Associate Compensation Scorecard: Biglaw’s 2021 Bonus Blowout – Above the Law

Firm
Date
Matched
Minimum
Hours
Payout
Date
Cravath
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K FIRST
MOVER
November
22,
2021

December
7,
2021
(special
bonuses) None December
17,
2021
Crowell
&
Moring
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014:
$100K November
2021 Undisclosed Undisclosed
Cleary
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K November
23,
2021

December
7,
2021
(special
bonus) None December
22,
2021
Boies
Schiller
Market
Bonuses
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K
Traditional
Bonuses
Rev
share
+
unique
monetary
formula November
23,
2021 For
market
bonuses:
2000-2349
hours
for
regular
bonuses;
2350-2599
hours
for
extraordinary
bonuses
($20K-$140K);
2600+
hours
for
extra-extraordinary
bonuses
($30K-$150K) December
2021
Cadwalder
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K
(includes
counsel) November
23,
2021

December
14,
2021
(special
bonuses) Additional
bonuses
“equal
to
120%
of
[market
bonuses]”
for
high
billers
with
2200
hours
or
more February
2022
Fried
Frank
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K November
23,
2021

December
7,
2021
(special
bonus) 2000
hours
to
receive
full
bonus
(comprised
of
billable
hours,
firm
matter
hours,
pro
bono
hours
(including
20
mandatory),
and
qualifying
non-billable
hours);
premium
bonuses
ranging
from

$2,250
to
$30K

$3K
to
$34.5K
above
class-year
levels
for
eligible
associates December
31,
2021
DLA
Piper
Class
of
2020:
$20K
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
1,
2021

December
14,
2021
(special
bonuses) Based
on
seniority,
performance
rating
(3,
4
or
5),
and
total
bonus
hours
(including
billable,
billable
equivalent,
pro
bono,
shadowing,
and
knowledge
management
hours);
incremental
increases
for
higher
bonus
hours;
bonuses
for
“highest-rated
and
most
productive
associates
of
up
to
50
percent
or
more
overmarket” January
28,
2022;
those
who
meet
production
hours
by
December
17
eligible
for
50%
of
base
market
bonus
payout
on
December
30,
2021
Cohen
Ziffer
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K December
1,
2021 None
(potential
for
larger
associate
bonuses
based
on
“extraordinary
performance
or
commitment”) December
17,
2021
Glenn
Agre
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
2,
2021

December
20,
2021
(special
bonuses) None
(associates
eligible
for
“premium”
bonuses
based
on
“extraordinary
dedication
and/or
performance”) December
17,
2021
Holwell
Shuster
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K December
2,
2021 None On
or
before
December
31,
2021
Mayer
Brown
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
2,
2021

December
15,
2021 2000
hours
(1900
billable,
100
non-billable) February
2022
Hogan
Lovells
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
2,
2021

December
10,
2021
(special
bonus) 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;
bonuses
“may
be
adjusted
upward”
based
on
“outstanding
contributions
significantly
in
excess
of
expectations”) December
31,
2021
Baker
McKenzie
Firm
has
committed
to
“match
the
prevailing
scale”
in
its
U.S.
offices
Class
of
2020:
$20K
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
3,
2021

December
10,
2021
(formal
announcement) 25%
bonus
premium
at
2300+
hours,
ranging
from
$5K
to
$28.75K
for
year-end
bonuses
and
$1K
to
$5.75K
for
special
bonuses February
11,
2022
Morrison
&
Foerster
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K December
3,
2021 Based
on
billable
hours
(client
service
award
bonuses
for
2500+
hours;
awards
ranging
from
30-55%
of
class-year
bonuses) Undisclosed
Davis
Polk
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K FIRST
MOVER
ON
SPECIAL
BONUS
December
6,
2021 None December
30,
2021
Paul
Weiss
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
6,
2021 None December
20,
2021
Paul
Hastings
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
6,
2021 2000
hours February
4,
2022
Debevoise
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
6,
2021 None December
2021
Willkie
Farr
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
6,
2021 None December
30,
2021
Milbank
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2013:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2013:
$23K December
6,
2021 None December
31,
2021
Skadden
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2015:
$105K
or
$115K
Class
of
2014+:
$115K
or
$125K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
7,
2021 None December
17,
2021
Simpson
Thacher
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2013:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2013:
$23K December
7,
2021 None December
30,
2021
Katten
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
7,
2021

