Patent Law University

Big Law salary scale 2026: associate pay and bonuses since 1968

What the top-paying New York law firms pay associates by class year, and every change since Cravath’s 1968 raise: base salaries, year-end, special and summer bonuses, the firm that led each move, and a source for every figure. Patent associates at these firms are paid on the same scale; for patent agents and technical specialists, see what our patent job postings state below.

First-year base, 2026

$235,000

Eighth-year base, 2026

$455,000

Year-end bonus (2025)

$20k–$115k

Milbank's scale, effective July 1, 2026, adopted by about 20 firms (McDermott, Quinn Emanuel, Katten, Sullivan & Cromwell, Norton Rose Fulbright and boutiques; Ice Miller, McKool Smith and Troutman from Jan. 1, 2027). Cravath and many large firms still pay the prior scale: $225,000 / $235,000 / $260,000 / $310,000 / $365,000 / $390,000 / $420,000 (Cravath's seventh year), $435,000 eighth year at firms that publish it. [130][131][132]

Salary and bonuses by class year

Choose a year to see that year’s scale, the bonuses paid and what happened.

Big Law associate pay, 2026
Class yearBase salarySummer bonusTotal
1st year$235,000$6,000$241,000
2nd year$245,000$10,000$255,000
3rd year$270,000$15,000$285,000
4th year$320,000$20,000$340,000
5th year$385,000$25,000$410,000
6th year$410,000$25,000$435,000
7th year$440,000$25,000$465,000
8th year$455,000$25,000$480,000

Mid-year change: the scale above took effect July 1, 2026; before that a first-year earned $225,000. Totals use the new scale for the whole year. Milbank raised pay to $235,000-$455,000 effective July 1 and paid a third $6,000-$25,000 summer special; McDermott, Quinn Emanuel, Katten, Sullivan & Cromwell and about twenty firms matched the raise, Cahill matched the special, but Cravath had not matched either as of Oct. 14, 2026. No 2026 year-end scale yet. [130][131][132][133][134][135][136][137][138][139]

A dash means no source we found states that figure; we never estimate one.

Big Law pay over time

Base salary for a first-year and an eighth-year associate at New York’s top-paying firms, each year since 1968. Gaps are years no source states. Tick the box above to see it in September 2026 dollars.

Every change to first-year pay since 1968

YearFirst-year baseIn September 2026 dollarsWhat happened
2026$235,000$238,000Milbank raised pay to $235,000-$455,000 effective July 1 and paid a third $6,000-$25,000 summer special; McDermott, Quinn Emanuel, Katten, Sullivan & Cromwell and about twenty firms matched the raise, Cahill matched the special, but Cravath had not matched either as of Oct. 14, 2026. No 2026 year-end scale yet. [130][131][132][133][134][135][136][137][138][139]
2024$225,000$242,000The $225,000-$435,000 scale took effect January 1 (Milbank led, Cravath raised senior pay further, Milbank then matched; the eighth-year figure is Milbank's, since Cravath publishes only seven classes). Milbank paid a $6,000-$25,000 summer special; Cravath and most firms paid the same amounts at year-end instead, so it is shown once, as a special bonus. [114][116][117][120][121][122][123]
2022$215,000$248,000Milbank went to $215,000-$385,000 (Jan. 20), Davis Polk went higher for mid-levels (Feb. 22), and Cravath topped both at $215,000-$415,000 (Feb. 28), which Davis Polk and the market matched, all retroactive to January 1. No market-wide special bonuses; year-end bonuses repeated 2021's, with Baker McKenzie first and Cravath leaving its class of 2015 off the scale. [105][106][107][108][109][110][111][112][113]
2021$205,000$255,000Milbank moved to $200,000 (June 10), Davis Polk topped it the next day ($202,500 incoming / $205,000-$365,000), and Cravath and most firms matched Davis Polk. Davis Polk also led the spring special ($12,000-$64,000, paid April and September; Cravath matched) and a December special ($4,000-$23,000); Cravath raised year-end bonuses to $15,000-$115,000. The spring total includes the September installment. [97][98][99][100][101][102][103][104]
2018$190,000$255,000Milbank moved first to $190,000 (June 4); Cravath matched the start but paid more to mid-levels and seniors (to $340,000) and added $5,000-$25,000 summer bonuses, and most firms followed Cravath. Willkie and Cleary paid seniors $350,000. Base shown is Cravath's version (Milbank's tops at $330,000). [82][83][84][85][86][87]
2016$180,000$253,000Cravath ended the nine-year $160,000 era with a $180,000-$315,000 scale on July 1, 2016; Milbank, Paul Weiss, Skadden, Davis Polk, S&C and most of Biglaw matched within days. Year-end bonuses stayed at $15,000-$100,000. [76][77][78][79]
2007$160,000$260,000Simpson Thacher raised first-year pay to $160,000 (effective Jan. 1, 2007); top New York firms including Cravath matched. Cravath's year-end bonuses were $35,000-$60,000 plus special bonuses of $10,000-$50,000. [45][46][47][48][49]
2006$145,000$242,000Sullivan & Cromwell raised first-year pay to $145,000 in February; Simpson Thacher and Cravath matched within two weeks, and most New York firms followed. Cravath's December 2006 bonuses repeated 2005's ($35,000–$60,000); Simpson Thacher, Milbank and Paul Weiss paid $65,000 to the class of 1999 and more senior. Paul Weiss's December 12 memo set a class-year scale at the $145,000 level ($155,000 second-year to $255,000 eighth-year) that Simpson Thacher's January 2007 raise overtook. [28][29][43][44][45][40][41][42]
2000$125,000$245,000Gunderson Dettmer (Silicon Valley) started the raise; Davis Polk was the first New York firm at $125,000 and the market followed. Skadden paid $140,000 base with smaller bonuses. [31][32][27][23]
1999$105,000$212,000Approximate: New York base reached about $105,000 before February 2000 (NALP April 1999 median $96,000). Leading firm not identified. [27][28][29][23][30]
1998$88,000$182,000Cravath paid first-years $88,000 in salary plus a $12,000 bonus; NALP's New York median was $87,500 in January 1998. There was no single market rate that year. [26][23]
1997$87,000$183,000NALP: New York prevailing $87,000. Simpson Thacher, Milbank, Shearman, Cleary and others listed $87,000; Cravath listed $85,000 including an arrival bonus plus a $6,000 December bonus. [23][25][21]
1995$85,000$188,000NALP: New York prevailing first-year salary $85,000; at least one NY office still reported $83,000 in late 1995. Leading firm not identified. [23][24]
1989$83,000$226,000New York starting salary reached $83,000. Leading firm not identified. [18][19]
1988$71,000$202,000New York firms moved first-year pay to $71,000 for 1988 (some, like Weil Gotshal, paid $76,000); Cahill paid its 1987 class $71,000 plus a $4,000 bonus from June 1988. [15][17][14][13][16]
1986$65,000$200,000Cravath raised first-year pay from $53,000 to $65,000 (class of 1986), and large New York firms matched (Milbank at first said it would not). [9][10][11][12][4]
1985$53,000$166,000Cravath paid $53,000; a few firms paid slightly more. When the rate reached $53,000 is not known. [9][10][11]
1981$43,000$159,000Going rate rose to $43,000. Leading firm not identified. [7]
1980$37,000$151,000Going rate for the most sought-after graduates: $37,000. Leading firm not identified. [7]
1976$25,000$148,000Wall Street firms' starting salaries went up to $25,000. Leading firm not identified. [6]
1973$18,000$137,000New York going rate rose to $18,000; other cities' leading firms paid somewhat less. [5]
1970$16,000$139,000Late 1970: New York going rate lifted to $16,000 ($15,000 for most of the year). Leading firm not identified. [5]
1968$15,000$145,000Cravath, Swaine & Moore raised first-year pay to $15,000 (from $10,500 by TIME's account, $8,000 by a 1990 law review's); other Wall Street firms quickly matched. [1][2][3][4]

