Firms that Pay Above Market to High Billers Forum

[backtobiglaw]

Kirkland is black box but hours are a major component of above-market bonuses, with some very high billers (who receive excellent merit scores in annual review) approaching 2x market bonuses.

How high is “very high”?

[Anonymous User]

Kirkland is black box but hours are a major component of above-market bonuses, with some very high billers (who receive excellent merit scores in annual review) approaching 2x market bonuses.

How high is “very high”?

I have heard of bonuses like these for people in the 2800 range, give or take 1-200.

[Anonymous User]

Kirkland is black box but hours are a major component of above-market bonuses, with some very high billers (who receive excellent merit scores in annual review) approaching 2x market bonuses.

How high is “very high”?

I have heard of bonuses like these for people in the 2800 range, give or take 1-200.

Counterpoint, someone billed 2800 and got ~1.6. Lots of people lie about hours and bonuses.

[Anonymous User]

Moderately high biller. Have gotten 1.5x at Sidley in recent years. Seems like they’re trying to be competitive with K&E.

What do you consider moderately high?

[Anonymous User]

This is coming up in another thread, but I think it deserves its own attention. Does your firm pay you above-market bonuses if you are a high biller? If so, what amounts at what thresholds? From the other thread, we have the following information (Vault-ordered):

...

NO ABOVE MARKET BONUS FOR HIGH BILLERS
Gibson Dunn?

This is incorrect. I'm a current midlevel at Gibson. I've been through multiple review cycles and have received above-market bonuses each year for (what I presume is) high billing. In each, my bonus has been the market bonus for the year above me.

[Anonymous User]

This is coming up in another thread, but I think it deserves its own attention. Does your firm pay you above-market bonuses if you are a high biller? If so, what amounts at what thresholds? From the other thread, we have the following information (Vault-ordered):

...

NO ABOVE MARKET BONUS FOR HIGH BILLERS
Gibson Dunn?

This is incorrect. I'm a current midlevel at Gibson. I've been through multiple review cycles and have received above-market bonuses each year for (what I presume is) high billing. In each, my bonus has been the market bonus for the year above me.

[Anonymous User]

This is coming up in another thread, but I think it deserves its own attention. Does your firm pay you above-market bonuses if you are a high biller? If so, what amounts at what thresholds? From the other thread, we have the following information (Vault-ordered):

...

NO ABOVE MARKET BONUS FOR HIGH BILLERS
Gibson Dunn?

This is incorrect. I'm a current midlevel at Gibson. I've been through multiple review cycles and have received above-market bonuses each year for (what I presume is) high billing. In each, my bonus has been the market bonus for the year above me.

[Anonymous User]

This is coming up in another thread, but I think it deserves its own attention. Does your firm pay you above-market bonuses if you are a high biller? If so, what amounts at what thresholds? From the other thread, we have the following information (Vault-ordered):

...

NO ABOVE MARKET BONUS FOR HIGH BILLERS
Gibson Dunn?

Duplicate post.

[almostperfectt]

This is coming up in another thread, but I think it deserves its own attention. Does your firm pay you above-market bonuses if you are a high biller? If so, what amounts at what thresholds? From the other thread, we have the following information (Vault-ordered):

...

NO ABOVE MARKET BONUS FOR HIGH BILLERS
Gibson Dunn?

This is incorrect. I'm a current midlevel at Gibson. I've been through multiple review cycles and have received above-market bonuses each year for (what I presume is) high billing. In each, my bonus has been the market bonus for the year above me.

.... Is it possible that you're a class year higher than you think? lol only half joking

[Anonymous User]

I am a Gibson associate and the other poster is right. They don't have a published scale for how they do it, but they do pay above market at what I assume are certain hours benchmarks.

[Anonymous User]

I’m in my stub year but probably billed 200 in my first month cause we were really busy. What’s the use of another $35k ( like 15-20k after taxes) for like an addition 500 hours of work. I mean I want to get paid and if these were WRLK like bonuses I would gun for more hours, but holy shit does this not seem worth it to me. The mid levels are literally dying, so don’t see added money as the panacea to the crush. Correct me if I’m wrong.

[Anonymous User]

Kirkland is black box but hours are a major component of above-market bonuses, with some very high billers (who receive excellent merit scores in annual review) approaching 2x market bonuses.

How high is “very high”?

