Kirkland Bonuses? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Are some folks still annualizing 3400-3500 hrs like last year? Thoughts on the expected multiplier this year for 3400-3500….

Things have slowed down a lot this year (thankfully). If you are on that pace, its all on you and bonuses will not be bigger this year than last (since last year was historically busy and our numbers are down by a wide margin from the same period last year).

How much are numbers down, pls share

We’re still rich AF and very busy, but so far not quite as insane as last year (which even firm leadership says is a good thing).

[Anonymous User]

Are some folks still annualizing 3400-3500 hrs like last year? Thoughts on the expected multiplier this year for 3400-3500….

Things have slowed down a lot this year (thankfully). If you are on that pace, its all on you and bonuses will not be bigger this year than last (since last year was historically busy and our numbers are down by a wide margin from the same period last year).

How much are numbers down, pls share

We’re still rich AF and very busy, but so far not quite as insane as last year (which even firm leadership says is a good thing).

They say it's a "good thing" until they realize the Kirkland machine is premised on sustained aggressive YoY growth. When that stops this party is going to stop. K&E has become like a publicly traded company in this regard, which is nuts and I don't envy Ballis.

[Sackboy]

They say it's a "good thing" until they realize the Kirkland machine is premised on sustained aggressive YoY growth. When that stops this party is going to stop. K&E has become like a publicly traded company in this regard, which is nuts and I don't envy Ballis.

I think as along as PPP doesn't see a major decline, folks will be happy enough. Also, PPP is all relative to your peers. If you made $4M last year but $3M last year and your comp would have been similar at all of the other V10, you just shrug and hope next year is better.

[Anonymous User]

What will the multiple be for 2200 this year? 3 rating

[Anonymous User]

Are some folks still annualizing 3400-3500 hrs like last year? Thoughts on the expected multiplier this year for 3400-3500….

Things have slowed down a lot this year (thankfully). If you are on that pace, its all on you and bonuses will not be bigger this year than last (since last year was historically busy and our numbers are down by a wide margin from the same period last year).

How much are numbers down, pls share

We’re still rich AF and very busy, but so far not quite as insane as last year (which even firm leadership says is a good thing).

They say it's a "good thing" until they realize the Kirkland machine is premised on sustained aggressive YoY growth. When that stops this party is going to stop. K&E has become like a publicly traded company in this regard, which is nuts and I don't envy Ballis.

In what respect is the Kirkland machine premised on sustained aggressive YoY growth?

Why would the “party” “stop” if Kirkland simply settles in as a top 2-5 PPP leader?

Skadden was able to transition smoothly from two decades of enormous growth from a second tier firm for white shoe castoffs into full time membership of the V10 without any issues, so I’d be interested to hear why you think Kirkland will be different.

[Anonymous User]

What will the multiple be for 2200 this year? 3 rating

I got 1.15 last year for 2150 hours.

[Anonymous User]

What will the multiple be for 2200 this year? 3 rating

1.01x multiplier and a hand-written card from Ballis that says "keep up the good work, kid."

[Anonymous User]

Does Kirkland still not give class credit for clerkships, or have they changed?

[Anonymous User]

Does Kirkland still not give class credit for clerkships, or have they changed?

They generally do, but not always. Anecdotal example: I clerked on a federal court and entered the Kirkland litigation group; I got class credit. My co-clerk came to Kirkland at the same time as me and joined a transactional practice; she did not get class credit (but she still got a clerkship bonus).

[Anonymous User]

Does Kirkland still not give class credit for clerkships, or have they changed?

They generally do, but not always. Anecdotal example: I clerked on a federal court and entered the Kirkland litigation group; I got class credit. My co-clerk came to Kirkland at the same time as me and joined a transactional practice; she did not get class credit (but she still got a clerkship bonus).

It’s totally office and group dependent. At my office, all litigators get clerkship bonus and class credit. Transactional attorneys get zero bonus and zero class credit. But I know of at least one other office where transactional gets both. And from the comment above it sounds like there is an office where you get the bonus, but not class credit.

