McDermott Will & Emery Announces A Full Milbank Match -- With Merit Bonuses On Top Of Special Bonuses
The firm is making big money moves for associates this week. Congratulations!
MCDERMOTT WILL & EMERY — MEMO — BONUSES
Dear US Associates,
As we talked about on our Town Hall last week, our Firm is on track to achieve our strongest year yet. As always, we are delighted to share our success with our wonderful Associates. In addition to providing a year-end 2024 bonus for those who meet our standard bonus-eligible-hours threshold, we will also provide a special bonus, regardless of hours (see below). Bonuses will be paid out on December 27, 2024. We remain committed to being top of market in all that we do and, consistent with prior years, about two-thirds of our Associates will earn above the Cravath scale.
On behalf of our leadership team and Partnership, thank you for continuing to bring “Big Law, Better” to life and drive this amazing performance!
| Compensation Year | 2024 Bonus* | Special Bonus | 2025 Base Salary |
| 2024 | $15,000 (prorated) | $6,000 (prorated) | $225,000 |
| 2023 | $20,000 | $6,000 | $235,000 |
| 2022 | $30,000 | $10,000 | $260,000 |
| 2021 | $57,500 | $15,000 | $310,000 |
| 2020 | $75,000 | $20,000 | $365,000 |
| 2019 | $90,000 | $25,000 | $390,000 |
| 2018 | $105,000 | $25,000 | $420,000 |
| 2017+ | $115,000 | $25,000 | $435,000 |
Note: Except for the class of 2024, Associates must have joined the firm prior to August 1, 2024, to be eligible for these bonuses.
Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy Thanksgiving!
Best,
Ira
Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on X/Twitter and Threads or connect with her on LinkedIn.
