H&K Compensation Forum

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have any info on Holland & Knight's compensation structure? Particularly interested in bonuses and bonus requirements. Thank you!!

[Anonymous User]

I know a few people who work there.

Bonuses are discretionary and range from 15k to 100k. So technically people can get market bonus. But I heard that bonuses are normally half of market for most, if they hit hours (again according to people I know). I think minimum is 1900, but bonus expectations are closer to 2000.

As for comp, I hear that it’s market for first years but quickly compresses. Someone I know is a seventh year and is at $280.

Anon because it’d be easy to identify these people if people know who I am.

[Anonymous User]

I know a few people who work there.

Bonuses are discretionary and range from 15k to 100k. So technically people can get market bonus. But I heard that bonuses are normally half of market for most, if they hit hours (again according to people I know). I think minimum is 1900, but bonus expectations are closer to 2000.

As for comp, I hear that it’s market for first years but quickly compresses. Someone I know is a seventh year and is at $280.

Anon because it’d be easy to identify these people if people know who I am.

For reference, how much less would I make a first/second/third year level associate there than at a firm that pays the full lockstep market and bonus scale?

[Anonymous User]

I know a few people who work there.

Bonuses are discretionary and range from 15k to 100k. So technically people can get market bonus. But I heard that bonuses are normally half of market for most, if they hit hours (again according to people I know). I think minimum is 1900, but bonus expectations are closer to 2000.

As for comp, I hear that it’s market for first years but quickly compresses. Someone I know is a seventh year and is at $280.

Anon because it’d be easy to identify these people if people know who I am.

For reference, how much less would I make a first/second/third year level associate there than at a firm that pays the full lockstep market and bonus scale?

I think the difference would be negligible for the first two years. I think H&K is market for the first two years. The only difference will be the bonus. Are you deciding between H&K and a firm that has a guaranteed market bonus?

[Anonymous User]

I know a few people who work there.

Bonuses are discretionary and range from 15k to 100k. So technically people can get market bonus. But I heard that bonuses are normally half of market for most, if they hit hours (again according to people I know). I think minimum is 1900, but bonus expectations are closer to 2000.

As for comp, I hear that it’s market for first years but quickly compresses. Someone I know is a seventh year and is at $280.

Anon because it’d be easy to identify these people if people know who I am.

For reference, how much less would I make a first/second/third year level associate there than at a firm that pays the full lockstep market and bonus scale?

I think the difference would be negligible for the first two years. I think H&K is market for the first two years. The only difference will be the bonus. Are you deciding between H&K and a firm that has a guaranteed market bonus?

Yes, the other firm is lockstep, including market bonuses (but it is also in NYC, so difference could vanish due to higher cost of living). Compensation matters to me because I don't see myself in big law long term...here to make some money and get out.

[Anonymous User]

I know a few people who work there.

Bonuses are discretionary and range from 15k to 100k. So technically people can get market bonus. But I heard that bonuses are normally half of market for most, if they hit hours (again according to people I know). I think minimum is 1900, but bonus expectations are closer to 2000.

As for comp, I hear that it’s market for first years but quickly compresses. Someone I know is a seventh year and is at $280.

Anon because it’d be easy to identify these people if people know who I am.

For reference, how much less would I make a first/second/third year level associate there than at a firm that pays the full lockstep market and bonus scale?

I think the difference would be negligible for the first two years. I think H&K is market for the first two years. The only difference will be the bonus. Are you deciding between H&K and a firm that has a guaranteed market bonus?

Yes, the other firm is lockstep, including market bonuses (but it is also in NYC, so difference could vanish due to higher cost of living). Compensation matters to me because I don't see myself in big law long term...here to make some money and get out.

Same anon as above. Can you indicate which market H&K is in?

Even if it’s Boston/DC (or any pricier market), you’ll be “ahead” at H&K even after bonus compared to the NY office of a market firm for 3 or so years.

If it’s Miami, I don’t think raises are as good. I’ve heard that starting is 180k, but my friend (3rd year) was offered 195k. And another associate I know (6th year) was offered between 225k and 235k.

[Anonymous User]

I know a few people who work there.

Bonuses are discretionary and range from 15k to 100k. So technically people can get market bonus. But I heard that bonuses are normally half of market for most, if they hit hours (again according to people I know). I think minimum is 1900, but bonus expectations are closer to 2000.

As for comp, I hear that it’s market for first years but quickly compresses. Someone I know is a seventh year and is at $280.

Anon because it’d be easy to identify these people if people know who I am.

For reference, how much less would I make a first/second/third year level associate there than at a firm that pays the full lockstep market and bonus scale?

I think the difference would be negligible for the first two years. I think H&K is market for the first two years. The only difference will be the bonus. Are you deciding between H&K and a firm that has a guaranteed market bonus?

Yes, the other firm is lockstep, including market bonuses (but it is also in NYC, so difference could vanish due to higher cost of living). Compensation matters to me because I don't see myself in big law long term...here to make some money and get out.

Same anon as above. Can you indicate which market H&K is in?

Even if it’s Boston/DC (or any pricier market), you’ll be “ahead” at H&K even after bonus compared to the NY office of a market firm for 3 or so years.

If it’s Miami, I don’t think raises are as good. I’ve heard that starting is 180k, but my friend (3rd year) was offered 195k. And another associate I know (6th year) was offered between 225k and 235k.

H&K is in one of the pricier markets indicated above. Sounds like my compensation would not differ enormously than at the NYC firm for at least the first several years of practice. But imagine my quality of life and balance would be significantly better at H&K. A lot to think about for sure

[QContinuum]

H&K is in one of the pricier markets indicated above. Sounds like my compensation would not differ enormously than at the NYC firm for at least the first several years of practice. But imagine my quality of life and balance would be significantly better at H&K. A lot to think about for sure

I don't have inside H&K intel, but I'd be wary of cavalierly assuming the above. Lower pay/allegedly lower minimums don't always translate out to fewer actual hours worked.

If I was in your shoes, OP, I'd want to be extra sure your H&K office has an "actual" (and not just "paper") 1900 expectation - and no culture of cutting your own hours - before deciding to join 'em on QoL grounds.