Where patent jobs fall against the scale

What patent postings on our board say they pay, from the ranges the postings state (last twelve months; law firms and companies of every size, so most sit below the scale). Patent agents and technical specialists are not on the associate lockstep at most firms.

RolePostingsMedian midpointMiddle half
Patent Attorney · early career14$269k$208k–$324k
Patent Attorney · mid-level95$271k$200k–$313k
Patent Attorney · senior25$278k$258k–$295k
Patent Agent55$165k$145k–$179k

All patent salaries · Patent attorney jobs · Patent agent jobs

Questions

What is the Big Law salary scale in 2026?

Base salaries on the market scale Milbank set for 2026 run from $235,000 for a first-year associate to $455,000 for an eighth-year, effective July 1, 2026. Milbank's scale, effective July 1, 2026, adopted by about 20 firms (McDermott, Quinn Emanuel, Katten, Sullivan & Cromwell, Norton Rose Fulbright and boutiques; Ice Miller, McKool Smith and Troutman from Jan. 1, 2027). Cravath and many large firms still pay the prior scale: $225,000 / $235,000 / $260,000 / $310,000 / $365,000 / $390,000 / $420,000 (Cravath's seventh year), $435,000 eighth year at firms that publish it.

How much is the Big Law year-end bonus?

The most recent market year-end bonus scale (2025) runs from $20,000 for first-year associates to $115,000 for the most senior classes, with first-years who joined that fall prorated. Firms usually announce it in late November or early December.

What is the Cravath scale?

The lockstep salary scale large New York law firms pay associates by class year, named for Cravath, Swaine & Moore, which set it for decades. In recent raises Milbank and Simpson Thacher have often moved first, and other firms match within days.

How has Big Law pay changed since 1968?

Cravath raised first-year pay to $15,000 in 1968, about $145,000 in September 2026 dollars. A first-year now starts at $235,000 on the market scale.

How this page is made

  • Every figure comes from a firm’s own memo, as published, or contemporaneous reporting, and each year lists its sources. Where sources disagree, the footnote says so. Where no source states a figure, the table shows a dash: nothing is estimated or filled in.
  • The scale is the New York top-of-market rate. Class years count from law school graduation (1st year = the class that graduated the year before). A total adds the base in force at the end of the year and that year’s bonuses; it is not prorated for a mid-year raise.
  • Today’s dollars use the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index (CPI-U, U.S. city average), annual averages, to September 2026.
  • We check for new raises and bonus announcements every week; data last updated October 14, 2026.

