In a bold move to attract top legal talent, Latham & Watkins, the second highest-grossing law firm in the U.S., has significantly raised its signing bonuses for law clerks. The firm now offers a staggering $125,000 bonus for clerks from federal district and appellate courts. Those with a second qualifying clerkship will receive an additional $25,000, bringing their total signing bonus to $150,000.

This increase places Latham & Watkins in a competitive position within the Biglaw market, where law clerks are highly coveted for their rigorous judicial experience. The firm's substantial revenue of $7 billion in 2024 reflects its formidable presence in the legal industry, further supported by these enhanced financial incentives.

Other prestigious firms are also in the race to lure these highly skilled professionals. Hueston Hennigan leads with a $180,000 bonus for federal clerks. Close behind, Boies Schiller offers $150,000, escalating to $175,000 for clerks with multiple stints. Dovel & Luner isn't far off with a bonus of $140,000, while Cravath and Munger Tolles both offer $125,000 for a single clerkship, increasing to $150,000 for those with two. Susman Godfrey matches this with similar figures, and Fish & Richardson presents $115,000 specifically to those with Federal Circuit experience requiring two years of clerkship. Robins Kaplan rounds out the list with a $100,000 bonus.

As the legal lateral market remains robust, these bonuses reflect the high demand for clerks who can bring a blend of academic rigor and practical judiciary experience to their roles in private law practice. This trend not only underscores the value of federal clerks but also poses a question to other law firms: will they too up the ante to secure such coveted talent?

For more information on Latham & Watkins’ U.S. compensation and benefits, interested parties can visit their official careers page. Meanwhile, individuals privy to other firms’ bonus structures are encouraged to share insights to help map the evolving landscape of clerkship bonuses in the legal sector.