Associate Compensation Scorecard: Biglaw's 2023 Cash Bash

Since we broke the news of the new $225K salary scale for associates at large law firms in the United States — a trend that was started by Milbank on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, and finally one-upped three weeks later by Cravath on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, complete with higher salaries for midlevel and senior associates — firms are quickly falling in line to match the scale. In addition to these hefty new salaries, Biglaw firms are also rolling out their year-end bonuses. When will your firm announce its new salary and bonus scales for associates?

Today, for your viewing pleasure, we unveil a table of all of the firms that have already matched the new salary scale (or instituted raises, generally, because of the new salary scale) and bonus scale, the date those matches were made, the minimum hours required to receive bonuses (if available), and the date bonuses will be paid. We presume all raises are retroactive to January 1, 2024. We will be updating this table on a daily basis, sometimes multiple times, as news on raises and bonuses unfolds. If you see any information here that is incorrect or needs clarification, let us know.

We are covering this trend extensively, so please drop us a line — text (646-820-8477) or email (subject line: “[Firm Name] Matches”) — when you know of a firm making a compensation move. 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. Sources are kept confidential.

Don’t forget, if you’d like to sign up for ATL’s Bonus Alerts, please enter your email address in the box below. If you previously signed up for the bonus alerts, you don’t need to do anything. You’ll receive an email notification within minutes of each compensation announcement that we publish. Cheers to a happy bonus and raise season, everyone!