[Joachim2017]

Does Kirkland still not give class credit for clerkships, or have they changed?

They generally do, but not always. Anecdotal example: I clerked on a federal court and entered the Kirkland litigation group; I got class credit. My co-clerk came to Kirkland at the same time as me and joined a transactional practice; she did not get class credit (but she still got a clerkship bonus).

It’s totally office and group dependent. At my office, all litigators get clerkship bonus and class credit. Transactional attorneys get zero bonus and zero class credit. But I know of at least one other office where transactional gets both. And from the comment above it sounds like there is an office where you get the bonus, but not class credit.

I understand not getting class credit for a clerkship if you're going into transactional, but no bonus either? At Kirkland? Surprising.

[Anonymous User]

Does Kirkland still not give class credit for clerkships, or have they changed?

They generally do, but not always. Anecdotal example: I clerked on a federal court and entered the Kirkland litigation group; I got class credit. My co-clerk came to Kirkland at the same time as me and joined a transactional practice; she did not get class credit (but she still got a clerkship bonus).

It’s totally office and group dependent. At my office, all litigators get clerkship bonus and class credit. Transactional attorneys get zero bonus and zero class credit. But I know of at least one other office where transactional gets both. And from the comment above it sounds like there is an office where you get the bonus, but not class credit.

I understand not getting class credit for a clerkship if you're going into transactional, but no bonus either? At Kirkland? Surprising.

Can anyone advise as to how much the clerkship bonus is and how long you have to stay at the firm to keep the bonus? Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

Does Kirkland still not give class credit for clerkships, or have they changed?

They generally do, but not always. Anecdotal example: I clerked on a federal court and entered the Kirkland litigation group; I got class credit. My co-clerk came to Kirkland at the same time as me and joined a transactional practice; she did not get class credit (but she still got a clerkship bonus).

It’s totally office and group dependent. At my office, all litigators get clerkship bonus and class credit. Transactional attorneys get zero bonus and zero class credit. But I know of at least one other office where transactional gets both. And from the comment above it sounds like there is an office where you get the bonus, but not class credit.

I understand not getting class credit for a clerkship if you're going into transactional, but no bonus either? At Kirkland? Surprising.

Can anyone advise as to how much the clerkship bonus is and how long you have to stay at the firm to keep the bonus? Thanks!

For one clerkship on a fed district court, fed COA, or state Supreme Court, $50k and it’s a one year clawback with monthly vesting (i.e. 1/12th of the clawback is wiped out for each month you’re employed). You get it with your first paycheck.

[Anonymous User]

Does Kirkland still not give class credit for clerkships, or have they changed?

They generally do, but not always. Anecdotal example: I clerked on a federal court and entered the Kirkland litigation group; I got class credit. My co-clerk came to Kirkland at the same time as me and joined a transactional practice; she did not get class credit (but she still got a clerkship bonus).

It’s totally office and group dependent. At my office, all litigators get clerkship bonus and class credit. Transactional attorneys get zero bonus and zero class credit. But I know of at least one other office where transactional gets both. And from the comment above it sounds like there is an office where you get the bonus, but not class credit.

I understand not getting class credit for a clerkship if you're going into transactional, but no bonus either? At Kirkland? Surprising.

Can anyone advise as to how much the clerkship bonus is and how long you have to stay at the firm to keep the bonus? Thanks!

For one clerkship on a fed district court, fed COA, or state Supreme Court, $50k and it’s a one year clawback with monthly vesting (i.e. 1/12th of the clawback is wiped out for each month you’re employed). You get it with your first paycheck.

Thank you!

[Anonymous User]

Does Kirkland still not give class credit for clerkships, or have they changed?

They generally do, but not always. Anecdotal example: I clerked on a federal court and entered the Kirkland litigation group; I got class credit. My co-clerk came to Kirkland at the same time as me and joined a transactional practice; she did not get class credit (but she still got a clerkship bonus).