I have heard of bonuses like these for people in the 2800 range, give or take 1-200.

Counterpoint, someone billed 2800 and got ~1.6. Lots of people lie about hours and bonuses.

Did this 2800 biller receive a 3? How senior were they? I don't think juniors get massive multipliers no matter their hours.

The huge "Kirkland shatters" stuff is for the few midlevel/senior rockstars who are on SP track and are also killing themselves with hours. Everyone else is very competitive with many other firms who pay above market to high billers, but for some reason KE gets credit for overpaying (when they aren't, really).

[Anonymous User]

I’m in my stub year but probably billed 200 in my first month cause we were really busy. What’s the use of another $35k ( like 15-20k after taxes) for like an addition 500 hours of work. I mean I want to get paid and if these were WRLK like bonuses I would gun for more hours, but holy shit does this not seem worth it to me. The mid levels are literally dying, so don’t see added money as the panacea to the crush. Correct me if I’m wrong.

As (I think) has already been covered ITT, these bonuses are neither an incentive to work more nor compensatory for your time. Nobody starts out the year saying "you know what, I would love to exchange 200 hours of my life for an extra $10k." But if you're going to have to do it (whether because your group is busy or you think it will increase your odds of making partner), it's nice to get a pat on the back in the form of some extra cash.

[The Lsat Airbender]

I’m in my stub year but probably billed 200 in my first month cause we were really busy. What’s the use of another $35k ( like 15-20k after taxes) for like an addition 500 hours of work. I mean I want to get paid and if these were WRLK like bonuses I would gun for more hours, but holy shit does this not seem worth it to me. The mid levels are literally dying, so don’t see added money as the panacea to the crush. Correct me if I’m wrong.

As (I think) has already been covered ITT, these bonuses are neither an incentive to work more nor compensatory for your time. Nobody starts out the year saying "you know what, I would love to exchange 200 hours of my life for an extra $10k." But if you're going to have to do it (whether because your group is busy or you think it will increase your odds of making partner), it's nice to get a pat on the back in the form of some extra cash.

Exactly. The idea is to smooth out the relationship between hours and pay, not make it perfectly flat.

[Anonymous User]

Moderately high biller. Have gotten 1.5x at Sidley in recent years. Seems like they’re trying to be competitive with K&E.

What is "moderately high?" Also at Sidley, last year got 1.15x or so for ~2250. Lateraled a couple of years back but not sure how the "secret scale" works, so would be great to get some insight if you have any.

[Anonymous User]

How about STB? Assuming I hit 2,800h which I am on track for.

[Sackboy]

Imagine wanting to be a high biller or being willing to work somewhere that consistently makes you one. Wild.

[peoplearehungry]

We've had a few more come in, along with some corrections, so time to update the chart:

2. Wachtell: 1x salary for all. Everyone is assumed to be a high biller.

5. Latham: black box multiple for high billers and other performance factors. Busier offices weighted more.(reported 1.5x at 2400, 1.35x at 2500, 1.3x at 1900)

6. Kirkland: black box but major component of above-market bonus. Reported up to 2x market for "very high billers" + excellent merit evaluation score

10. Gibson Dunn: Black box with first bump generally around 2100 hours.

11. Sidley Austin: Black box. "moderately-high biller" reports 1.5x market; 1.15x reported for ~2250.

16. White & Case: 1.2x market for 2400 (pure billable)

19. WilmerHale: $5,000 at 2200 hours plus another $10k at each of 2500, 2700, 2900, etc.

24. Cooley: Black box. 2400 hours for a "big bonus bump"

25. MoFo: 1.3x market bonus for 2500-2699, 1.4x for 2700-2899, 1.55x for 2900+

29. Goodwin: Black box. Changing formula that considers hours and reviews. Estimated at an extra .2X for hours and .2X for distinctive reviews.

