2021 End of Year Bonuses Forum

[Anonymous User]

First announcement will come Tuesday the 16th. You heard it here first.

Is this a sick joke, pure speculation, or a legit insider scoop?

Why would you think those are the only 3 options?

Probably because there aren't any other meaningful options...

[objctnyrhnr]

So is this gonna be the week?

[Ultramar vistas]

So is this gonna be the week?

Seems probable.

[Anonymous User]

So is this gonna be the week?

For the sake of my sanity and general well-being, it has to be.

[Anonymous User]

We need to get this party started or I'm going to just stop working I've had enough. DPW, Milbank, or Cravath, please take a break from counting your piles of money and move this week. Here's the scale, copy and paste this and everyone can have a happy holiday and we promise to keep working very hard for another year.

* Class of 2021: Base: $22,500 (pro-rated); COVID supplement: $11,500 (pro-rated); total: $34,000 (pro-rated)
* Class of 2020: Base: $22,500; COVID supplement: $11,500; total: $34,000
* Class of 2019: Base: $37,500; COVID supplement: $15,000; total: $52,500
* Class of 2018: Base: $75,000; COVID supplement: $30,000; total: $105,000
* Class of 2017: Base: $98,000; COVID supplement: $42,000; total: $140,000
* Class of 2016: Base: $120,000; COVID supplement: $50,000; total: $170,000
* Class of 2015: Base: $135,000; COVID supplement: $55,000; total: $190,000
* Class of 2014 and above: Base: $150,000; COVID supplement: $60,000; total: $210,000

Also, "the Firm expects to continue to reward the dedicated efforts of its attorneys in the coming year during this extraordinary time, including through additional bonuses in the spring, details of which will be announced in the first quarter 2022."

ty xoxo

[Anonymous User]

I am literally in a firm wide meeting right now and this partner is bragging about how much money the firm is making because of the increased hours. Wow thanks, I'm glad I'm making money for you.

[Anon-non-anon]

I am literally in a firm wide meeting right now and this partner is bragging about how much money the firm is making because of the increased hours. Wow thanks, I'm glad I'm making money for you.

Ask about bonuses

[Anonymous User]

Do non-market firms (WLRK, elite boutiques) send out bonus memos on the same timetable as market BL firms? Do they always wait to see what market is first? Just curious.

[Anonymous User]

I am literally in a firm wide meeting right now and this partner is bragging about how much money the firm is making because of the increased hours. Wow thanks, I'm glad I'm making money for you.

Ask about bonuses

It's a zoom meeting with no questions, just partners droning at us. Most tone deaf meeting I've been in at least a month. I'll try to get the message across to a friendly partner after.

[Anon-non-anon]

I am literally in a firm wide meeting right now and this partner is bragging about how much money the firm is making because of the increased hours. Wow thanks, I'm glad I'm making money for you.

Ask about bonuses

It's a zoom meeting with no questions, just partners droning at us. Most tone deaf meeting I've been in at least a month. I'll try to get the message across to a friendly partner after.

Cool cool, bring up the market scale discussed above:

* Class of 2021: Base: $22,500 (pro-rated); COVID supplement: $11,500 (pro-rated); total: $34,000 (pro-rated)
* Class of 2020: Base: $22,500; COVID supplement: $11,500; total: $34,000
* Class of 2019: Base: $37,500; COVID supplement: $15,000; total: $52,500
* Class of 2018: Base: $75,000; COVID supplement: $30,000; total: $105,000
* Class of 2017: Base: $98,000; COVID supplement: $42,000; total: $140,000
* Class of 2016: Base: $120,000; COVID supplement: $50,000; total: $170,000
* Class of 2015: Base: $135,000; COVID supplement: $55,000; total: $190,000
* Class of 2014 and above: Base: $150,000; COVID supplement: $60,000; total: $210,000

[Anonymous User]

I am literally in a firm wide meeting right now and this partner is bragging about how much money the firm is making because of the increased hours. Wow thanks, I'm glad I'm making money for you.

Ask about bonuses

It's a zoom meeting with no questions, just partners droning at us. Most tone deaf meeting I've been in at least a month. I'll try to get the message across to a friendly partner after.

