White & Case has become the latest firm to announce increases to its associate salaries, with the
US firm unveiling rises of 2.1% for its junior lawyers.
A newly-qualified solicitor (NQ) at the US giant will now earn £78,000 – an increase of £2,000 on the previous year’s figure of £76,000. Assistants with one year post-qualification experience (PQE) will be in line for £86,000 and £97,000 the year after. Three years’ PQE solicitors at White & Case will now pocket a base rate of £108,000, climbing to £126,000 after four years.
Trainees salaries remain unchanged, with those taking their first seat set to rake in £41,000.
The news comes after the firm last year hiked rates substantially, with assistants picking up inflation-busting raises of between 12% and 18%.
Rival US firm Shearman & Sterling last month announced increases of 7% for its junior lawyers, meaning NQs at the firm now earn more than at New York rival White & Case. Shearman NQs are in line for £80,000 – up from £75,000 – after the latest increases.
Many leading City firms have introduced more modest raises, with magic circle giants Linklaters and Clifford Chance both hiking salaries by around 4%.
By contrast, Herbert Smith and Allen & Overy both opted to freeze associate salaries at their current levels.
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