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Sources

  1. Lawyers: Mighty Raise, TIME, 1968-02-23 — “The ceiling was blown off by the prestigious firm of Cravath, Swaine and Moore, which announced that it is increasing its starting salaries from $10,500 to $15,000 immediately.”
  2. Law Firms Across U.S. Raising Pay, The New York Times, 1968-02-17 (subscription) — “Cravath, Swaine & Moore, a Wall Street firm, announced the increase to $15,000 beginning in June. Several other Wall Street firms quickly followed.”
  3. New Lawyers to Find Salary Market Bullish, The New York Times, 1968-02-15 (subscription) — “Beginning salaries in NYC law firms for law school grads rising as result of decision by Cravath, Swaine & Moore to raise salaries to $15000 a yr.”
  4. Ryan Boone, Essays on Labor Demand with Market Imperfections (Ph.D. dissertation), ch. 1, UCLA (eScholarship), 2021 — “Instead, Cravath unilaterally raised starting salaries by almost 50% to $15,000.”
  5. John C. York & Rosemary D. Hale, Too Many Lawyers? The Legal Services Industry: Its Structure and Outlook, 26 J. Legal Educ. 1, Journal of Legal Education (AALS), 1973 — “In late 1970 the "going" New York rate for beginning lawyers was lifted to $16,000. For the next two years the New York rate remained stable, going to $18,000 in 1973.”
  6. Law Graduates From Harvard Prospered More 50 Years Ago, The New York Times, 1977-05-16 (subscription) — “Last year, starting salaries for those who landed on Wall Street — about 500 or so of the 32.000 graduates—went up to $25,000.”
  7. Business and the Law; Starting Pay: No Going Rate (Tamar Lewin), The New York Times, 1982-05-04 (subscription) — “Last year, the going rate for the most sought after law graduates was $43,000, up from $37,000 the year before.”
  8. A Parting Shot, The Harvard Crimson, 1984-02-01 — “In 1982, the average Harvard Law School graduate starting with a law firm received roughly $40,000 for his first year.”
  9. At Cravath, $65,000 to Start (Tamar Lewin), The New York Times, 1986-04-18 (subscription) — “Cravath, Swaine & Moore is raising its pay for beginning lawyers by a whopping $12,000 a year - to $65,000 ... (Cravath paid $53,000 last year, and a few firms paid slightly more.)”
  10. Lawyers: The $65,000 Minimum Wage, TIME, 1986-04-28 — “the firm said that it will raise salaries for freshly minted attorneys from $53,000 to $65,000”
  11. ABTL Report Vol. IX No. 1, Association of Business Trial Lawyers (ABTL Report, Los Angeles), 1986-12 — “Cravath, Swaine & Moore announced that it would increase its beginning associates' salaries from $53,000 to $65,000 (for the class of 1986).”
  12. Career; The High Salaries In Law, The New York Times, 1986-08-19 (subscription) — “$65,000 annual salary for new lawyers, announced in April by Cravath, Swaine & Moore, the big New York firm. Other large firms have also raised”
  13. Debra Cassens Moss, Associates' Pay at $71,000: N.Y. Firms OK $6,000 Hike, 74 A.B.A. J. 17, ABA Journal (table of contents on JSTOR), 1988-01-01 (subscription) — “ASSOCIATES' PAY AT $71,000: N.Y. firms OK $6,000 hike”
  14. Should We Still Say 'Cravath Scale' If Other Firms Pay More? (Roy Strom), Bloomberg Law, 2021-04-08 — “Fried Frank had already moved its starting salary to $68,000 from $65,000”
  15. Business and the Law; Young Lawyers' Salaries Stabilize, The New York Times, 1988-06-13 (subscription) — “Last week Cahill, Gordon & Reindel adjusted the salary level for the 1987 class to $71,000 plus a $4,000 bonus.”
  16. U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (report citing The Wall Street Journal and the ABA Journal), U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (report citing The Wall Street Journal and the ABA Journal), 1988-06-06 — “in 1987 the top salary paid for new associate attorneys in New York City was $65,000. A recent article in the ABA Journal reported that some New York law firms have set salaries for new associates in 1988 at $71,000.”
  17. Salaries Soar for New Crop of Lawyers, Poll Says, Deseret News (UPI), reporting an ABA Journal poll, 1988-07-24 — “"The $76,000 is being paid by one law firm, Weil-Gotshal-Manges in New York," Larry Bodine, editor of the journal reported”
  18. S. S. Samuelson, The Organizational Structure of Law Firms: Lessons From Management Theory, 51 Ohio St. L.J. 645, Ohio State Law Journal, 1990 — “In 1989, the starting salary in New York was $83,000, a more than tenfold increase in twenty years”
  19. Most Firms Put Brakes on Starting Salary Hikes (Kenneth Rutman), National Law Journal (via Law.com NewsVault), 1990-09-24 (subscription) — “... new lawyers the same base salary as last year: $83,000. ... associates will earn $83,000 in the coming year.”
  20. Growth in New York Firms Is Up, and Down, Law.com NewsVault (New York Law Journal/NLJ archive), 1991-10-28 (subscription) — “none had raised or cut salaries for this year. Perhaps more interesting, 16 of the firms are paying the same starting salary: $83,000.”
  21. Flashback Friday: A Look At Associate Compensation In The 1990s (Part 2), Above the Law (David Lat), from The Insider's Guide to Law Firms, 2014-07-11 — “1993: First year $83,000; second $96,000; third $112,000; fourth $128,000; fifth $144,000; sixth $160,000; seventh $170,000”
  22. Flashback Friday: A Look At Associate Compensation In The 1990s (Part 1), Above the Law (David Lat), 2014-06-27 — “For reference, Cravath in New York paid a starting salary of $83,000 in 1993 and $85,000 in 1997”
  23. How Much Do Law Firms Pay Associates? A Look Back at 20 Years of Findings from the NALP Associate Salary Survey, NALP (NALP Bulletin), 2014-10 — “Because salary levels in these cities tend to cluster at one or two figures, the medians shown often reflect a prevailing or most commonly reported salary, or even the highest salary.”