Cool cool, bring up the market scale discussed above:

* Class of 2021: Base: $22,500 (pro-rated); COVID supplement: $11,500 (pro-rated); total: $34,000 (pro-rated)
* Class of 2020: Base: $22,500; COVID supplement: $11,500; total: $34,000
* Class of 2019: Base: $37,500; COVID supplement: $15,000; total: $52,500
* Class of 2018: Base: $75,000; COVID supplement: $30,000; total: $105,000
* Class of 2017: Base: $98,000; COVID supplement: $42,000; total: $140,000
* Class of 2016: Base: $120,000; COVID supplement: $50,000; total: $170,000
* Class of 2015: Base: $135,000; COVID supplement: $55,000; total: $190,000
* Class of 2014 and above: Base: $150,000; COVID supplement: $60,000; total: $210,000

Slight mod to this just to give rounder figures for a few of the class years and I literally think they could go to press with it (plus the spring bonus promise):

* Class of 2021: Base: $22,500 (pro-rated); COVID supplement: $12,500 (pro-rated); total: $35,000 (pro-rated)
* Class of 2020: Base: $22,500; COVID supplement: $12,500; total: $35,000
* Class of 2019: Base: $37,500; COVID supplement: $15,000; total: $52,500
* Class of 2018: Base: $75,000; COVID supplement: $30,000; total: $105,000
* Class of 2017: Base: $100,000; COVID supplement: $40,000; total: $140,000
* Class of 2016: Base: $120,000; COVID supplement: $50,000; total: $170,000
* Class of 2015: Base: $135,000; COVID supplement: $55,000; total: $190,000
* Class of 2014 and above: Base: $150,000; COVID supplement: $60,000; total: $210,000

[Anonymous User]

Do non-market firms (WLRK, elite boutiques) send out bonus memos on the same timetable as market BL firms? Do they always wait to see what market is first? Just curious.

Kinda off topic, but is Wachtell still doing 100% of base salary? Also, is that limited to their corporate department? I don’t believe their litigators are working the same amount as corporate lawyers.

[Anonymous User]

Do non-market firms (WLRK, elite boutiques) send out bonus memos on the same timetable as market BL firms? Do they always wait to see what market is first? Just curious.

Kinda off topic, but is Wachtell still doing 100% of base salary? Also, is that limited to their corporate department? I don’t believe their litigators are working the same amount as corporate lawyers.

Current WLRK associate — bonuses have been 100% since at least 2014, not limited by department.

[Anonymous User]

Do non-market firms (WLRK, elite boutiques) send out bonus memos on the same timetable as market BL firms? Do they always wait to see what market is first? Just curious.

Kinda off topic, but is Wachtell still doing 100% of base salary? Also, is that limited to their corporate department? I don’t believe their litigators are working the same amount as corporate lawyers.

Current WLRK associate — bonuses have been 100% since at least 2014, not limited by department.

Wow. Is the firm taking any laterals?

[UncleKirk]

Do non-market firms (WLRK, elite boutiques) send out bonus memos on the same timetable as market BL firms? Do they always wait to see what market is first? Just curious.

Kinda off topic, but is Wachtell still doing 100% of base salary? Also, is that limited to their corporate department? I don’t believe their litigators are working the same amount as corporate lawyers.

Current WLRK associate — bonuses have been 100% since at least 2014, not limited by department.

Wow. Is the firm taking any laterals?

Ready to work 80 hours a week?

[UncleKirk]

Do non-market firms (WLRK, elite boutiques) send out bonus memos on the same timetable as market BL firms? Do they always wait to see what market is first? Just curious.

Kinda off topic, but is Wachtell still doing 100% of base salary? Also, is that limited to their corporate department? I don’t believe their litigators are working the same amount as corporate lawyers.

Current WLRK associate — bonuses have been 100% since at least 2014, not limited by department.

Wow. Is the firm taking any laterals?

Ready to work 80 hours a week?

[Anonymous User]

Calling it: no end of year bonuses. The brass at the top shops are going to say fuck the associates and keep all the COVID blood-diamond extra profits this year for the partners. Firms will provide a holiday gift to associates in lieu thereof in the form of Starbuxx points and Gold memberships. Firms will also send 1099s to the IRS for the cash value of the points and fail to provide the associates a copy so everyone is at risk of audit after doing taxes next year.

[glitched]

I am literally in a firm wide meeting right now and this partner is bragging about how much money the firm is making because of the increased hours. Wow thanks, I'm glad I'm making money for you.

Ask about bonuses

It's a zoom meeting with no questions, just partners droning at us. Most tone deaf meeting I've been in at least a month. I'll try to get the message across to a friendly partner after.