December
14,
2021
(special
bonuses) 2000
hours
(bigger
bonuses
for
every
100
hours
over
base
requirement,
up
to
$31K-$172.5K
for
2400
hours) Undisclosed
Hueston
Hennigan
All
associates
in
good
standing
reportedly
received
bonuses
on
an
“enhanced
DPW
scale” December
7,
2021 Based
on
class
year,
hours,
and
good
standing
(those
who
took
cases
to
trial
in
2021
received
additional
bumps) Undisclosed
Proskauer
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2013:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2013:
$23K December
7,
2021 None December
30,
2021
Shearman
&
Sterling
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2013:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2013:
$23K
(includes
counsel) December
7,
2021 Bonus
amounts
at
the
firm
are
discretionary
and
based
on
performance December
22,
2021
Linklaters
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
7,
2021 None December
30,
2021
Norton
Rose
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
8,
2021 Undisclosed
(bonus
scale
only
applies
for
California,
New
York,
Texas,
and
Washington,
D.C.
offices;
Denver,
St.
Louis,
and
Minneapolis
will
be
on
a
“regional”
scale) January
31,
2022
Gibson
Dunn
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
8,
2021 Special
bonus
awarded
to
those
who
have
met
the
firm’s
productivity
targets Undisclosed
O’Melveny
&
Myers
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
8,
2021 None February
2022
Duval
&
Stachenfeld
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
8,
2021 Undisclosed Undisclosed
Schulte
Roth
&
Zabel
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2012:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2012:
$23K December
8,
2021 2000
hours
(below
1600
hours,
associates
receive
$5K
bonus;
at
1600
hours,
associates
receive
50%
of
bonus/special
bonus;
step
up
bonuses
from
$2.5K
to
$15K
for
reaching
2300
hours,
2500
hours,
and
2700
hours) January
24,
2022
Clifford
Chance
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2012:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2012:
$23K December
8,
2021 None
(based
on
overall
performance,
quality
of
work,
contributions
to
firm,
teamwork,
and
pro
bono) January
14,
2022
Freshfields
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
8,
2021 None
(based
on
overall
performance,
quality
of
work,
contributions
to
firm,
teamwork,
and
pro
bono) December
15,
2021
Wilkinson
Stekloff
Class
of
2021:
$30K
Class
of
2014+:
$230K December
8,
2021 None December
15,
2021
Dechert
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2012:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2012:
$23K December
9,
2021 1950
hours
(those
who
hit
2200
billable
hours
will
receive
an
extra
30%
above
year-end
bonuses;
associates
with
2400
billable
hours
will
get
an
extra
40%
above
year-end
bonuses) Undisclosed
Weil
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+
and
3-year
counsel:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
9,
2021 None January
31,
2022
Ropes
&
Gray
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2013+:
$130K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2013+:
$23K December
9,
2021 Increased
bonuses
for
associates
who
annualized
above
hourly
target December
23,
2021
Kaplan
Hecker
&
Fink
Class
of
2021:
$25K
Class
of
2014+:
$150K December
9,
2021 None December
2021
Sullivan
&
Cromwell
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
9,
2021 None December
20,
2021
Allen
&
Overy
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2013:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2013:
$23K December
10,
2021 None January
15,
