Bloomberg Law
December 16, 2015, 3:27 PM UTC

David Lat on Associate Bonuses, ‘Shaming,’ and a Snail-Mail Five Dollar Bill

Casey Sullivan

Around this time of year, law firm leaders tend to be stressed, but about something other than clients: determining associate bonuses.

Bonuses have long been used as a measuring stick for a firm’s success — their size often correlates with the firm’s overall revenues. Perhaps more importantly, bonuses provide real clues as to how a firm treats its associates — the less glorified, fee-churning engine of a firm’s business.

This year, once again, Cravath, Swaine & Moore kicked things off in December, announcing bonuses that range from $15,000 to $100,000 depending on experience and seniority; shortly thereafter, several other firms rushed forward with their similar announcements about this year’s bonus scale.

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