The 2021 Bonus Tracker: All The Biglaw Firms That Have Announced Bonuses

Since we broke the news of the market bonus scale for associates at large law firms in the United States — a trend started by Cravath on Monday, November 22, 2021 — several firms quickly fell in line and matched the scale. The rest were waiting for another firm to enter the scene (ahem, Davis Polk) and announce even bigger, better bonuses. That finally happened on December 6, when DPW announced a round of special bonuses.

When will your firm announce its bonuses?

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As usual, we are compiling a table of all the firms that have already matched the new bonus scale, whether special bonuses are or were included, the minimum hours required to receive those bonuses (if available), and the date those bonuses will be paid. Today, we unveil that table for your viewing pleasure. We will update this table on a daily basis, sometimes multiple times, as firm’s announce bonus news. If you see any information here that is incorrect or needs clarification, let us know.

Help us help you now (and if/when you decide to make a lateral move in the future). Let us know what your firm’s minimum billable hours targets are for bonus eligibility and when your firm will pay those bonuses. You generally must remain at your firm until the payout date to receive them, as stated in most memos, which could make it all the more difficult for you to leave your place of employment.

As a little reminder, we love covering the Biglaw bonus season, but we need your help. As soon as your firm’s bonus memo comes out, please email it to us (subject line: “[Firm Name] Bonus”). We always keep our sources on bonus stories anonymous. There’s no need to send the memo using your firm email account; your personal email account is fine. Please be sure to include the memo as proof; we like to post complete bonus memos as a service to our readers. You can take a photo of the memo and attach as a picture if you are worried about metadata.

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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 bonus announcement that we publish. Cheers to a happy bonus season, everyone!

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 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 November 23, 2021 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 December 1, 2021 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 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 December 2, 2021 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 December 2, 2021 2000 hours (1900 billable, 100 non-billable) Early 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 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 31, 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 December 7, 2021 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 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+: $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 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 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 Sponsored business-g9cd6e6321_1920 Sponsored How GCs Can Mitigate The ‘Great Resignation’ Download this free report for the findings from Axiom’s 2021 General Counsel Survey — and for steps you can take right now based on these results. From Above The Law and Axiom ATL Screenshot 1 Sponsored Matterly: Bring The Power Of Salesforce CRM To The Practice Of Law With Matterly in your arsenal, you can finally capitalize on the power of Salesforce in a way that works with the day-to-day practice of law. From Stephanie Wilkins what clients are saying grow findlaw Sponsored What Clients Are Saying Behind Your Back How firms can harness the power of branding. From Thomson Reuters

Staci ZaretskyStaci 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 or connect with her on LinkedIn.

Sponsored S_and_H_v1_1200x1200 Sponsored Now Hiring! Sherman & Howard is seeking associates in Denver. From Sherman & Howard GO-8102-Empowering-Professional-Development_766-4 cropped Sponsored PD Appreciation Month: DEI Takes Center Stage With law firms and other organizations increasingly focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), PLI has developed a series of timely, relevant programs for the Professional Development community. From Practising Law Institute Enter your email address to sign up for ATL's Bonus & Salary Increase Alerts. hbspt.forms.create({ css: '', portalId: '470182', formId: '918f9998-ad56-4438-b7e2-7d3c4676b70e' }); #hs-form-918f9998-ad56-4438-b7e2-7d3c4676b70e { border: 1px solid #e2e2e2; border-width: 1px 0; margin: 15px auto; padding: 15px 0; } #shs-form-918f9998-ad56-4438-b7e2-7d3c4676b70e h2 { font-size: 24px; line-height: 28px; } #hs-form-918f9998-ad56-4438-b7e2-7d3c4676b70e > p { color: #666; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0.625rem 0 1.25rem; } #shs-form-918f9998-ad56-4438-b7e2-7d3c4676b70e form { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items: flex-start; } #shs-form-918f9998-ad56-4438-b7e2-7d3c4676b70e form .hs_email label { display: none; } #hs-form-918f9998-ad56-4438-b7e2-7d3c4676b70e .hbspt-form { background: none; padding: 0; } #hs-form-918f9998-ad56-4438-b7e2-7d3c4676b70e .hbspt-form div { display: inline-block; margin: 0; padding: 0; } #hs-form-918f9998-ad56-4438-b7e2-7d3c4676b70e input[type=submit].primary { background-color: #6288a5; background-image: none; cursor: pointer; padding: 8px 20px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; vertical-align: middle; } #email-918f9998-ad56-4438-b7e2-7d3c4676b70e { border-radius: 0; font-size: 22px; margin-right: 8px; padding: 5px; vertical-align: middle; width: 300px; border: 1px solid #999999; background: white; box-shadow: inset 0 1px 1px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15); height: 50px; outline: none; font-family: "Proxima Nova", "proxima-nova", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; color: #666666; -moz-border-radius: 0; -o-border-radius: 0; -webkit-border-radius: 0; } Topics

2021 Bonus Tracker, Associate Bonus Watch 2021, Associate Compensation Scorecard, Biglaw, Bonuses, Money, Unprecedented


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