The US Biglaw associate compensation market is moving fast, with firms rapidly matching a new $235K salary scale that Milbank first introduced on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.
The new benchmark has triggered a wave of pay announcements across large law firms and boutiques, reshaping associate compensation expectations industry-wide.
Milbank added further pressure on Monday, July 27, by announcing its own round of special bonuses on top of the already elevated salary scale it pioneered.
Under Milbank’s bonus structure, Class of 2026 associates receive $6,000, while Class of 2018 and above, along with special counsel, receive $25,000, with payouts scheduled for August 31, 2026.
Otterbourg followed quickly, announcing a flat $20,000 bonus for all class years on July 28, 2026, though the payout date has not yet been disclosed.
Among firms that moved earlier on bonuses, Kellogg Hansen stands out, offering associates bonuses ranging from $20,000 to $75,000 with a 2,000-hour minimum, having announced the scale on June 10, 2026.
Selendy Gay and Hueston Hennigan were among the earliest bonus movers, with Hueston Hennigan offering between $10,000 and $35,000 regardless of class year, requiring 2,000 hours for eligibility.
On the salary side, McDermott, Quinn Emanuel, Sullivan and Cromwell, and Norton Rose Fulbright are among the firms that have matched Milbank’s Class of 2026 starting salary of $235,000.
Some boutique and litigation-focused firms have moved even higher, with Kellogg Hansen setting a first-year salary of $275,000 and a seventh-year figure of $505,000.
Desmarais and Groombridge have also exceeded the standard scale, offering $255,000 and $255,000 respectively at the entry level, climbing to $455,000 and $470,000 at the senior associate level.
Susman Godfrey took a distinct approach, setting its Class of 2025 salary at $240,000, slightly above the standard scale, with no minimum hours requirement attached.
Most firms on the raises list have pegged their scales to a July 1, 2026 effective date, though Dunn Isaacson Rhee noted its raises would go into effect at the end of July 2026.
The industry is still awaiting movement from several major Biglaw players, with firms expected to fall in line as competitive pressure from peers and boutiques continues to mount.