Cool cool, bring up the market scale discussed above:

* Class of 2021: Base: $22,500 (pro-rated); COVID supplement: $11,500 (pro-rated); total: $34,000 (pro-rated)
* Class of 2020: Base: $22,500; COVID supplement: $11,500; total: $34,000
* Class of 2019: Base: $37,500; COVID supplement: $15,000; total: $52,500
* Class of 2018: Base: $75,000; COVID supplement: $30,000; total: $105,000
* Class of 2017: Base: $98,000; COVID supplement: $42,000; total: $140,000
* Class of 2016: Base: $120,000; COVID supplement: $50,000; total: $170,000
* Class of 2015: Base: $135,000; COVID supplement: $55,000; total: $190,000
* Class of 2014 and above: Base: $150,000; COVID supplement: $60,000; total: $210,000

Slight mod to this just to give rounder figures for a few of the class years and I literally think they could go to press with it (plus the spring bonus promise):

* Class of 2021: Base: $22,500 (pro-rated); COVID supplement: $12,500 (pro-rated); total: $35,000 (pro-rated)
* Class of 2020: Base: $22,500; COVID supplement: $12,500; total: $35,000
* Class of 2019: Base: $37,500; COVID supplement: $15,000; total: $52,500
* Class of 2018: Base: $75,000; COVID supplement: $30,000; total: $105,000
* Class of 2017: Base: $100,000; COVID supplement: $40,000; total: $140,000
* Class of 2016: Base: $120,000; COVID supplement: $50,000; total: $170,000
* Class of 2015: Base: $135,000; COVID supplement: $55,000; total: $190,000
* Class of 2014 and above: Base: $150,000; COVID supplement: $60,000; total: $210,000

If this happens, I'm definitely buying an Apple watch.

[Ultramar vistas]

I am literally in a firm wide meeting right now and this partner is bragging about how much money the firm is making because of the increased hours. Wow thanks, I'm glad I'm making money for you.

Ask about bonuses

It's a zoom meeting with no questions, just partners droning at us. Most tone deaf meeting I've been in at least a month. I'll try to get the message across to a friendly partner after.

Cool cool, bring up the market scale discussed above:

* Class of 2021: Base: $22,500 (pro-rated); COVID supplement: $11,500 (pro-rated); total: $34,000 (pro-rated)
* Class of 2020: Base: $22,500; COVID supplement: $11,500; total: $34,000
* Class of 2019: Base: $37,500; COVID supplement: $15,000; total: $52,500
* Class of 2018: Base: $75,000; COVID supplement: $30,000; total: $105,000
* Class of 2017: Base: $98,000; COVID supplement: $42,000; total: $140,000
* Class of 2016: Base: $120,000; COVID supplement: $50,000; total: $170,000
* Class of 2015: Base: $135,000; COVID supplement: $55,000; total: $190,000
* Class of 2014 and above: Base: $150,000; COVID supplement: $60,000; total: $210,000

Slight mod to this just to give rounder figures for a few of the class years and I literally think they could go to press with it (plus the spring bonus promise):

* Class of 2021: Base: $22,500 (pro-rated); COVID supplement: $12,500 (pro-rated); total: $35,000 (pro-rated)
* Class of 2020: Base: $22,500; COVID supplement: $12,500; total: $35,000
* Class of 2019: Base: $37,500; COVID supplement: $15,000; total: $52,500
* Class of 2018: Base: $75,000; COVID supplement: $30,000; total: $105,000
* Class of 2017: Base: $100,000; COVID supplement: $40,000; total: $140,000
* Class of 2016: Base: $120,000; COVID supplement: $50,000; total: $170,000
* Class of 2015: Base: $135,000; COVID supplement: $55,000; total: $190,000
* Class of 2014 and above: Base: $150,000; COVID supplement: $60,000; total: $210,000

If this happens, I'm definitely buying an Apple watch.

The ratios on this scale don’t feel quite right.

It’s currently 15, 25, 50, 65, 80, 100.

Doubling the scale, which is what should happen to account for years of accumulated inflation plus the COVID profit share gets you to 30, 50, 100, 130, 160, 200.

Assuming that partnership doesn’t want to perma-bake a doubled scale and instead frames it as araise+COVID special, I think we see: 20+10, 35+15, 70+30, 90+40, 105+55, and 130+70.

[Anonymous User]

I am literally in a firm wide meeting right now and this partner is bragging about how much money the firm is making because of the increased hours. Wow thanks, I'm glad I'm making money for you.

Ask about bonuses

It's a zoom meeting with no questions, just partners droning at us. Most tone deaf meeting I've been in at least a month. I'll try to get the message across to a friendly partner after.

