Firm That Shocked The Market On Salaries Unveils Bonuses With Massive Bumps Up To $240,000

Biglaw bonus season has been largely predictable, with many top firms playing follow the leader when it comes to their bonus and salary scales. One firm, however, raised the stakes on compensation this summer, kicking its salary scale up a notch while matching Milbank’s special bonuses at the same time. Now that bonus season is here, that firm is once again strutting its stuff when it comes to its financial prowess, offering associates bonuses of up to $240,000.

The firm we’re speaking of is of course Axinn, which in early September announced a salary scale ranging from $250,000 for first-years to $460,000 for eighth-years – – $25,000 above the current Biglaw salary scale for each class year. While Biglaw firms are trotting out the same old lockstep salary scale this holiday season, Axinn is retaining its enhanced one.

As far as bonuses are concerned, the firm is handing out base bonuses for associates at the prevailing market rate, but it’s also offering bonuses at well above the market rate for many of its hardworking attorneys. Sources tell us that some associates at the firm have earned bonuses of up to $100,000 above market, while others are bringing home total bonuses of up to $240,000. Now that’s a real gift!

The firm’s bountiful bonuses will be paid out on Friday, December 19. Congratulations to everyone at Axinn!

Remember everyone, we depend on your tips to stay on top of compensation updates, so when your firm announces or matches, please text us (646-820-8477) or email us (subject line: “[Firm Name] Bonus/Matches”). Please include the memo if available. You can take a photo of the memo and send it via text or email if you don’t want to forward the original PDF or Word file.

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Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of 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 Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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