  24. Supplemental Information for Law Firms, National Law Journal (NLJ 250 survey, via Law.com NewsVault), 1995-10-09 (subscription) — “Baker & Botts L.L.P. $83,000 in New York.”
  25. Findings from NALP's Associate Salary Survey - A Historical Perspective 1996-2001, NALP (NALP Bulletin), 2001-09 — “for these specific cities and this firm size the figures shown are more usefully thought of as simply the prevailing salary in that city at that time.”
  26. Rookie Lawyers See Their Pay Soar Into the Six-Figure Range, The Wall Street Journal (Frances A. McMorris), 1998-04-29 (subscription) — “Cravath, Swaine & Moore is paying $88,000 in salary and $12,000 in bonus.”
  27. Law Firms' Pay Soars to Stem Dot-Com Defections, The New York Times (David Leonhardt), 2000-02-02 (subscription) — “At top New York firms during the 1990's, starting base salaries rose from about $80,000 to about $105,000, where they stood until this week.”
  28. Sullivan Bonus Babies Get Lift in Salaries As White Shoes Tap, The New York Observer (Anna Schneider-Mayerson), 2006-02-20 — “After this salary sprint, first-year lawyers will be earning $145,000 a year. (The last base salary raise ... bumped first-years from $105,000 to $125,000.)”
  29. NY To $190K: Who Will Lead The Charge?, Above the Law (David Lat), 2016-05-19 — “Sullivan & Cromwell took starting salaries from $125,000 to $145,000. ... Simpson and Cravath matched within two weeks.”
  30. Entry-Level Associate Salaries Show No Sign of Leveling Off, NALP (press release), 1999-08-30 — “the median salary for first-year associates in all firms of over 251 attorneys in the Northeast was $95,000, with reported salaries ranging from $72,000 to $107,000.”
  31. New Economy: Law Firms See a Bill Come Due, The New York Times (David Leonhardt), 2000-05-22 — “By the spring, first-year associates at top firms across the country were earning $125,000 a year, not including annual bonuses that often exceed $15,000.”
  32. And Let the Lawyers Sing: 'Glory to the Salary King', The New York Times (David Leonhardt), 2000-02-04 — “Davis Polk & Wardwell, which told its associates last week that their salaries would jump by about 25 percent, was the first New York firm to act.”
  33. Entry-Level Associate Salaries Remain Stable in Large Firms, NALP (press release), 2001-08-24 — “In some major cities, such as Los Angeles, New York City, and the Silicon Valley area, the prevailing salary of $125,000 for first-year associates remained unchanged from April 2000.”
  34. Entry-Level Associate Salaries Remain Stable in Large Firms, NALP (press release), 2002-08-19 — “In some major cities, such as Los Angeles, New York City, and the Silicon Valley area, the prevailing salary of $125,000 for first-year associates remained unchanged from April 2000.”
  35. LawFuel (Legal Week report), LawFuel (Legal Week report), 2003-12 (announced Dec. 8, 2003; page shows a 2006 repost date) — “Cravath Swaine + Moore has set its benchmark bonuses for 2003 at last year's rates ... will pay first year associates awards of $17,500, rising to $25,000 – the same as the 2002 bonus season.”
  36. Law.com (ALM staff), Law.com (ALM staff), 2002-12 (subscription) — “Cravath, Swaine & Moore; Sullivan & Cromwell; Davis Polk & Wardwell; Paul, Weiss ...; Debevoise & Plimpton; Cleary, Gottlieb ... and several other firms decided they would pay first-year associates $17,500”
  37. Entry-Level Associate Salaries Again Remain Stable in Large Firms, NALP (press release), 2003-08-08 — “the prevailing salary of $125,000 for first-year associates in large firms has remained unchanged since April 2000.”
  38. Entry-Level Associate Salaries Continue to Remain Stable in Large Firms, NALP (press release), 2004-08-31 — “the prevailing salary of $125,000 for first-year associates in large firms has remained unchanged since April 2000.”
  39. Entry-Level Lawyer Salaries Remarkably Stable, NALP (press release), 2005-08-08 — “the prevailing salary of $125,000 for first-year associates in large firms has remained unchanged since April 2000.”
  40. Above the Law, Above the Law, 2006-12-11 — “Class of 2006 — $30,000 (pro-rated) ... Class of 2005 — $35,000 ... Class of 2000 — $60,000 / Class of 1999 — $60,000 ... They're paying the same bonuses as they did last year.”
  41. Above the Law, Above the Law, 2006-12-12 — “the firm will award 2006 associate bonuses and 2007 salaries as follows ... Class of 2005 – $155,000 ... Class of 2002 – $215,000 ... Class of 1999 and beyond – $65,000”
  42. Above the Law, Above the Law, 2006-12-15 — “Class of 2006: $30,000 (pro-rated) ... Class of 2000: $60,000 ... Class of 1999 (and more senior): $65,000”
  43. Jury's Still Out on Wall Street Law Bonuses, The Wall Street Journal, 2006-11 (subscription) — “In February, Sullivan & Cromwell boosted base compensation for starting associates to $145,000, an increase of $20,000.”
  44. Salaries Up at Largest Firms for First Time Since 2000, NALP (press release), 2006-08-01 — “In New York, the prevailing salary increased even more, to $145,000.”
  45. Breaking: Simpson Thacher Raises Associate Base Salaries!!!, Above the Law (David Lat), reproducing the firm memo, 2007-01-22 — “New associates arriving at the firm in the fall will now receive a starting salary of $160,000, instead of $145,000.”
  46. Salaries at Largest Firms Continue to Rise Rapidly, NALP (press release), 2007-09-14 — “In New York, the prevailing salary was even higher, $160,000.”
  47. Breaking: NY To $180K!!! Cravath Raises Associate Base Salaries!!!, Above the Law (David Lat), 2016-06-06 — “the last pay raise took place in January 2007, almost a decade ago.”
