Milbank recently set the bar high in Biglaw by issuing special summer bonuses to their associates, ranging from a generous $6,000 to $25,000. While this financial boon is a cause for celebration at Milbank, it raises eyebrows elsewhere in the legal industry due to the conspicuous absence of matching bonuses from other top law firms.

In a sector where competitive bonus matching is almost a tradition, the silence from other firms is palpable. Industry insiders speculate that the delay in matching Milbank’s bonuses could be a strategic move. Firms might be waiting out the economic uncertainties or recalibrating their compensation strategies in response to shifting market dynamics.

This summer has also seen significant activity in terms of partner lateral moves within Biglaw. High-profile shifts have been noted, with certain firms aggressively expanding their teams by poaching groups of lawyers from competitors. However, not all sectors within Biglaw have felt the benefits of this trend. The private equity sector, for example, appears somewhat sidelined, a situation attributed to stringent due diligence processes.

Apart from internal movements and bonus distributions, there was a brief but alarming incident involving the disappearance of the habeas corpus clause from the U.S. Congress’s website. Though quickly resolved, this incident has gone relatively underreported, overshadowed by industry-focused news.

As the summer progresses, all eyes will be on other top-tier law firms to see if they will follow Milbank's lead in issuing summer bonuses. Associates across the industry are eagerly anticipating these potential financial rewards, which could significantly impact morale and the ongoing competition for top legal talent.

In conclusion, while Milbank associates enjoy their summer windfall, the broader implications of these bonus discrepancies are yet to unfold fully. The coming weeks will likely reveal whether other Biglaw firms will rise to the occasion or if this summer will mark a departure from traditional bonus-matching practices.