Cool cool, bring up the market scale discussed above:

* Class of 2021: Base: $22,500 (pro-rated); COVID supplement: $11,500 (pro-rated); total: $34,000 (pro-rated)
* Class of 2020: Base: $22,500; COVID supplement: $11,500; total: $34,000
* Class of 2019: Base: $37,500; COVID supplement: $15,000; total: $52,500
* Class of 2018: Base: $75,000; COVID supplement: $30,000; total: $105,000
* Class of 2017: Base: $98,000; COVID supplement: $42,000; total: $140,000
* Class of 2016: Base: $120,000; COVID supplement: $50,000; total: $170,000
* Class of 2015: Base: $135,000; COVID supplement: $55,000; total: $190,000
* Class of 2014 and above: Base: $150,000; COVID supplement: $60,000; total: $210,000

Slight mod to this just to give rounder figures for a few of the class years and I literally think they could go to press with it (plus the spring bonus promise):

* Class of 2021: Base: $22,500 (pro-rated); COVID supplement: $12,500 (pro-rated); total: $35,000 (pro-rated)
* Class of 2020: Base: $22,500; COVID supplement: $12,500; total: $35,000
* Class of 2019: Base: $37,500; COVID supplement: $15,000; total: $52,500
* Class of 2018: Base: $75,000; COVID supplement: $30,000; total: $105,000
* Class of 2017: Base: $100,000; COVID supplement: $40,000; total: $140,000
* Class of 2016: Base: $120,000; COVID supplement: $50,000; total: $170,000
* Class of 2015: Base: $135,000; COVID supplement: $55,000; total: $190,000
* Class of 2014 and above: Base: $150,000; COVID supplement: $60,000; total: $210,000

If this happens, I'm definitely buying an Apple watch.

Patek, Hublot, or go home.

[Anonymous User]

Boss gets a rolex, I get an apple watch, that's why I shitpost while clients are waiting for issues list

[glitched]

Patek, Hublot, or go home.

I want the 7 but I think I'll just go with the SE.

[Anonymous User]

WHERE. IS. MY. BONUSSSSSSSSS.

[Anonymous User]

Honestly think something like the below is a distinct possibility, slight increase to base with promise of some Spring/Summer special payouts.

* Class of 2021: Base: $20,000 (pro-rated); May 2022 Special Bonus: $10,000 (pro-rated); total: $30,000 (pro-rated)
* Class of 2020: Base: $20,000; May 2022 Special Bonus: $10,000; total: $30,000
* Class of 2019: Base: $30,000; May 2022 Special Bonus: $15,000; total: $45,000
* Class of 2018: Base: $60,000; May 2022 Special Bonus: $20,000; total: $80,000
* Class of 2017: Base: $75,000; May 2022 Special Bonus: $25,000; total: $100,000
* Class of 2016: Base: $90,000; May 2022 Special Bonus: $30,000; total: $120,000
* Class of 2015: Base: $100,000; May 2022 Special Bonus: $35,000; total: $135,000
* Class of 2014 and above: Base: $120,000; May 2022 Special Bonus: $40,000; total: $160,000

[Anonymous User]

Honestly think something like the below is a distinct possibility, slight increase to base with promise of some Spring/Summer special payouts.

* Class of 2021: Base: $20,000 (pro-rated); May 2022 Special Bonus: $10,000 (pro-rated); total: $30,000 (pro-rated)
* Class of 2020: Base: $20,000; May 2022 Special Bonus: $10,000; total: $30,000
* Class of 2019: Base: $30,000; May 2022 Special Bonus: $15,000; total: $45,000
* Class of 2018: Base: $60,000; May 2022 Special Bonus: $20,000; total: $80,000
* Class of 2017: Base: $75,000; May 2022 Special Bonus: $25,000; total: $100,000
* Class of 2016: Base: $90,000; May 2022 Special Bonus: $30,000; total: $120,000
* Class of 2015: Base: $100,000; May 2022 Special Bonus: $35,000; total: $135,000
* Class of 2014 and above: Base: $120,000; May 2022 Special Bonus: $40,000; total: $160,000

This would represent a cut in December bonuses for most people vs. 2020. (https://abovethelaw.com/2020/11/cravath-bonuses/) There's no way they're getting away with that. People would quit in droves. At a minimum they'll need to match what they did last year. Actually people would quit in droves if they just matched everyone knows the industry is making record profits.