It’s totally office and group dependent. At my office, all litigators get clerkship bonus and class credit. Transactional attorneys get zero bonus and zero class credit. But I know of at least one other office where transactional gets both. And from the comment above it sounds like there is an office where you get the bonus, but not class credit.

I understand not getting class credit for a clerkship if you're going into transactional, but no bonus either? At Kirkland? Surprising.

Can anyone advise as to how much the clerkship bonus is and how long you have to stay at the firm to keep the bonus? Thanks!

For one clerkship on a fed district court, fed COA, or state Supreme Court, $50k and it’s a one year clawback with monthly vesting (i.e. 1/12th of the clawback is wiped out for each month you’re employed). You get it with your first paycheck.

Thank you!

Does Kirkland pay for moving expenses/costs to relocate from clerking city to office city? Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

They generally do, but not always. Anecdotal example: I clerked on a federal court and entered the Kirkland litigation group; I got class credit. My co-clerk came to Kirkland at the same time as me and joined a transactional practice; she did not get class credit (but she still got a clerkship bonus).

It’s totally office and group dependent. At my office, all litigators get clerkship bonus and class credit. Transactional attorneys get zero bonus and zero class credit. But I know of at least one other office where transactional gets both. And from the comment above it sounds like there is an office where you get the bonus, but not class credit.

I understand not getting class credit for a clerkship if you're going into transactional, but no bonus either? At Kirkland? Surprising.

Can anyone advise as to how much the clerkship bonus is and how long you have to stay at the firm to keep the bonus? Thanks!

For one clerkship on a fed district court, fed COA, or state Supreme Court, $50k and it’s a one year clawback with monthly vesting (i.e. 1/12th of the clawback is wiped out for each month you’re employed). You get it with your first paycheck.

Thank you!

Does Kirkland pay for moving expenses/costs to relocate from clerking city to office city? Thanks!

Yes and they are quite generous. They'll pay for a trip up (flight, hotel) for you to scout houses/apartments with a realtor that they set you up with, then for the move they pay for full-service movers to show up, pack everything, ship it - and store it for some time period I forget, if necessary - deliver it, and unpack it all on arrival. And also for your flight or drive from clerking city to office city.

[Anonymous User]

Any insights on the Miami office? Signing bonuses / incentives?

[Anonymous User]

Any insights on the Miami office? Signing bonuses / incentives?

Interested in the same.

[Anonymous User]

Bringing this back alive in anticipation of the market shattering bonuses. Billable year is from Sept 1 to Aug 31 yes?

[Anonymous User]

Bringing this back alive in anticipation of the market shattering bonuses. Billable year is from Sept 1 to Aug 31 yes?

Yes that's the billable year. Bonuses will play out as per this: viewtopic.php?f=23&t=312087&start=675#p10536174

Thank

[Anonymous User]

Would someone remind me what the significance of the 2000-hour line was last year?

Is that the level where people got above market or did people with fewer hours get below market?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone under 2k just got the market bonus + special bonus without any additional KE multiplier.

[Anonymous User]

For anyone that was a 4th year with a 2 rating last year and 2,200+ hours, what did your multiplier look like? Wondering how much of an effect an above-class rating has on bonus.

[Anonymous User]

For anyone that was a 4th year with a 2 rating last year and 2,200+ hours, what did your multiplier look like? Wondering how much of an effect an above-class rating has on bonus.

Huge effect. Ballis will come to your office with a bottle of mid-tier "champagne" (it's sparkling wine) and personally thank you for your service to the firm in a prepared speech he reads from a piece of paper given to him by Steinmetz. Thanks for the great question.

[Anonymous User]

For anyone that was a 4th year with a 2 rating last year and 2,200+ hours, what did your multiplier look like? Wondering how much of an effect an above-class rating has on bonus.

Huge effect. Ballis will come to your office with a bottle of mid-tier "champagne" (it's sparkling wine) and personally thank you for your service to the firm in a prepared speech he reads from a piece of paper given to him by Steinmetz. Thanks for the great question.

Personally, I’d like to thank you for your contribution to the firm. You did a really good job and I hope Jonny rewards you for it.