  48. Cravath Announces Bonuses - 'Special' and Otherwise!!!, Above the Law (David Lat), reproducing the Cravath memo, 2007-10-29 — “Class of 2006: year-end $35,000, special $10,000 ... Class of 2001: year-end $60,000, special $50,000”
  49. ABA Journal (citing Bloomberg), ABA Journal (citing Bloomberg), 2008-11-26 — “At Cravath, Swaine & Moore, total bonuses ranged from $45,000 to $110,000 last year.”
  50. Cravath Cuts 2008 Associate Bonuses, Says 2009 Bonuses Could Be Zero, ABA Journal (Martha Neil), 2008-11-21 — “bonuses at Cravath this year range from $17,500 (prorated) for the Class of 2008 to $30,000 for the Class of 2001, down from a bonus range of $35,000 to $60,000”
  51. Breaking: Cravath Bonuses Are Out (and Down), Above the Law (David Lat), reproducing the Cravath memo, 2009-11-02 — “Class of 2008 — $7,500 Class of 2007 — $10,000 Class of 2006 — $15,000 Class of 2005 — $20,000 Class of 2004 — $25,000 Class of 2003 — $30,000 Class of 2002 — $30,000”
  52. ABA Journal (citing Am Law Daily), ABA Journal (citing Am Law Daily), 2008-12-02 — “range from a prorated $17,500 for first-year associates to $32,500 for those with the most experience.”
  53. Salaries at Largest Firms Peak in 2009, NALP (press release), 2009-07-30 — “However, the fact that during the period following April 1, 2009, some large firms were cutting salaries means that the $160,000 figure may not be sustained in many markets.”
  54. Chill of Salary Freezes Reaches Top Law Firms, The New York Times, 2009-01-25 (subscription) — “Chill of Salary Freezes Reaches Top Law Firms”
  55. Above the Law, Above the Law, 2009-12-04 — “Class of 2003 — $30,000 / Class of 2002 and up — $35,000”
  56. Above the Law, Above the Law, 2010-12-22 — “Class of 2003 — $35,000 — $37,500 / Class of 2002 — [not listed] — $42,500”
  57. Some Associate Salaries Retreat from Their High But Remain Far Ahead of Salaries for Public Service Attorneys, NALP (press release), 2010-09-09 — “although the $160,000 salary for first-year associates still prevails at large firms in a number of markets, including Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, DC”
  58. Cravath Bonuses Are Out: The 2010 Bonus Season Is Under Way!, Above the Law (Lat & Mystal), reproducing the Cravath memo, 2010-11-22 — “Class of 2009 — $7,500 Class of 2008 — $10,000 Class of 2007 — $15,000 Class of 2006 — $20,000 Class of 2005 — $25,000 Class of 2004 — $30,000 Class of 2003 — $35,000”
  59. Above the Law, Above the Law, 2011-12-08 — “Class of 2004 — $37,500 / Class of 2003 (and up) — $42,500”
  60. Law Firm Associate Salaries Changed Little from Last Year, NALP (press release), 2011-09-08 — “associate salaries were largely flat in 2011 compared with 2010, with the $160,000 salary for first-year associates still prevailing at large firms in a number of markets, including Chicago, Los Angeles, New York”
  61. Associate Bonus Watch: Cravath Enters the Bonus Wars - and Beats the S&C Scale!, Above the Law (David Lat), 2011-01-31 — “Class of 2010: $2,500 (S&C: $2,500) Class of 2009: $7,500 (S&C: $7,500) ... Class of 2004: $20,000 (S&C: $17,500)”
  62. Breaking: Cravath Bonuses Are Out; Welcome to the 2011 Bonus Season!, Above the Law (Lat & Mystal), reproducing the Cravath memo, 2011-11-28 — “Class of 2010 — $7,500 Class of 2009 — $10,000 Class of 2008 — $15,000 Class of 2007 — $20,000 Class of 2006 — $25,000 Class of 2005 — $30,000 Class of 2004 — $37,500”
  63. Above the Law, Above the Law, 2011-01-21 — “2010: $2,500 ... 2004: $17,500 / 2003: $20,000 / 2002+: $20,000 ... payable in April.”
  64. Median First-Year Big-Law Associate Salary Slumps to $145,000 in 2012, a Median Last Seen in 2007, NALP (press release), 2012-09-20 — “Only in New York is the $160,000 starting salary still dominant, with 75% of firms with 251 or more lawyers paying that amount”
  65. Breaking: Cravath Announces Year-End Bonuses; Let the 2012 Bonus Season Begin!, Above the Law (Lat & Mystal), reproducing the Cravath scale via DealBook, 2012-11-26 — “Class of 2011 — $10,000 Class of 2010 — $14,000 Class of 2009 — $20,000 Class of 2008 — $27,000 ... Class of 2004 — $60,000”
  66. Tis the Season: Skadden and Simpson Thacher Match Cravath Year-End Bonuses of $10K to $60K, ABA Journal (Martha Neil), 2012-11-29 — “to a range of $10,000 to $60,000”
  67. Associate Salaries Bobble But Remain Essentially Flat, NALP (press release), 2013-09-18 — “It also remains the case that $160,000 is also the high starting salary at these firms and has been the high since some firms moved to this starting salary in 2007.”
  68. Breaking: Cravath Announces Year-End Bonuses; Let the 2013 Bonus Season Begin!, Above the Law (David Lat), reproducing the Cravath scale, 2013-12-02 — “Class of 2012 — $10,000 Class of 2011 — $14,000 Class of 2010 — $20,000 Class of 2009 — $27,000 ... Class of 2005 — $60,000”
  69. Top Salaries for First-Year Associates Remain Flat at $160,000, But Prevalence Shrinks, NALP (press release), 2014-10-09 — “With few exceptions, the $160,000 salary also stands as the high salary paid to first-year associates, as it has since 2007 when some firms first raised salaries from $145,000.”
  70. Bonus Season Comes Early! (And It's Not Cravath - It's Simpson), Above the Law (Joe Patrice), reproducing the Simpson Thacher memo, 2014-11-21 — “Class of 2013 $15,000. Class of 2012 $25,000. Class of 2011 $40,000. Class of 2010 $55,000. Class of 2009 $70,000. Class of 2008 $85,000. Class of 2007 $100,000”
  71. Associate Bonus Watch: Davis Polk Beats Simpson!, Above the Law (David Lat), 2014-11-25 — “will Simpson and Cravath and others revise their bonus scales after the fact to match Davis?”