Firm	Salaries	Bonuses	Minimum Hours	Bonus Payout Date
Milbank FIRST MOVER November 7, 2023 December 5, 2023 (re-raise)	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K Class of 2016: $115K	None	December 31, 2023
Wilkinson Stekloff November 20, 2023	Undisclosed	Class of 2023: $26.25K Class of 2016+: $201.25K	None	December 15, 2023
Cravath NEW MARKET LEADER November 28, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2017: $420K	Class of 2023: $15K Class of 2017: $105K	None	December 15, 2023
McDermott November 28, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016+: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K Class of 2016+: $115K	2000 hours	Undisclosed
Paul Hastings November 28, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016+: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K Class of 2016+: $115K	2000 hours	February 9, 2024
Paul, Weiss November 29, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K Class of 2016: $115K Addt’l discretionary bonuses in 2024	None	Undisclosed
Baker McKenzie November 29, 2023	Class of 2024: $225K Class of 2016+: $435K	Class of 2022: $15K Class of 2016+: $115K	Undisclosed; Addt’l “premium” bonuses for those who “materially exceeded” billables	February 9, 2024
Proskauer November 29, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2015: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015: $115K	None	December 22, 2023
Dechert November 29, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016+: $435K	Class of 2022: $20K Class of 2016+: $115K	1950 hours (client billable, pro bono, firm as client, maximum of 50 community hours); associates who exceeded hours expectations eligible to receive an “extraordinary” bonus (i.e., 2200 hours = addt’l 30%; 2400+ hours = addt’l 40%)	Undisclosed
Hogan Lovells November 29, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016+: $435K	Class of 2022: $20K Class of 2016+: $115K	2000 hours (including up to 150 pro bono hours until associates meet 1850 hours, then unlimited pro bono hours, and including up to 50 D&I hours, if they have billed at least 1800 hours; additional bonuses available for those who exceed hours minimums)	Last pay period in 2023
Skadden November 29, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016+: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K Class of 2016+: $115K or $125K	1800 “productive hours” (including unlimited pro bono time and up to 150 hours of productive non-billable work)	Undisclosed
Cleary November 29, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016+: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2016+: $115K	None	December 22, 2023
Sidley November 30, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2015: $445K	Class of 2022: $20K Class of 2015+: $115K	2000 hours required for base bonuses; associates with “higher productivity and/or exceptional performance” will receive additional bonuses	Prior to December 31, 2023
Davis Polk November 30, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016+: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K Class of 2016+: $115K	None	Undisclosed
Fried Frank November 30, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016+: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2016+: $115K	1850-1999 hours for up to 25% of full bonus; 2000-2199 hours for full bonus; 2200-2449 hours for full bonus plus 15% premium; 2450+ hours for full bonus plus 30% premium; premiums range from $3,000 to $34,500	On or before December 31, 2023
Norton Rose Fulbright November 30, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016: $435K	TBA	Undisclosed	TBA
Mayer Brown November 30, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2016+: $115K	NY: 1900 client equivalent hours; Outside NY: 2000 hours for base bonus, stub years not included (1900 CE hours required); 2100 hours for $23K-$132.25K, 2200 hours for $24K-$138K, 2300 hours for $26K-$149.5K	February 16, 2024
Kirkland November 30, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2018: $390K	TBA	None	TBA
Willkie November 30, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2016: $115K	None	December 29, 2023
Holwell Shuster November 30, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2017: $420K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2017: $105K	None	On or before December 31, 2023
Akin Gump November 30, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016+: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2016+: $115K	1950 hours (including pro bono hours, general counsel hours, business development hours, and up to 100 hours of time spent on recruiting, diversity & inclusion, and/or innovation activities); associates with “exceptional” performance will receive larger bonuses	February 2024
O’Melveny November 30, 2023	1st Year Assocs: $225K 3rd Year Counsel: $435K	Class of 2022: $20K Class of 2016+: $115K	None	Undisclosed
Debevoise November 30, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016+: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2016+: $115K	None	Undisclosed
Vinson & Elkins November 30, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016+: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2016+: $115K	Based on hours and good standing; “supplemental bonuses” available for associates who had an “exceptional year”	January 31, 2024
Simpson Thacher November 30, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2016: $115K	None	December 29, 2023
Covington December 1, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016+: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2016+: $115K	Undisclosed	Undisclosed
Baker Botts December 1, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016+: $435K	Class of 2022: $20K Class of 2016+: $115K	Based on hours (“enhanced” bonuses available for “exceptional” performance)	Undisclosed
Yetter Coleman December 1, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2017+: $420K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2017+: $105K	1850 hours for partial bonus (including up to 100 pro bono hours); 2050 hours for full bonus (including up to 120 pro bono hours, up to 10 diversity & inclusion hours, and up to 10 professional development hours)	December 18, 2023
Gibson Dunn December 1, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016+: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2016+: $115K	Undisclosed	Undisclosed
Morgan Lewis December 1, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2016: $115K	1900+ hours (20 of which must be pro bono hours)	Undisclosed
Clifford Chance December 4, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016+: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2016+: $115K	None (based on overall performance, quality of work, contributions to firm, teamwork, and pro bono)	January 12, 2024
AZA December 4, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2020: $310K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2020: $57.5K	None (based on overall performance; elder class years also have the chance to receive salary and bonus matches, but they must be “strong performers”)	Undisclosed
Boies Schiller December 4, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016+: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2016+: $115K	For market bonuses: 2000-2349 hours for regular bonus; 2350-2599 hours for extraordinary bonus (last year was $30K (pro-rated)-$150K); 2600+ hours for extra-extraordinary bonus (last year was $40K (pro-rated)-$165K); formula bonuses up to $300K or more)	Week of December 4, 2023
Weil Gotshal December 4, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016+: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2016+: $115K	None	January 31, 2024
Fish & Richardson December 4, 2023	A1: $225K A7: $420K	Individualized	2100 hours (including up to 200 pro bono/DEI hours) or strongest reviews based on quality of work; above-market bonuses for “a number of associates”	Undisclosed
Ropes & Gray December 4, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2015+: $445K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015+: $130K	1900 creditable hours (increased bonuses for associates who annualized above hourly target)	December 22, 2023
White & Case December 4, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2016: $115K	Eligibility criteria detailed in separate memo	February 14, 2024
Winston & Strawn December 4, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016+: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2016+: $115K	2000 hours for market bonus (additional bonus money for associates who “substantially exceed” productivity goals)	January 31, 2024
DLA Piper December 5, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016+: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2016+: $115K	Based on seniority, performance rating (3, 4 or 5), and total bonus hours (2000 hours, 1850 of which must be client billable, with up to 150 approved non-billable hours, including pro bono, shadowing, and knowledge management hours); incremental increases for 2100+ hours	Undisclosed
Fenwick & West December 5, 2023	Tier 1/Level 1: $225K Tier 3: $420K+	Tier 1/Level 1: $15K Tier 3: $115K	1950 hours (“Triple R” rewards for associates who bill 2100+ hours, ranging from $3K to $12K; condominium program rewards for associates who made “extraordinary contributions” to the firm)	December 29, 2023
Cadwalader December 6, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2015: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015: $115K	Additional bonuses “equal to 120% of [market bonuses]” for high billers with 2200 hours or more	February 2024
Cahill December 6, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2015: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2015: $115K	Special bonuses ranging from $2.5K (class of 2022) to $40K (class of 2015)	Undisclosed
Massumi + Consoli LLP December 6, 2023	Class Year 1: $225K Class Year 6: $390K	TBA	1900 hours (associates participate in “phantom equity” program that adds more bonus cash to their compensation)	Undisclosed
Arnold & Porter December 7, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016+: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2016+: $115K	Based on hours (10% additional class-year bonus for 2400-2499 hours; 15% additional class-year bonus for 2500-2599 hours; 20% additional class-year bonus for 2600+ hours)	January 31, 2024
Sheppard Mullin December 7, 2023	A1: $225K C2: $435K	A1: $20K C2: $115K	2000 hours for base bonus (associates who record 1950 hours will receive a partial bonuse; associates who record 2200 and 2400 hours will receive 110% and 120% of the market bonus)	January 26, 2024
Herbert Smith Freehills December 8, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2016: $115K	Undisclosed	January 12, 2024
Shearman & Sterling December 8, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016+: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2016+: $115K	Undisclosed	January 31, 2024
Freshfields December 8, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016+: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2016+: $115K	None	December 29, 2023
Susman Godfrey December 11, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016+: $435K	Class of 2021: $150K Class of 2014: $350K (medians)	None (all employees will also receive special bonuses on top of their year-end bonuses)	Undisclosed
Pillsbury December 11, 2023	First-Years: $225K Counsel: $435K	First-Years: $15K (pro-rated) Counsel: $115K	Undisclosed (top performers at the firm could earn an additional super bonus ($50,000) on top of market bonuses)	Undisclosed
Ross Aronstam December 12, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016: $435K	Class of 2023: $15K (pro-rated) Class of 2016: $115K	None	December 15, 2023
Selendy Gay Elsberg December 12, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016+: $435K	Class of 2023: $17.25K Class of 2016+: $132.5K	None (some associates will receive even more bonus money based on “holistic assessment of performance, hours, and commitment to the firm”; some associates received bonuses more than 60% above market)	December 15, 2023
Hueston Hennigan December 12, 2023	Class of 2023: $225K Class of 2016+: $435K	All associates in good standing reportedly received above-market bonuses (with some topping $200K)	Based on class year, hours, and good standing	Undisclosed

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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 Twitter and Threads or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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