This year’s bonus season in the world of Biglaw has been fiercely competitive, with firms scrambling to match or exceed the generous benchmarks set by Cravath and Milbank. However, it appears that Morgan Lewis, a formidable player in the legal arena, silently took the lead by implementing these hefty bonuses ahead of the curve and just in time for Thanksgiving.

On November 24, Morgan Lewis, which ranks No. 10 on the Am Law 100 with a staggering $3 billion in gross revenue for 2024, announced internally that it would align with the prevailing market rates on year-end and special bonuses. What’s more, the firm also introduced "extraordinary" bonuses for associates demonstrating exceptional performance, setting a new precedent in the bonus game.

The specifics of the bonuses at Morgan Lewis are as follows: - Class of 2024 – $20,000 / $6,000 - Class of 2023 – $30,000 / $10,000 - Class of 2022 – $57,500 / $15,000 - Class of 2021 – $75,000 / $20,000 - Class of 2020 – $90,000 / $25,000 - Class of 2019 – $105,000 / $25,000 - Class of 2018 and beyond – $115,000 / $25,000

Associates at Morgan Lewis can expect their bonuses in January 2026, marking a lucrative start to the new year.

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This strategic move by Morgan Lewis not only rewards its associates handsomely but also sets a competitive standard for other firms aiming to retain top legal talent. Congratulations to all Morgan Lewis associates on their well-deserved bonuses!