Hammonds has underlined its commitment to its regional network after unveiling an 18% pay hike for its newly-qualified (NQ) lawyers outside the City.
NQs at Hammonds’ regional offices in Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester will now take home £40,000, up from £34,000 during the equivalent period last year, the national firm announced today (9 July).
Hammonds becomes the fourth major national firm to break the new benchmark of £40,000 for junior lawyers outside the capital set by national rival Addleshaw Goddard last month, as revealed by Legal Week (7 June).
Hammonds' new pay bands, which took effect from 1 July, will see NQ solicitors in London pocket £60,000 - a 25% increase on last year’s rate of £48,000.
In addition, Hammonds has also introduced a new benefits package, which includes provisions for increased holiday entitlement and a fresh bonus system. Solicitors are entitled to a bonus worth up to 10% of salary, with associates and senior associates in line for potential bonuses of 12% and 15% respectively.
Commenting on the changes, Hammonds’ managing partner Peter Crossley said: “We are extremely pleased to be in a position to offer highly-competitive salaries together with a full range of employment benefits that are envied in the market.”
The rises come after Wragge & Co, Pinsent Masons and Addleshaws all unveiled £40,000 salaries for NQ lawyers in the regions, with robust increases in the City lifting NQ pay at all firms to above £60,000.
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