Do all V10 firms clawback clerkship bonuses? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have specific experiences with v10 firms clawing back clerkship bonuses if an associate leaves before a year? If so, does it matter how close the associate left to the one year mark? How many hours the associate billed? Etc. Any data points would be helpful.

[hdr]

As a practical matter they can't force you to return your bonus; they're not going to take you to court. The most they'll do is remind you of your agreement and pressure you to return it (reputation, professional obligations, etc.).

Also, where you're going next is much more important than how many hours you billed or whatever. If you're lateraling to another firm, the firm that paid your bonus is going to be pissed (this happened with a friend of mine but his old firm ultimately couldn't force him to repay).

[Jchance]

Can you just ask the new firm (if there is one) to cover the clerkship bonus clawback?

[Anonymous User]

Formerly at a lockstep V10 and left to clerk again; I never heard anything about a clawback at the time or a clawback if I didn't return. The missed bonuses do sting a little, though.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. I don’t have anything lined up currently, but, if I left, I’d be taking a job at a mid- or small-sized firm in a market where my current firm (and, indeed, no “big law” firms) have an office. I’m just on the verge of burning out and only 7 months in (on pace to bill just under 3200 hours annually). Are firms less likely to clawback if you leave to clerk or pursue government roles?

[Anonymous User]

Are firms less likely to clawback if you leave to clerk or pursue government roles?

Yes, and even less likely still if going in-house to an existing or potential client.

I think you will probably get away without having to pay it back. But you should be prepared for an uncomfortable conversation if they show you an onboarding document that you signed with the clawback and ask for you to pay them.

At my V10 I don't know if they enforce the clawback ever, but I do know that the firm doesn't even mention it when associates leave to clerk.

[JusticeJackson]

I have no direct experience with this but my friend at Quinn said the firm had some expedited arbitration provision in employment agreements and that Quinn would absolutely reduce your remaining paychecks and/or initiate arbitration to claw back the bonus.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone have knowledge of whether K&E clawsback clerkship bonuses?

[Anonymous User]

Also interested in Kirkland