Biglaw salaries are on a steep upward trajectory, reminiscent of the catchy tunes of the viral Huntrix anthem. The legal community is abuzz as firms vie to offer the most competitive pay packages to their associates. The latest to make headlines is the newly merged McDermott Will & Schulte, swiftly responding to Milbank's recent salary hike by matching their new pay scale.

Earlier today, Milbank set a new precedent by increasing their associate salaries by $10,000 to $20,000, based on the associate's year of graduation. Not to be outdone, McDermott Will & Schulte announced that it would align its compensation grid to mirror Milbank’s updated figures. The legal circles have been quick to express their excitement over McDermott's rapid response.

Here’s a breakdown of what associates can now expect to earn at McDermott Will & Schulte: - Class of 2026/2025: $235,000 - Class of 2024: $245,000 - Class of 2023: $270,000 - Class of 2022: $320,000 - Class of 2021: $385,000 - Class of 2020: $410,000 - Class of 2019: $440,000 - Class of 2018: $455,000

These figures are indicative of the fierce competition among top law firms to attract and retain the best legal talent. Congratulations have been pouring in for the attorneys at McDermott who are set to benefit from these generous salary enhancements.

In an era where information is key to staying ahead, the legal community relies heavily on updates from insiders. If your firm is planning to announce salary adjustments or has already done so, you can contribute to the collective knowledge by texting (646-820-8477) or emailing ([email protected]) with the subject line “[Firm Name] Bonus/Matches”. Sharing a memo via text or email, without needing to forward the original document, is encouraged.

Furthermore, for those keen on staying updated with the latest in salary news, Above the Law offers a subscription to ATL’s Bonus Alerts. If you’ve previously signed up for this service, rest assured that you will receive notifications as soon as any new salary announcements are made.

The legal industry’s salary wars show no signs of cooling down, and the stakes are higher than ever. As firms continue to match or even surpass their competitors' offers, all eyes will be on who makes the next move in this high-stakes game of compensation chess.