  72. Big Law Firms Bring Back Hefty Bonuses for Associates, The New York Times DealBook, 2014-12-02 (subscription) — “Associates at large law firms in New York are taking home bonuses this year of $15000 to $100000, or more, depending on their tenure.”
  73. First-Year Associate Salaries at Large Law Firms Have Become Less Homogenous, Though $160,000 Continues to Define the Top of the Market, NALP (press release), 2015-04-15 — “Only in New York is the $160,000 starting salary almost universal, with about 85% of firms of more than 250 lawyers paying that amount”
  74. Welcome to Your First Year as a Lawyer. Your Salary Is $160,000., The New York Times DealBook, 2015-04-17 (subscription) — “Salaries for first-year lawyers at big firms have been stuck at around $160000 since 2007, according to the National Association for Law Placement”
  75. Associate Bonus Watch: Cravath Announces Its 2015 Associate Bonuses, Above the Law, reproducing the Cravath memo of 2015-12-07, 2015-12-07 — “Class of 2015 — $15,000 (pro-rated) Class of 2014 — $15,000 Class of 2013 — $25,000 Class of 2012 — $50,000 Class of 2011 — $65,000”
  76. Breaking: NY To $180K!!! Cravath Raises Associate Base Salaries!!!, Above the Law, 2016-06-06 — “1st year (class of 2015) – $180,000 ($160,000 + $20,000) ... 8th year (class of 2008) – $315,000 ($280,000 + $35,000)”
  77. First-year associate pay will be $180K at multiple BigLaw firms following Cravath's lead, ABA Journal, 2016-06-08 — “Cravath Swaine & Moore announced Monday that the New York law firm is increasing its starting salary to $180,000, effective July 1.”
  78. Associate Bonus Watch: Cravath Announces Its 2016 Associate Bonuses!, Above the Law, 2016-11-28 — “Class of 2015 — $15,000 ... Class of 2008 — $100,000 ... Bonuses will be paid on Friday, December 16.”
  79. Cravath Announces Bonuses After Big Salary Jump, Bloomberg Law (Casey Sullivan), 2016-11-28 (subscription) — “Cravath, Swaine & Moore has announced associate year-end bonuses ranging from $15,000 to $100,000, depending on seniority.”
  80. Associate Bonus Watch: Cravath Announces Its 2017 Associate Bonuses!, Above the Law, 2017-11-27 — “Class of 2016 — $15,000 ... Class of 2009 — $100,000. This means a Cravath first-year will earn $195,000 and eighth-years will earn $415,000.”
  81. Cravath announces bonuses that repeat last year's amounts; other firms follow suit, ABA Journal, 2017-11-28 — “[Search-result text, page not read in full] The bonuses don't differ from amounts in the last few years ... from $15,000 for the Class of 2017 (prorated) up to $100,000 for the Class of 2010.”
  82. Milbank boosts associates' starting pay to $190K, ABA Journal (Debra Cassens Weiss), 2018-06-04 — “First year: $190,000 ... Fourth year: $250,000 ... Eighth year: $330,000”
  83. Cravath Hath Spoken - And Beats Milbank For Senior Associates!, Above the Law (Elie Mystal), reproducing the Cravath memo, 2018-06-11 — “Transcribed from memo image: Class 2017 Special Bonus $5,000 Base Salary $190,000 ... Class 2010 $25,000 $340,000. Memo text: 'The base salary increase is effective July 1' ... 'Bonuses will be paid on June 29.'”
  84. Several firms follow Cravath after it beats Milbank on associate pay raises and adds bonuses, ABA Journal (Debra Cassens Weiss), 2018-06-14 — “First year: $190,000, with $5,000 special bonus ... Eighth year: $340,000, with $25,000 special bonus”
  85. Cravath Sees Milbank's Raise to $190K for First-Years and Adds $340K for Senior Associates, Bloomberg Law (Elizabeth Olson), 2018-06-12 (subscription) — “Cravath's eighth-year associates will earn $340,000 instead of $330,000 at Milbank.”
  86. Cravath announces associate bonuses of up to $100K; Paul Weiss quickly announces a match, ABA Journal (Debra Cassens Weiss), 2018-11-20 — “Class of 2018 — $15,000 (prorated) ... Class of 2011 — $100,000 ... Class of 2010 — $100,000”
  87. The Firm That Brought The $190K Salary Scale To Biglaw Has Announced Bonuses, Above the Law (Staci Zaretsky), 2018-11-20 — “Milbank is officially matching Cravath's bonuses.”
  88. BigLaw bonus season begins with announcement from Milbank, ABA Journal (Debra Cassens Weiss), 2019-11-07 — “Class of 2019 – $15,000 ... Class of 2011 – $100,000 ... will be paid on Dec. 31 ... Associates will be paid less in total bonuses in 2019, however.”
  89. Cravath Announces Bonuses - Now The 2019 Bonus Season Can Really Begin, Above the Law, 2019-11-11 — “Class of 2019 – $15,000 (pro-rated) ... Class of 2012 – $100,000. Yup, it's the same as Milbank (and last year's bonuses).”
  90. Cravath announces associate bonuses; did the firm top Milbank?, ABA Journal, 2019-11-11 — “[Search-result excerpt] Cravath's associate bonuses will range from $15,000 to $100,000, depending on years of service ... The bonuses will be paid on Dec. 20.”
  91. Davis Polk announces special bonuses that top Cooley's and promises year-end bonuses, too, ABA Journal (Debra Cassens Weiss), 2020-09-15 — “Class of 2019: $7,500 ... Class of 2014: $37,000 ... Class of 2013: $40,000”
  92. Davis Polk To Hand Associates Up To $40K In Bonuses, Law360, 2020-09-15 (subscription) — “[Search-result excerpt] bonuses ranging from $7,500 to $40,000 ... $40,000 for those in the class of 2013 and others more senior ... paid September 30”
  93. Cravath Bonuses Are Here!, Above the Law (Kathryn Rubino), reproducing the Cravath memo, 2020-11-23 — “Transcribed from memo image: Class 2020 Year-End $15,000 (pro-rated) Special $7,500 (pro-rated) 2021 Base $190,000 ... Class 2013 $100,000 $40,000 $340,000. Text: 'payable to associates on December 18th'”
  94. Cravath announces two bonuses of up to $140K and Paul Weiss follows, ABA Journal (Debra Cassens Weiss), 2020-11-24 — “Year-end: 2020 $15,000 (prorated) ... 2013 $100,000; special: 2020 $7,500 (prorated) ... 2013 $40,000 [table as read]”