30. Akin Gump: Unpublished. Possibly something like 2300-2400, $5000; additional $5,000 for each 100 hours after that.

31. Arnold & Porter: 1.2x market for 2400 (must be at least 2200 client billable)

32. Orrick: $15k vacation at 2400 hours + black box above-market for unspecified "merit" (some correlation to hours)

34. DLA Piper: 10% for every 150 hours over the 2k target, and another 10% for the best performers (may vary year-to-year and by seniority)

39. King & Spalding: bump for every 100 hours over billing minimum (1950).

40. Mayer Brown:

Class Yr. 2100 Hrs. 2200 Hrs. 2300 Hrs.
2020: $3,000 $4,000 $6,000
2019: $4,500 $6,000 $9,000
2018: $8,635 $12,000 $17,250
2017: $11,250 $15,000 $22,500
2016: $13,500 $18,000 $27,000
2015: $15,750 $21,000 $31,500
2014+: $17,250 $23,000 $34,500

41. Winston & Strawn:

Years 1st-4th 5th+
2,100 $2,000 $4,000
2,200 $5,000 $8,000
2,300 $8,000 $12,000
2,400 $12,000 $16,000
2,500 $15,000 $20,000
2,600 $20,000 $25,000
2,700 $25,000 $30,000

46. Fried Frank: 1.15x market for 2200; 1.3x market for 2450

47. Baker Botts: something (unspecified)

51. Dechert: 1.3x market for 2200; 1.4x market for 2400 (apply only to client billable hours, no pro-bono, etc.)

54. McDermott Will & Emery: "a combo of performance and hours bonuses that can result in up to 2.0x historically"

56. Cadwalader: 1.2x market for 2200 (client billable only)

61. Reed Smith: "something"

62. Vinson & Elkins: 1.15x for 2150, 1.25x for 2300, 1.35x for 2500 and anything above 2500 is discretionary

64. Norton Rose: black box discretionary at 2050 and 2150

71. Sheppard Mullin: 1.1x market at 2200 hours; 1.2x market at 2400

79. Schulte Roth: Class year dependent at 2070 hrs $5-$15k; 2250 $10-$30k; 2430 $15-45k (may be lower hours threshold due to covid)

82. Katten: add'l bonus for each 100 hours above 2000, weighted by senority

90. Kellogg Hansen: Not on Cravath scale. Pays extra bonus according to hours.

NO ABOVE-MARKET BONUS FOR HIGH BILLERS
1. Cravath

[Anonymous User]

What is the above market rate for STB? I am approaching 3000 hours. Thanks.

[Anonymous User]

Based on the bonus memo that's been made public, Goodwin can be changed to "combination of reviews and hours, up to 1.75x"

[Anonymous User]

We've had a few more come in, along with some corrections, so time to update the chart:

2. Wachtell: 1x salary for all. Everyone is assumed to be a high biller.

5. Latham: black box multiple for high billers and other performance factors. Busier offices weighted more.(reported 1.5x at 2400, 1.35x at 2500, 1.3x at 1900)

6. Kirkland: black box but major component of above-market bonus. Reported up to 2x market for "very high billers" + excellent merit evaluation score

10. Gibson Dunn: Black box with first bump generally around 2100 hours.

11. Sidley Austin: Black box. "moderately-high biller" reports 1.5x market; 1.15x reported for ~2250.

16. White & Case: 1.2x market for 2400 (pure billable)

19. WilmerHale: $5,000 at 2200 hours plus another $10k at each of 2500, 2700, 2900, etc.

24. Cooley: Black box. 2400 hours for a "big bonus bump"

25. MoFo: 1.3x market bonus for 2500-2699, 1.4x for 2700-2899, 1.55x for 2900+

29. Goodwin: Black box. Changing formula that considers hours and reviews. Estimated at an extra .2X for hours and .2X for distinctive reviews.

30. Akin Gump: Unpublished. Possibly something like 2300-2400, $5000; additional $5,000 for each 100 hours after that.

31. Arnold & Porter: 1.2x market for 2400 (must be at least 2200 client billable)

32. Orrick: $15k vacation at 2400 hours + black box above-market for unspecified "merit" (some correlation to hours)

34. DLA Piper: 10% for every 150 hours over the 2k target, and another 10% for the best performers (may vary year-to-year and by seniority)

39. King & Spalding: bump for every 100 hours over billing minimum (1950).

40. Mayer Brown:

Class Yr. 2100 Hrs. 2200 Hrs. 2300 Hrs.
2020: $3,000 $4,000 $6,000
2019: $4,500 $6,000 $9,000
2018: $8,635 $12,000 $17,250
2017: $11,250 $15,000 $22,500
2016: $13,500 $18,000 $27,000
2015: $15,750 $21,000 $31,500
2014+: $17,250 $23,000 $34,500