2022
Akin
Gump
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
10,
2021 1950
hours
(including
with
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) February
2022
Kramer
Levin
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K
(includes
counsel) December
10,
2021 Eligible
associates
in
good
standing
will
receive
bonuses February
15,
2022
White
&
Case
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2013:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2013:
$23K
(includes
counsel) December
10,
2021 Eligibility
criteria
detailed
in
separate
memo February
14,
2022
Goodwin
Procter
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
10,
2021 Those
with
1950+
hours
and
a
“distinctive”
rating
may
be
rewarded
with
“a
maximum
of
175%”
of
the
bonus
scale January
2022
Sidley
Class
of
2020:
$20K
Class
of
2013+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2013+:
$23K December
13,
2021 2000
hours
required
for
base
bonuses;
associates
with
“higher
productivity
and/or
exceptional
performance”
will
receive
additional
bonuses Prior
to
December
31,
2021
Selendy
&
Gay
Class
of
2021:
$15.75K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$121.9K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
14,
2021 None
(some
midlevel
and
senior
associates
will
receive
even
more
bonus
money
“based
on
a
holistic
assessment
of
performance”) Undisclosed
Wilson
Sonsini
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
14,
2021 1950
hours January
31,
2022
WilmerHale
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
14,
2021 2000
hours January
2022
Perkins
Coie
Class
of
2020:
$20K
Class
of
2013+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2013+:
$23K December
14,
2021 1950
hours;
bonuses
are
majority
lockstep,
with
some
individualized
(using
this
scale
as
a
base);
bonuses
are
different
in
non-major
markets
(Denver
and
Seattle/Bellevue)
with
high/low
ranges
for
sixth-years
and
above Undisclosed
Pillsbury
Class
of
2020:
$20K
Class
of
2014:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014:
$23K
(includes
counsel/special
counsel) December
14,
2021 Attorneys
who
have
met
“minimum
hours
thresholds”
eligible
for
bonuses;
attorneys
can
earn
up
to
an
additional
$50K
as
part
of
the
firm’s
“super
bonus”
program Undisclosed
Orrick
Year
1
–
Fall
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Senior
Associate
Year
2+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Year
1:
$4K
Senior
Associate
Year
2+:
$23K
(includes
counsel) December
14,
2021 1950
hours
(including
up
to
100
hours
of
a
combination
of
training,
DEI,
business
development,
innovation,
and
other
forms
of
firm
and
self-investment;
pro
bono
hours;
up
to
40
hours
of
time
devoted
to
unplugging) Undisclosed
Susman
Godfrey
Class
of
2019:
$105K
Class
of
2013:
$215K
(medians) December
15,
2021 None Undisclosed
Ross
Aronstam
Class
of
2019:
$30K
Class
of
2015:
$105K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2019:
$6K
Class
of
2015:
$21K December
15,
2021 None December
2021
Covington
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
15,
2021 Based
on
hours
for
both
year-end
and
special
bonuses Undisclosed
Cahill
Class
of
2021:
$5K
Class
of
2013:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2021:
$2.5K
Class
of
2013:
$60K December
15,
2021 None On
or
before
December
31,
2021
Arnold
&
Porter
Kaye
Scholer
Class
of
2021:
$15K
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
15,
2021 Supplemental
year-end
bonuses
(20%
of
regular
year-end
bonus)
available
for
those
who
billed
2600
hours
(2400
of
which
must
be
billable) January
31,
2022
Sheppard
Mullin
A1:
$20K
C2:
$115K