  95. Cravath, Paul Weiss Boost Associate Bonus Race to $140k Ceiling, Bloomberg Law (Meghan Tribe), 2020-11-24 (subscription) — “$15,000 for first-year associates to $100,000 for its most senior associates ... range from $7,500 to $40,000 based on the associate's tenure at the firm”
  96. Above the Law, Above the Law, 2020-11-25 — “Milbank: Class of 2012: $100K ... Sullivan & Cromwell: Class of 2012+: $100K ... Simpson Thacher: Class of 2012: $100K ... Davis Polk: Class of 2013+: $100K”
  97. WOW!!! Once Again, Davis Polk Raises The Bar On Bonuses, Above the Law (Staci Zaretsky), reproducing the Davis Polk scale, 2021-03-22 — “Transcribed from memo image: Class of 2020 April $4,500 September $7,500 Total $12,000 ... Class of 2014 and senior, including counsel $24,000 $40,000 $64,000”
  98. Cravath Special Bonuses Have Finally Arrived!, Above the Law (Staci Zaretsky), reproducing the Cravath scale, 2021-03-29 — “Transcribed from memo image: Class 2020 April 30 $6,000 September 30 $6,000 Total $12,000 ... 2014 $32,000 $32,000 $64,000. Text: 'payable on April 30 and September 30'”
  99. Cravath is first to announce year-end associate bonuses, with more money for every class year, ABA Journal (Debra Cassens Weiss), 2021-11-22 — “Class of 2021: $15,000 (prorated) ... Class of 2014: $115,000 ... Bonuses will be paid Dec. 17”
  100. After Milbank raises associate salaries, Davis Polk goes higher and many follow, ABA Journal (Debra Cassens Weiss), 2021-06-14 — “Milbank: Class of 2021 and 2020: $200,000 ... Class of 2013: $355,000. Davis Polk: Class of 2021: $202,500; Class of 2020: $205,000 ... Class of 2013: $365,000”
  101. Wake Up Call: Cravath, DLA Match Davis Polk on Associate Pay, Bloomberg Law (Rick Mitchell), 2021-06-17 (subscription) — “this time is settling for matching Davis Polk's scale, which runs from $202,500 to $365,000 per year”
  102. Cravath, first to announce year-end bonuses, is among the firms matching Davis Polk's special bonuses, ABA Journal (Debra Cassens Weiss), 2021-12-08 — “Class of 2020: $4,000 ... Class of 2014 and senior: $23,000”
  103. Cravath Matches Davis Polk's $23,000 Special Bonus Scale, Bloomberg Law (Ruiqi Chen), 2021-12-07 (subscription) — “The special bonus brings the maximum possible award for senior associates at both of the firms to $138,000.”
  104. Above the Law, Above the Law, 2021-11-29 — “Milbank: Class of 2013: $115K ... Simpson Thacher: Class of 2013: $115K ... Davis Polk: Class of 2014+: $115K ... Sullivan & Cromwell: Class of 2014+: $115K”
  105. Alert: Milbank Announces Salary Scale Increases To Kick Off The New Year, Above the Law (Joe Patrice), 2022-01-20 — “$10K raises for the four most junior classes ... $20K raises for the mid-levels and seniors ... will be retroactive to January 1.”
  106. Milbank smashes the associate pay scale with yet another raise, ABA Journal (Debra Cassens Weiss), 2022-01-20 — “Class of 2021: $215,000 (up from $205,000) ... Class of 2014 and beyond: $385,000 (up from $365,000)”
  107. BREAKING: Cravath Finally Makes Its Compensation Move, Coming Over The Top Of Market Raises!, Above the Law (Kathryn Rubino), 2022-02-28 — “Class of 2021: $215,000 ($215,000) ... Class of 2014: $415,000 ($396,500) $18,500 more ... The increases are retroactive to January 1.”
  108. After Davis Polk sets new bar for associate raises, Cravath ups the ante, ABA Journal (Debra Cassens Weiss), 2022-03-01 — “Cravath $215,000–$415,000; Davis Polk $215,000–$396,500; Milbank $215,000–$385,000 [ranges as read]; Davis Polk announced Feb. 22, Cravath Feb. 28”
  109. Surpassed as associate pay leader, Davis Polk matches Cravath as other firms join in, ABA Journal (Debra Cassens Weiss), 2022-03-07 — “Days later, on March 3, Davis Polk announced that it, too, is matching Cravath, which is paying up to $415,000”
  110. Is All Hope Lost For Biglaw Special Bonuses This Summer?, Above the Law, 2022-08 — “[Not read in full; search-result description] Davis Polk had not acted and Cravath had stayed silent on special bonuses that summer.”
  111. Cravath Speaketh: Year-End Bonuses Announced!, Above the Law (Kathryn Rubino), reproducing the Cravath memo, 2022-11-29 — “Transcribed from memo image: Class 2022 Year-End $15,000 (pro-rated) 2023 Base $215,000 ... 2016 $105,000 $400,000. Text: 'the class of 2015 is off the scale'”
  112. Cravath mostly matches Baker McKenzie bonuses; what about the class of 2015?, ABA Journal (Debra Cassens Weiss), 2022-11-30 — “Its scale ranges from $20,000 for the class of 2021 to $115,000 for the class of 2015 and over ... the firm doesn't list a bonus for eighth-year associates in the class of 2015 and beyond”
  113. Cravath Rolls Out Associate Bonuses, Matching Last Year's Scale, Bloomberg Law (Meghan Tribe), 2022-11-30 (subscription) — “seniority-based bonuses ranging from $15,000 for newer lawyers to $105,000 for those in the class of 2016 ... The extra payments will be made on Dec. 16”
  114. In 'a bold move,' Milbank announces associates will get raises along with bonuses, ABA Journal (Debra Cassens Weiss), 2023-11-07 — “Class of 2023: $225,000 base pay and a $15,000 bonus ... Class of 2016: $425,000 base pay and a $115,000 bonus”
  115. Cravath Announces Raises - Comes Over The Top Of Milbank Scale (For Some Associates), Above the Law (Kathryn Rubino), 2023-11-28 — “Raises are effective January 1. [Table as read: 2023 $225,000 ... 2017 $420,000; bonuses 2023 $15,000 ... 2017 $105,000]”
  116. Cravath finally announces associate raises, and they partly surpass Milbank scale, ABA Journal (Debra Cassens Weiss), 2023-11-28 — “Class of 2020: $310,000 pay ($5,000 more than Milbank), $57,500 bonus ... Class of 2017: $420,000 pay ($10,000 more than Milbank), $105,000 bonus ... Bonuses will be paid Dec. 15”
