Newly-qualified solicitors (NQs) at the top 30
Bird & Bird has confirmed increases across all its associate pay bands, although first-year trainees will pocket the largest increase, with their pay rising by more than 19% to £37,000, up from a previous mark of £31,000.
The firm’s second-year trainees also benefit from a double-digit increase, rising by more than 14% to £40,000, up from £35,000.
Commenting on the trainee rises, a spokesperson for the firm said: “We know that once people have spent any time within the firm they want to stay but we appreciate the financial strain many students are under and felt this rise would enhance our ability to attract the very best.”
The news comes with most UK firms adopting a cautious stance to associate pay rises, with top 10 City firm Herbert Smith yesterday (30 April) announcing that it was freezing its pay for junior lawyers at 2007 levels.
Magic circle giant Linklaters, meanwhile, announced a rise of around 4% for its NQs, who will now pocket £66,600.
Stay up to speed with all the latest salary changes with the Legal Week Wiki pay league.