41. Winston & Strawn:

Years 1st-4th 5th+
2,100 $2,000 $4,000
2,200 $5,000 $8,000
2,300 $8,000 $12,000
2,400 $12,000 $16,000
2,500 $15,000 $20,000
2,600 $20,000 $25,000
2,700 $25,000 $30,000

46. Fried Frank: 1.15x market for 2200; 1.3x market for 2450

47. Baker Botts: something (unspecified)

51. Dechert: 1.3x market for 2200; 1.4x market for 2400 (apply only to client billable hours, no pro-bono, etc.)

54. McDermott Will & Emery: "a combo of performance and hours bonuses that can result in up to 2.0x historically"

56. Cadwalader: 1.2x market for 2200 (client billable only)

61. Reed Smith: "something"

62. Vinson & Elkins: 1.15x for 2150, 1.25x for 2300, 1.35x for 2500 and anything above 2500 is discretionary

64. Norton Rose: black box discretionary at 2050 and 2150

71. Sheppard Mullin: 1.1x market at 2200 hours; 1.2x market at 2400

79. Schulte Roth: Class year dependent at 2070 hrs $5-$15k; 2250 $10-$30k; 2430 $15-45k (may be lower hours threshold due to covid)

82. Katten: add'l bonus for each 100 hours above 2000, weighted by senority

90. Kellogg Hansen: Not on Cravath scale. Pays extra bonus according to hours.

NO ABOVE-MARKET BONUS FOR HIGH BILLERS
1. Cravath

Ropes pays above market bonuses for high billers but it's black box and differs from person to person, as far as I know.

[Anonymous User]

We've had a few more come in, along with some corrections, so time to update the chart:

2. Wachtell: 1x salary for all. Everyone is assumed to be a high biller.

5. Latham: black box multiple for high billers and other performance factors. Busier offices weighted more.(reported 1.5x at 2400, 1.35x at 2500, 1.3x at 1900)

6. Kirkland: black box but major component of above-market bonus. Reported up to 2x market for "very high billers" + excellent merit evaluation score

10. Gibson Dunn: Black box with first bump generally around 2100 hours.

11. Sidley Austin: Black box. "moderately-high biller" reports 1.5x market; 1.15x reported for ~2250.

16. White & Case: 1.2x market for 2400 (pure billable)

19. WilmerHale: $5,000 at 2200 hours plus another $10k at each of 2500, 2700, 2900, etc.

24. Cooley: Black box. 2400 hours for a "big bonus bump"

25. MoFo: 1.3x market bonus for 2500-2699, 1.4x for 2700-2899, 1.55x for 2900+

29. Goodwin: Black box. Changing formula that considers hours and reviews. Estimated at an extra .2X for hours and .2X for distinctive reviews.

30. Akin Gump: Unpublished. Possibly something like 2300-2400, $5000; additional $5,000 for each 100 hours after that.

31. Arnold & Porter: 1.2x market for 2400 (must be at least 2200 client billable)

32. Orrick: $15k vacation at 2400 hours + black box above-market for unspecified "merit" (some correlation to hours)

34. DLA Piper: 10% for every 150 hours over the 2k target, and another 10% for the best performers (may vary year-to-year and by seniority)

39. King & Spalding: bump for every 100 hours over billing minimum (1950).

40. Mayer Brown:

Class Yr. 2100 Hrs. 2200 Hrs. 2300 Hrs.
2020: $3,000 $4,000 $6,000
2019: $4,500 $6,000 $9,000
2018: $8,635 $12,000 $17,250
2017: $11,250 $15,000 $22,500
2016: $13,500 $18,000 $27,000
2015: $15,750 $21,000 $31,500
2014+: $17,250 $23,000 $34,500

41. Winston & Strawn:

Years 1st-4th 5th+
2,100 $2,000 $4,000
2,200 $5,000 $8,000
2,300 $8,000 $12,000
2,400 $12,000 $16,000
2,500 $15,000 $20,000
2,600 $20,000 $25,000
2,700 $25,000 $30,000