Special
Bonus
A1:
$4K
C2:
$23K December
16,
2021 1850
hours
target;
2000
hours
for
base
bonus
(associates
who
record
2200
and
2400
hours
will
receive
110%
and
120%
of
the
market
bonus) January
2022
Winston
&
Strawn
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014:
$115K
Class
of
2013+:
Case
by
case

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014:
$23K
Class
of
2013+:
Case
by
case December
16,
2021 2000
hours
for
market
bonus
(additional
$2K-$25K
for
every
hundred
hours
over
2000
for
Class
of
2017-2020;
additional
$4K-$30K
for
every
hundred
hours
over
2000
for
Class
of
2016+);
no
hours
required
for
special
bonus January
2022
Fenwick
Class
of
2021:
$15K
Tier
3:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Tier
1/Level
1:
$4K
Tier
3:
$23K December
17,
2021 1950
hours
(“Triple
R”
rewards
for
associates
who
bill
2300+
hours,
ranging
from
$10K
to
$30K) December
31,
2021
Kirkland
&
Ellis
Individualized,
above-market
bonuses
(but
less
so
than
usual) December
17,
2021 None Undisclosed
Irell
&
Manella
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014:
$23K December
17,
2021 None
(bonuses
also
included
a
“good
year”
bonus,
ranging
from
$15K
to
$30K,
depending
on
class
year) December
23,
2021
McKool
Smith
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K December
20,
2021 Undisclosed Undisclosed
Kellogg
Hansen
Most
junior
classes:
“far
above
market”
Avg
bonus
for
senior
classes:
~$300K
Top
bonus:
$400K December
20,
2021 Undisclosed Undisclosed
Locke
Lord
Class
of
2020:
$20K
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2013:
$23K December
20-23,
2021 Undisclosed
(Bonuses
included
regular
bonuses,
fall
bonuses,
and
COVID
bonuses) Undisclosed
Quinn
Emanuel
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2013:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2013:
$23K December
21,
2021 2000-2099
hours
for
bonuses
ranging
from
~$13K-~$76K
(QE
will
round
up
to
market
if
associates
just
missed
the
2100
cutoff);
2100-2399
hours
for
market
bonuses;
2400-2699
hours
for
bonuses
ranging
from
$24K-$138K;
2700+
hours
for
bonuses
ranging
from
$27K-~$155K Undisclosed
Vinson
&
Elkins
Class
of
2021:
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2013:
$23K December
21,
2021 Based
on
hours
and
good
standing January
31,
2022
McDermott
Will
&
Emery
Individualized,
but
“above
the
Cravath
scale”

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2013:
$23K December
21,
2021 2000
hours
(for
associates
with
2000+
hours,
bonuses
on
average
are
$40K
more
than
“top”
of
market
firms;
associates
in
upper
quartile
for
billables
earning,
on
average,
$85K
more
than
market) Undisclosed
Alston
&
Bird
Class
of
2021:
$15K
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2013:
$23K December
22,
2021 2000
hours
(including
up
to
150
approved
legal
pro
bono
hours) March
2022
Haynes
&
Boone
Class
of
2020:
$20K
Class
of
2014+:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2013:
$23K December
22,
2021 2000
hours
(firm
uses
a
black-box
bonus
structure,
but
it
seems
to
be
a
full
match
for
all
class
years) Undisclosed
Latham
&
Watkins
EOY
Bonus
to
be
announced
in
January
2022

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2021:
$2.5K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
23,
2021 Associates
eligible
for
special
bonus
if
they
were
at
or
above
their
hours
as
of
November
30
(class
of
2021
excepted);
those
who
meet
or
exceed
hourly
requirements
by
the
end
of
2021
will
receive
special
bonus
alongside
year-end
bonus
in
January
2022 December
30,
2021
(special
bonuses)
AZA
Class
of
2021:
up
to
$15K
(pro-rated)
Class
of
2014+:
up
to
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K December
23,
2021 Year-end
associate
bonuses
determined
on
a
“bespoke
basis”
(taking
into
consideration
firm
performance,
market
compensation,
and
the
associate’s
hours,
collections,
and
performance);
2400+
hours
required
to
earn
special
bonuses December
23,
2021
Morgan
Lewis
Class
of
2020:
$20K
Class
of
2014:
$115K

Special
Bonus
Class
of
2020:
$4K
Class
of
2014+:
$23K January
1,
2022 1900
hours
(“extraordinary
bonus”
offered
for
associates
who
hit
a
certain
amount
of
hours
above
1900) January
2022