Since we broke the news of the new $235K salary scale for associates at large law firms in the United States — a trend that was started by Milbank on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 — firms are quickly falling in line to match the scale. In addition to these hefty new salaries, Biglaw and boutique firms alike are rolling out seasonal bonuses. When will your firm announce its new salary and bonus scales for associates?
Today, for your viewing pleasure, we unveil tables of all of the firms that have already matched the new salary scale (or instituted raises, generally, because of the new salary scale) and bonus scales, the date those matches were made, the minimum hours generally required at those firms to receive bonuses (if available), and the date bonuses will be paid (if available). We presume all raises are effective July 1, 2026. We will be updating this table on a daily basis, sometimes multiple times, as news on raises and bonuses unfolds. If you see any information here that is incorrect or needs clarification, let us know.
We are covering this trend extensively, so please drop us a line — text (646-820-8477) or email (subject line: “[Firm Name] Matches”) — when you know of a firm making a compensation move. Please include the memo if available. You can take a photo of the memo and send it via text or email if you don’t want to forward the original PDF or Word file. Sources are kept confidential.
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 compensation announcement that we publish. Cheers to a happy bonus and raise season, everyone!
BONUSES
Firm
Date Matched
Minimum Hours
Payout Date
Selendy Gay
Bonuses up to $25K
May 27, 2026
Bonuses awarded to associates on track to meet their billable expectations
Undisclosed
Hueston Hennigan
Bonuses ranging from $10K to $35K, regardless of class year
May 29, 2026
2000 hours (higher bonuses for higher hours)
Undisclosed
Dunn Isaacson Rhee
Bonuses ranging from $10K to $25K, based on class year
June 4, 2026
Undisclosed (additional bonus money possible for those who have had an “outsized impact”)
Undisclosed
RAISES
Firm
Salaries
Minimum Hours
Milbank
FIRST MOVER
June 2, 2026
Class of 2026/2025: $235K
Class of 2018: $455K
None
McDermott
June 2, 2026
Class of 2026/2025: $235K
Class of 2018: $455K
2000 hours
Hueston Hennigan
June 2, 2026
Class of 2026/2025: $235K
Class of 2018: $455K
Undisclosed
Vartabedian Katz Hester Haynes
June 3, 2026
Class of 2026/2025: $235K
Class of 2018+: $455K
1800 hours
Quinn Emanuel
June 4, 2026
Class of 2026/2025: $235K
Class of 2018: $455K
2000 hours
Katten
June 4, 2026
Class of 2026/2025: $235K
Class of 2019+: $440K
2000 hours
Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of 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 Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.