46. Fried Frank: 1.15x market for 2200; 1.3x market for 2450

47. Baker Botts: something (unspecified)

51. Dechert: 1.3x market for 2200; 1.4x market for 2400 (apply only to client billable hours, no pro-bono, etc.)

54. McDermott Will & Emery: "a combo of performance and hours bonuses that can result in up to 2.0x historically"

56. Cadwalader: 1.2x market for 2200 (client billable only)

61. Reed Smith: "something"

62. Vinson & Elkins: 1.15x for 2150, 1.25x for 2300, 1.35x for 2500 and anything above 2500 is discretionary

64. Norton Rose: black box discretionary at 2050 and 2150

71. Sheppard Mullin: 1.1x market at 2200 hours; 1.2x market at 2400

79. Schulte Roth: Class year dependent at 2070 hrs $5-$15k; 2250 $10-$30k; 2430 $15-45k (may be lower hours threshold due to covid)

82. Katten: add'l bonus for each 100 hours above 2000, weighted by senority

90. Kellogg Hansen: Not on Cravath scale. Pays extra bonus according to hours.

NO ABOVE-MARKET BONUS FOR HIGH BILLERS
1. Cravath

Seems like effectively none of the white shoe/heritage firms in any market go up over for high billers, sheesh

[Anonymous User]

Sidley. Objectively high biller. 2x market.

[Anonymous User]

We've had a few more come in, along with some corrections, so time to update the chart:

2. Wachtell: 1x salary for all. Everyone is assumed to be a high biller.

5. Latham: black box multiple for high billers and other performance factors. Busier offices weighted more.(reported 1.5x at 2400, 1.35x at 2500, 1.3x at 1900)

6. Kirkland: black box but major component of above-market bonus. Reported up to 2x market for "very high billers" + excellent merit evaluation score

10. Gibson Dunn: Black box with first bump generally around 2100 hours.

11. Sidley Austin: Black box. "moderately-high biller" reports 1.5x market; 1.15x reported for ~2250.

16. White & Case: 1.2x market for 2400 (pure billable)

19. WilmerHale: $5,000 at 2200 hours plus another $10k at each of 2500, 2700, 2900, etc.

24. Cooley: Black box. 2400 hours for a "big bonus bump"

25. MoFo: 1.3x market bonus for 2500-2699, 1.4x for 2700-2899, 1.55x for 2900+

29. Goodwin: Black box. Changing formula that considers hours and reviews. Estimated at an extra .2X for hours and .2X for distinctive reviews.

30. Akin Gump: Unpublished. Possibly something like 2300-2400, $5000; additional $5,000 for each 100 hours after that.

31. Arnold & Porter: 1.2x market for 2400 (must be at least 2200 client billable)

32. Orrick: $15k vacation at 2400 hours + black box above-market for unspecified "merit" (some correlation to hours)

34. DLA Piper: 10% for every 150 hours over the 2k target, and another 10% for the best performers (may vary year-to-year and by seniority)

39. King & Spalding: bump for every 100 hours over billing minimum (1950).

40. Mayer Brown:

Class Yr. 2100 Hrs. 2200 Hrs. 2300 Hrs.
2020: $3,000 $4,000 $6,000
2019: $4,500 $6,000 $9,000
2018: $8,635 $12,000 $17,250
2017: $11,250 $15,000 $22,500
2016: $13,500 $18,000 $27,000
2015: $15,750 $21,000 $31,500
2014+: $17,250 $23,000 $34,500

41. Winston & Strawn:

Years 1st-4th 5th+
2,100 $2,000 $4,000
2,200 $5,000 $8,000
2,300 $8,000 $12,000
2,400 $12,000 $16,000
2,500 $15,000 $20,000
2,600 $20,000 $25,000
2,700 $25,000 $30,000

46. Fried Frank: 1.15x market for 2200; 1.3x market for 2450

47. Baker Botts: something (unspecified)

51. Dechert: 1.3x market for 2200; 1.4x market for 2400 (apply only to client billable hours, no pro-bono, etc.)

54. McDermott Will & Emery: "a combo of performance and hours bonuses that can result in up to 2.0x historically"

56. Cadwalader: 1.2x market for 2200 (client billable only)

61. Reed Smith: "something"

62. Vinson & Elkins: 1.15x for 2150, 1.25x for 2300, 1.35x for 2500 and anything above 2500 is discretionary

64. Norton Rose: black box discretionary at 2050 and 2150

71. Sheppard Mullin: 1.1x market at 2200 hours; 1.2x market at 2400

79. Schulte Roth: Class year dependent at 2070 hrs $5-$15k; 2250 $10-$30k; 2430 $15-45k (may be lower hours threshold due to covid)

82. Katten: add'l bonus for each 100 hours above 2000, weighted by senority

90. Kellogg Hansen: Not on Cravath scale. Pays extra bonus according to hours.

NO ABOVE-MARKET BONUS FOR HIGH BILLERS
1. Cravath

Seems like effectively none of the white shoe/heritage firms in any market go up over for high billers, sheesh

Probably because they have no minimum requirement?

