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Signing bonuses for corporate mid-level laterals?
Posted: Fri May 14, 2021 1:32 pm
by Anonymous User
It seems like the market for signing bonuses for midlevel corporate associates is all over the place. I've heard anywhere from $50K to $125K. Does anyone have any other data points to share?
Re: Signing bonuses for corporate mid-level laterals?
Posted: Fri May 14, 2021 4:38 pm
by Anonymous User
Mine was $55,000. 4th year. The offer was made in early Feb. V20 to V10.
Re: Signing bonuses for corporate mid-level laterals?
Posted: Fri May 14, 2021 4:50 pm
by Anonymous User
do you still get full bonus eOy (and covid bonus if applicable)?
Re: Signing bonuses for corporate mid-level laterals?
Posted: Fri May 14, 2021 4:57 pm
by VentureMBA
Kirkland is paying $400-500k.
Re: Signing bonuses for corporate mid-level laterals?
Posted: Fri May 14, 2021 4:58 pm
by Definitely Not North
VentureMBA wrote: ↑Fri May 14, 2021 4:57 pm
Kirkland is paying $400-500k.
yeah show me a paystub
Re: Signing bonuses for corporate mid-level laterals?
Posted: Fri May 14, 2021 5:01 pm
by 2013
VentureMBA wrote: ↑Fri May 14, 2021 4:57 pm
Kirkland is paying $400-500k.
I saw a recruiter I'm connected with on LinkedIn post about a candidate who received a $500k and guaranteed equity partnership (but decided not to take it). Maybe that was a Kirkland offer.
Re: Signing bonuses for corporate mid-level laterals?
Posted: Fri May 14, 2021 5:14 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote: ↑Fri May 14, 2021 4:50 pm
do you still get full bonus eOy (and covid bonus if applicable)?
Full year end bonus yes, but tbh not sure on the covid bonus. It could be prorated I guess. The whole covid bonus started shortly after I accepted an offer..
Re: Signing bonuses for corporate mid-level laterals?
Posted: Fri May 14, 2021 5:24 pm
by Anonymous User
2013 wrote: ↑Fri May 14, 2021 5:01 pm
VentureMBA wrote: ↑Fri May 14, 2021 4:57 pm
Kirkland is paying $400-500k.
I saw a recruiter I'm connected with on LinkedIn post about a candidate who received a $500k and guaranteed equity partnership (but decided not to take it). Maybe that was a Kirkland offer.
Hm, seems high. I know a senior that went in as NSP, got signing bonus equivalent to 100% of salary and guaranteed minimum comp for 3 years.
Re: Signing bonuses for corporate mid-level laterals?
Posted: Fri May 14, 2021 8:14 pm
by Anonymous User
I got 40k as a first year lateral.
Re: Signing bonuses for corporate mid-level laterals?
Posted: Fri May 14, 2021 8:34 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote: ↑Fri May 14, 2021 8:14 pm
I got 40k as a first year lateral.
wow really
Re: Signing bonuses for corporate mid-level laterals?
Posted: Fri May 14, 2021 9:22 pm
by Anonymous User
yep.
Re: Signing bonuses for corporate mid-level laterals?
Posted: Fri May 14, 2021 9:54 pm
by ExpOriental
2013 wrote: ↑Fri May 14, 2021 5:01 pm
VentureMBA wrote: ↑Fri May 14, 2021 4:57 pm
Kirkland is paying $400-500k.
I saw a recruiter I'm connected with on LinkedIn post about a candidate who received a $500k and guaranteed equity partnership (but decided not to take it). Maybe that was a Kirkland offer.
Sounds a lot more like a recruiter lying to drum up business.
Re: Signing bonuses for corporate mid-level laterals?
Posted: Fri May 14, 2021 11:50 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote: ↑Fri May 14, 2021 8:14 pm
I got 40k as a first year lateral.
Damn I'm jealous. First year lateral here who got nothing. Recruiter didn't really push me to ask and it was my only offer so I didn't have much leverage or so I thought. Not Kirkland.
Re: Signing bonuses for corporate mid-level laterals?
Posted: Sat May 15, 2021 2:45 am
by Anonymous User
Someone mentioned a $150k K&E bonus. I wonder if there were special circumstances to warrant that one.
Anyone know if you have better chance of asking for more money if you are not using a recruiter? Firm won’t be paying the fee so they could pay the associate more right?
Re: Signing bonuses for corporate mid-level laterals?
Posted: Sat May 15, 2021 8:26 am
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote: ↑Sat May 15, 2021 2:45 am
Someone mentioned a $150k K&E bonus. I wonder if there were special circumstances to warrant that one.
Anyone know if you have better chance of asking for more money if you are not using a recruiter? Firm won’t be paying the fee so they could pay the associate more right?
Maybe, these are one time charges though and law firms are killing it right now...probably matters at the margins but many firms would likely look through it.
BTW-recent lateral, 4th year, 85k signing bonus, full COVID and EOY guaranteed in a secondary market, used recruiter.
