Cravath is first to announce year-end associate bonuses, with more money for every class year

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Cravath is first to announce year-end associate…

Law Firms Cravath is first to announce year-end associate bonuses, with more money for every class year

By Debra Cassens Weiss

November 22, 2021, 4:36 pm CST

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Cravath, Swaine & Moore announced year-end bonuses of up to $115,000 for associates Monday, topping last year’s year-end bonuses of up to $100,000.

Cravath has “reclaimed its throne as BigLaw’s bonus leader” by being the first to announce, Above the Law reports.

“This is the first time in years that Cravath has increased the size of its bonuses across all class years,” Above the Law reports. “Everyone will see more money.”

Last year, Baker McKenzie was the first to announce bonuses. In 2019, the first was Milbank. Cravath was first in 2015 through 2018 and again in 2009 through 2013.

Here is the Cravath schedule:

• Class of 2021: $15,000 (prorated)

• Class of 2020: $20,000

• Class of 2019: $30,000

• Class of 2018: $57,500

• Class of 2017: $75,000

• Class of 2016: $90,000

• Class of 2015: $105,000

• Class of 2014: $115,000

Bonuses will be paid Dec. 17, according to a memo published by Above the Law. Bonuses require “suitable performance” but there is no billable-hour requirement for eligibility.

Cravath announced in June that it was increasing salaries for first-year associates from $190,000 to $205,000, according to Above the Law. It was among several law firms that announced associate pay increases this year, according to a chart prepared by Above the Law.

Cravath also announced in March that it was paying special bonuses ranging from $12,000 to $64,000. The scale was the same for many law firms, according to an Above the Law chart here.

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