[Anonymous User]

We've had a few more come in, along with some corrections, so time to update the chart:

2. Wachtell: 1x salary for all. Everyone is assumed to be a high biller.

5. Latham: black box multiple for high billers and other performance factors. Busier offices weighted more.(reported 1.5x at 2400, 1.35x at 2500, 1.3x at 1900)

6. Kirkland: black box but major component of above-market bonus. Reported up to 2x market for "very high billers" + excellent merit evaluation score

10. Gibson Dunn: Black box with first bump generally around 2100 hours.

11. Sidley Austin: Black box. "moderately-high biller" reports 1.5x market; 1.15x reported for ~2250.

16. White & Case: 1.2x market for 2400 (pure billable)

19. WilmerHale: $5,000 at 2200 hours plus another $10k at each of 2500, 2700, 2900, etc.

24. Cooley: Black box. 2400 hours for a "big bonus bump"

25. MoFo: 1.3x market bonus for 2500-2699, 1.4x for 2700-2899, 1.55x for 2900+

29. Goodwin: Black box. Changing formula that considers hours and reviews. Estimated at an extra .2X for hours and .2X for distinctive reviews.

30. Akin Gump: Unpublished. Possibly something like 2300-2400, $5000; additional $5,000 for each 100 hours after that.

31. Arnold & Porter: 1.2x market for 2400 (must be at least 2200 client billable)

32. Orrick: $15k vacation at 2400 hours + black box above-market for unspecified "merit" (some correlation to hours)

34. DLA Piper: 10% for every 150 hours over the 2k target, and another 10% for the best performers (may vary year-to-year and by seniority)

39. King & Spalding: bump for every 100 hours over billing minimum (1950).

40. Mayer Brown:

Class Yr. 2100 Hrs. 2200 Hrs. 2300 Hrs.
2020: $3,000 $4,000 $6,000
2019: $4,500 $6,000 $9,000
2018: $8,635 $12,000 $17,250
2017: $11,250 $15,000 $22,500
2016: $13,500 $18,000 $27,000
2015: $15,750 $21,000 $31,500
2014+: $17,250 $23,000 $34,500

41. Winston & Strawn:

Years 1st-4th 5th+
2,100 $2,000 $4,000
2,200 $5,000 $8,000
2,300 $8,000 $12,000
2,400 $12,000 $16,000
2,500 $15,000 $20,000
2,600 $20,000 $25,000
2,700 $25,000 $30,000

46. Fried Frank: 1.15x market for 2200; 1.3x market for 2450

47. Baker Botts: something (unspecified)

51. Dechert: 1.3x market for 2200; 1.4x market for 2400 (apply only to client billable hours, no pro-bono, etc.)

54. McDermott Will & Emery: "a combo of performance and hours bonuses that can result in up to 2.0x historically"

56. Cadwalader: 1.2x market for 2200 (client billable only)

61. Reed Smith: "something"

62. Vinson & Elkins: 1.15x for 2150, 1.25x for 2300, 1.35x for 2500 and anything above 2500 is discretionary

64. Norton Rose: black box discretionary at 2050 and 2150

71. Sheppard Mullin: 1.1x market at 2200 hours; 1.2x market at 2400

79. Schulte Roth: Class year dependent at 2070 hrs $5-$15k; 2250 $10-$30k; 2430 $15-45k (may be lower hours threshold due to covid)

82. Katten: add'l bonus for each 100 hours above 2000, weighted by senority

90. Kellogg Hansen: Not on Cravath scale. Pays extra bonus according to hours.

NO ABOVE-MARKET BONUS FOR HIGH BILLERS
1. Cravath

Seems like effectively none of the white shoe/heritage firms in any market go up over for high billers, sheesh

Probably because they have no minimum requirement?

This isn't an excuse. None of KE or LW have a floor (Sidley might, I'm not sure). The fact is that you're way more likely to have a >2000 year than a slow/1800 year, and this has been true since 2018 if you're in a major transactional practice. If you're getting paid "market" and you're billing >2100+, you're underpaid and no one gives a shit about prestige.