Re: Signing bonuses for corporate mid-level laterals?
Posted: Sat May 15, 2021 11:42 am
by VentureMBA
No reason to lie about this - I don't work at K&E but know 2 associates in the 5th-7th year range that both got $400k + guaranteed COVID and year end bonuses.
Re: Signing bonuses for corporate mid-level laterals?
Posted: Sat May 15, 2021 7:56 pm
by Anonymous User
Are those two you mentioned in a high demand area under the corporate umbrella? I imagine capital markets is more in demand than M&A or EC/VC (if K&E really does any traditional venture work even).
Re: Signing bonuses for corporate mid-level laterals?
Posted: Sat May 15, 2021 7:58 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote: ↑Sat May 15, 2021 8:26 am
Anonymous User wrote: ↑Sat May 15, 2021 2:45 am
Someone mentioned a $150k K&E bonus. I wonder if there were special circumstances to warrant that one.
Anyone know if you have better chance of asking for more money if you are not using a recruiter? Firm won’t be paying the fee so they could pay the associate more right?
Maybe, these are one time charges though and law firms are killing it right now...probably matters at the margins but many firms would likely look through it.
BTW-recent lateral, 4th year, 85k signing bonus, full COVID and EOY guaranteed in a secondary market, used recruiter.
Good to know. What is your signing bonus payout timeline? Are these typically divided and paid quarterly or a one time lump sum on one year anniversary?
Re: Signing bonuses for corporate mid-level laterals?
Posted: Sun May 16, 2021 2:23 pm
by Anonymous User
VentureMBA wrote: ↑Sat May 15, 2021 11:42 am
No reason to lie about this - I don't work at K&E but know 2 associates in the 5th-7th year range that both got $400k + guaranteed COVID and year end bonuses.
Just to be clear because I don't really believe what I'm reading. You are saying they got $400K right off the bat, on top of salary and EOY bonuses?
Re: Signing bonuses for corporate mid-level laterals?
Posted: Sun May 16, 2021 2:42 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote: ↑Sun May 16, 2021 2:23 pm
VentureMBA wrote: ↑Sat May 15, 2021 11:42 am
No reason to lie about this - I don't work at K&E but know 2 associates in the 5th-7th year range that both got $400k + guaranteed COVID and year end bonuses.
Just to be clear because I don't really believe what I'm reading. You are saying they got $400K right off the bat, on top of salary and EOY bonuses?
Idk where VentureMBA works but I have heard of similar numbers from my firm. The fact that K&E has to pay that kind of money to attract talent I think tells you all you need to know about the place.
Re: Signing bonuses for corporate mid-level laterals?
Posted: Sun May 16, 2021 5:12 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote: ↑Sun May 16, 2021 2:42 pm
Anonymous User wrote: ↑Sun May 16, 2021 2:23 pm
VentureMBA wrote: ↑Sat May 15, 2021 11:42 am
No reason to lie about this - I don't work at K&E but know 2 associates in the 5th-7th year range that both got $400k + guaranteed COVID and year end bonuses.
Just to be clear because I don't really believe what I'm reading. You are saying they got $400K right off the bat, on top of salary and EOY bonuses?
Idk where VentureMBA works but I have heard of similar numbers from my firm. The fact that K&E has to pay that kind of money to attract talent I think tells you all you need to know about the place.
In a similar vein, Goodwin paid out a $100K signing bonus to a corporate 4th year I know. I still wouldn't go there because they'll lay you off at the drop of a hat the instant this economy cools.
Re: Signing bonuses for corporate mid-level laterals?
Posted: Mon May 17, 2021 9:56 am
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote: ↑Sun May 16, 2021 5:12 pm
...
In a similar vein, Goodwin paid out a $100K signing bonus to a corporate 4th year I know. I still wouldn't go there because they'll lay you off at the drop of a hat the instant this economy cools.
As someone who left a similar firm thinking the "grass would be greener" elsewhere (not biglaw), do you think it's reasonable to ask to go back and collect a signing bonus?
Re: Signing bonuses for corporate mid-level laterals?
Posted: Mon May 17, 2021 10:12 am
by Anonymous User
I know a fourth year who received a $200,000 signing bonus at K&E.
Re: Signing bonuses for corporate mid-level laterals?
Posted: Mon May 17, 2021 10:31 am
by Anonymous User
5th year, I was offered 125k signing plus guarantees on my EOY bonus from Kirkland due to their bonus period being offset. I've been told I was on the low end, but I wasn't coming from a prestigious firm.
Re: Signing bonuses for corporate mid-level laterals?
Posted: Mon May 17, 2021 10:47 am
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote: ↑Mon May 17, 2021 10:31 am
5th year, I was offered 125k signing plus guarantees on my EOY bonus from Kirkland due to their bonus period being offset. I've been told I was on the low end, but I wasn't coming from a prestigious firm.
Any clawback on these bonuses? I assume 1 year?