Top paying US law firms: the $160k+ club

This article from Above the Law puts together a list of law firms that are paying starting salaries in excess of $160,000. Bickel & Brewer recently raised first-year salaries from $175,000 to $185,000. Litigation firm Boies Schiller & Flexner has an unusual compensation system that results in mega-bonuses for hard working associates. As for its starting salary, the firm pays $174,000 a year. IP litigation boutique Desmarais recently raised starting salaries from $160,000 to $180,000 per annum. McKool Smith pays a total compensation package of $177,500 to first-year associates: a $165,000 base salary, a $10,000 signing bonus, and a $2,500 year-end bonus. Litigation boutique Susman & Godfrey pays a $160,000 salary along with a $5,000 signing bonus and $5,000 vacation bonus. Wachtell Lipton pays super-sized year-end bonuses on top of a starting salary of $165,000. Williams & Connolly doesn’t pay associate bonuses, but its starting salary is high at $180,000.

Top paying US law firms: the $160k+ club abovethelaw.com Thu, Oct 25, 2012