  117. Not to be outdone, first-mover Milbank increases its raises for some associates, ABA Journal (Debra Cassens Weiss), 2023-12-06 — “Class of 2020: $305,000 initially, $310,000 revised ... Class of 2016, $425,000 initially, $435,000 revised”
  118. Above the Law, Above the Law, 2023-12-01 — “Davis Polk: Class of 2016+: $115K ... Proskauer: Class of 2015: $115K ... Cahill: Class of 2015: $115K ... Sidley: Class of 2015+: $115K”
  119. Above the Law, Above the Law, 2023-10-16 — “2023: $2,120 ... 2022: $2,826 ... 2016 and more senior: $16,251 (2000–2099 hours; up to $32,908 at 2700+ hours)”
  120. BigLaw bonus leader makes announcement that will please associates, ABA Journal (Debra Cassens Weiss), 2024-08-08 — “Class of 2024: $6,000 ... Class of 2022: $10,000 ... Class of 2016 and more senior classes: $25,000 ... paid to associates in good standing on Sept. 30”
  121. Taking the BigLaw lead, Milbank announces year-end bonuses, ABA Journal (Debra Cassens Weiss), 2024-11-12 — “They will be paid by Dec. 31 ... Milbank is the only BigLaw firm that also paid summer bonuses this year.”
  122. More BigLaw firms match Milbank's year-end and special bonuses for associates, make no mention of pay hikes, ABA Journal (Debra Cassens Weiss), 2024-11-20 — “[Table as read] 2023: $20,000 year-end, $6,000 special ... 2016 and higher: $115,000, $25,000, $140,000; matchers: Cravath (the first to match), Paul Hastings, McDermott ...”
  123. Associate Compensation Scorecard: Biglaw's 2024 Bonus Boom, Above the Law, 2024-12 — “Cravath ... November 19, 2024 ... Class of 2024: $15K / $6K (prorated) ... Class of 2017: $115K / $25K”
  124. This BigLaw firm will pay summer bonuses of up to $25K, ABA Journal (Debra Cassens Weiss), 2025-08-07 — “Class of 2025: $6,000 ... Class of 2023: $10,000 ... Class of 2017 and beyond: $25,000 ... by Sept. 30”
  125. Milbank Moves On Summer Bonuses While Biglaw Firms Stall On Matching, Above the Law (Staci Zaretsky), 2025-09-03 — “[Biglaw] has more or less ignored the firm's announcement.”
  126. Cravath Doles Out Associate Bonuses Ranging Up to $140,000, Bloomberg Law (Tatyana Monnay), 2025-11-18 (subscription) — “starting at $20,000 for first-year associates and ranging up to $115,000 ... special bonuses ... $6,000 to $25,000, matching those Milbank LLP rolled out in August”
  127. Cravath kicks off associate bonus season and other firms follow, ABA Journal (Debra Cassens Weiss), 2025-11-19 — “Class of 2025: $15,000 year-end, $6,000 special, $21,000 total (prorated) ... Class of 2018: $115,000 year-end, $25,000 special, $140,000 total”
  128. Milbank announces bonuses; did it beat Cravath?, ABA Journal (Debra Cassens Weiss), 2025-11-25 — “Milbank is matching the year-end bonus standard set by Cravath”
  129. Above the Law, Above the Law, 2025-11-26 — “Milbank: Class of 2017: $115K / $25K (paid 9/25) ... Cravath: Class of 2018: $115K / $25K”
  130. ALERT: Milbank Does It Again - Associate Salaries Are Going Up!!!, Above the Law (Kathryn Rubino), 2026-06-02 — “Raises range from $10,000 to $20,000 depending on class year ... The new scale is effective July 1, 2026.”
  131. Memorandum to Associates (2026 salary announcement), Milbank LLP (memo to associates, signed Scott A. Edelman), hosted by Above the Law, 2026-06-02 — “base salary increases for associates, effective July 1, 2026 ... 2026/2025 $225,000 $10,000 $235,000 ... 2018 $435,000 $20,000 $455,000”
  132. Milbank, McDermott Raise Associate Salaries Up to $455,000, Bloomberg Law, 2026-06-02 (subscription) — “Milbank upped its associate salaries by $10,000 to $20,000, depending on seniority ... The firm's associate pay scale will now range from $235,000 to $455,000. McDermott was the first to say it would match”
  133. Associate Compensation Scorecard: The 2026 Summer Of Salary Increases, Above the Law, 2026-06-05 (entries through 2026-09-24) — “[Table as read] McDermott June 2; Quinn Emanuel June 4; Sullivan & Cromwell June 26 ... Desmarais June 10: $255K for Class of 2026; Cahill Gordon & Reindel September 24: Class of 2025 $6K; Class of 2018 $25K”
  134. Summer Surprise: Milbank Announces Special Bonuses Up To $25K, Above the Law (Staci Zaretsky), reproducing the Milbank scale, 2026-07-27 — “Transcribed from memo image: Class of 2026 $6,000; Class of 2025 $6,000; Class of 2024 $10,000; Class of 2023 $15,000; Class of 2022 $20,000; Class of 2021 $25,000 ... Class of 2018 and more senior $25,000; Special Counsel $25,000”
  135. Milbank gives associates bonuses after raising their salaries, ABA Journal, 2026-07-28 — “from $6,000 for the class of 2026 to $25,000 for the class of 2021 and beyond ... on or before Aug. 31”
  136. The Wait Is Over: Biglaw's First Milbank Special Bonus Match Is Finally Here, Above the Law (Staci Zaretsky), reproducing the Cahill scale, 2026-09-25 — “Transcribed from image: Class Year 2025 Bonus $6,000; 2024 $10,000; 2023 $15,000; 2022 $20,000; 2021-2018 $25,000. Text: 'Special bonuses at the firm are set to be paid out on October 15.'”
  137. Law Firm Associate Bonus Trends to Watch in 2026, JD Journal, 2026-10-13 — “As of October 13, 2026, no new year-end bonus scale has been confirmed across BigLaw.”
  138. The Salary Wars Have Begun: First Firm Matches New Biglaw Pay Scale, Above the Law, 2026-06 — “Class of 2026/2025: $235,000 Class of 2024: $245,000 Class of 2023: $270,000 Class of 2022: $320,000 Class of 2021: $385,000 Class of 2020: $410,000 Class of 2019: $440,000 Class of 2018: $455,000”
  139. After Raising Associate Salaries, Milbank Announces Summer Bonuses, TaxProf Blog (AALS), 2026-08-01 — “Milbank 2026 Special Summer Bonuses Class Year Special Bonus 2026/2025 $6,000 2024 $10,000 2023 $15,000 2022 $20,000 2021 and earlier $25,000”