Summary: Two more law firms have joined the salary increase trend with Blank Rome matching and Dovel & Luner exceeding the trend.
In with the new and out with the old – salaries that is. With the New Year fresh on our plates some law firms are taking the opportunity to give their associates a fresh salary. Blank Rome LLP and Dovel & Luner LLP have set the mark for the year 2017.
Blank Rome LLP is matching the standard set last year by Cravath Swaine & Moore. Their first-year associates will earn $180,000 per year. The new salary will be in their New York and Washington D.C. offices starting next month. First-year associates in the Philadelphia office will see their salary move up to $160,000.
Blank Rome has not revealed what, if any, changes will be made for those higher than first-year associates. With the raise came an increase from 1800 to 1900 in hourly minimums in order to be eligible for the bonus.
California litigation boutique Dovel & Luner LLP is upping the standard with a $200,000-a-year salary for their first-year associates. This law firm has posted on the website the pay scale, which is as follows:
First year – $200,000
Second year – $210,000
Third year – $230,000
Fourth year – $255,000
Fifth year – $280,000
Sixth year – $300,000
Dovel & Luner describes in depth what they expect from their associates in exchange for a top salary. Their bonuses have ranged from $50,000 to $700,000 in the past. Judicial clerkships are also awarded at the top of the market.
The boutique firm has a variety of other top benefits that will attract and retain the best talent. Some of these benefits include a “go green” incentive for walking, biking, or taking public transportation to work, a cell phone reimbursement, new computer every two years, and more.
Do you think more law firms will announce salary raises this year? Tell us in the comments below.
To learn more about the new salary and bonus trend started by Cravath, read these articles:
- “Cravath Effect” Takes Place with Several Firms Upping Salary Rates
- Law Firms Beating Cravath Associate Bonus Scale
- Law Firms Across the Globe Match Cravath Bonuses
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