Bar stipends of native DC biglaw firms? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm an incoming summer at one of the DC-based firms and am curious about the amount of bar prep stipend/bonus that each local DC firm offers to incoming first years. I'm specifically referring to the following firms:

- Williams & Connolly
- Covington
- Wilmer
- Hogan
- A&P
- Akin
- Steptoe
- Wiley
- Crowell
- Venable
- Pillsbury

The data that I could find through Google searches seem outdated. Any insight for each of the firms is appreciated.

[Anonymous User]

$10k

[Anonymous User]

$10k

OP here. Is that right? My sources tell me that most firms offer significantly less than 10k.

[Anonymous User]

May be a dumb question, but do bar stipends get deducted from wages once you begin working at the firm or are they just an extra 10k "bonus" to get you from graduation to your start date?

[Anonymous User]

May be a dumb question, but do bar stipends get deducted from wages once you begin working at the firm or are they just an extra 10k "bonus" to get you from graduation to your start date?

OP here. My understanding is that bar stipends are essentially a signing bonus (with clawback if you leave too early), but some firms only give out loans/salary advances.

[Anonymous User]

at one of the mentioned firms, got $10k, had to pay back out of first couple of paychecks

[Anonymous User]

at one of the mentioned firms, got $10k, had to pay back out of first couple of paychecks

Do you mind sharing which firm?

[Anonymous User]

One of the firms listed. $15k

[Anonymous User]

This information may be out of date, but a few years ago Wilmer offered a $7,500 stipend in May, reimbursed bar course and exam day expenses (e.g., travel/hotel if you lived elsewhere), and reimbursed relocation costs of up to $5k depending on how far you lived from the office.

[Anonymous User]

Though not on your list, if helpful, Sidley gives 15k (10k stipend plus 5k bar fees).