earned it (literally).

With OCI season just around the corner, law students will certainly want to give Hunton & Williams a second look now that it’s brought market pay to all of its offices.

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Does this mean anything for the broader Biglaw market? Only time will tell.

Staci Zaretsky is an editor at Above the Law. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments. Follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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