Large Firm

BigLaw is taking an ‘uneven approach’ to bonuses

Several BigLaw firms have yet to announce bonuses, while others are refusing to follow the standard bonus schedule set by Milbank.

Dec 23, 2024 12:11 PM CST

Our favorite Instagram posts from 2024

It's been another riveting year in the legal industry and for our coverage at the ABA Journal. And like clockwork, 2025 will be here before we know it.

Dec 23, 2024 10:34 AM CST

Dive into our favorite long reads of 2024

The end of the year will hopefully bring you some downtime for leisure reading. We’ve curated a list of some of our favorite web and print long reads from 2024.

Dec 23, 2024 9:35 AM CST

2 BigLaw firms reject routine special bonuses as several boutiques match or surpass market rate

Above the Law’s bonus tracker continues to expand, as an increasing number of boutique law firms announce associate bonuses that match or surpass market rates set by Milbank. But some BigLaw firms are not falling in line with the standard special bonuses.

Dec 19, 2024 11:00 AM CST

Jones Day has hired nearly 100 SCOTUS clerks in a dozen years; how many are in this year’s class?

Jones Day has hired 10 former U.S. Supreme Court law clerks from the October 2023 term, adding to an “already-deep bench of talent,” according to Noel Francisco, the partner in charge of the law firm's Washington, D.C., office and a former U.S. solicitor general.

Dec 12, 2024 12:43 PM CST

Associates at this BigLaw firm can choose one of 3 billable-hour budgets

Steptoe is adopting a new compensation system next year that allows associates to choose one of three different tracks based on hourly targets.

Dec 9, 2024 3:19 PM CST

Muslim lawyer can’t sue over revoked BigLaw job offer based on this theory, federal judge rules

A federal judge in Chicago has tossed a promissory estoppel claim in a Muslim lawyer’s lawsuit against Foley & Lardner for revoking her associate job offer after learning of her comments about Israel and Gaza.

Dec 4, 2024 12:23 PM CST

Overall partner promotions shrink slightly, including for BigLaw firm that promoted 200 lawyers

A slightly lower number of partner promotions this year by Kirkland & Ellis is in keeping with the trend; new-partner class sizes in BigLaw have decreased an average of 4% this year, based on partnership announcements so far.

Dec 3, 2024 8:56 AM CST

BigLaw firms pile on bonus bandwagon led by Milbank, and some offer more to top associates

Updated: By Thursday morning, more than 30 law firms had matched Milbank’s year-end bonuses and announced special bonuses on par with Milbank’s summer bonuses, according to bonus announcements obtained by Above the Law.

Dec 2, 2024 12:17 PM CST

3 practice leaders left this BigLaw firm in 1 week’s time; ‘there are no safe havens,’ says recruiting firm partner

Three practice leaders have left Weil, Gotshal & Manges amid planning for a new chair and a flat year for profits per equity partner.

Nov 26, 2024 10:42 AM CST

Judge denies bid by former Duane Morris partner to stop his wife’s funeral

A Chicago judge on Wednesday denied a former Duane Morris partner’s emergency motion to stop his deceased wife’s parents from holding her funeral, so that he can obtain her remains.

Nov 21, 2024 10:51 AM CST

Law firms had ‘very strong performance’ financially at 9-month point, new report says

Law firm revenue in the first nine months of 2024 increased 12.8% from the same period last year, thanks mostly to increases in standard billing rates, according to a new report by Wells Fargo’s Legal Specialty Group.

Nov 20, 2024 12:22 PM CST

More BigLaw firms match Milbank’s year-end and special bonuses for associates, make no mention of pay hikes

Updated: Associates at several BigLaw firms will be getting year-end and special bonuses that total $21,000 to $140,000, the amount being paid by Milbank.

Nov 20, 2024 10:12 AM CST

RNC election lawyer, a ‘very genial guy,’ will be new White House counsel

The White House counsel in the new Trump administration is a former BigLaw lawyer who worked as the Republican National Committee’s outside counsel for election integrity in the 2024 presidential campaign.

Nov 13, 2024 11:24 AM CST

Judge gives final OK to $8M settlement in Orrick data breach

A federal judge in California approved an $8 million settlement Friday in consolidated cases brought against Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe over a 2023 data breach that may have compromised the personal information of more than 638,000 people.

Nov 12, 2024 1:51 PM CST