When it comes to setting benchmarks for associate salaries, it seems the agility of boutique law firms is overshadowing the might of Biglaw. Amidst the silence from many large law firms regarding salary adjustments, Elsberg Baker & Maruri (EBM), a nimble and prestigious boutique firm, has quickly aligned with Milbank's newly established pay scale, once again demonstrating its commitment to generously compensating its top-tier talent.

Founded just over two years ago by David Elsberg, alongside Rollo Baker and Silpa Maruri, after their departure from Selendy Gay Elsberg, EBM has rapidly gained recognition not only for its legal prowess but also for its outstanding associate bonuses. Their latest move to match Milbank's salary scale is a testament to their ongoing strategy to attract and retain the best in the legal field.

Here’s a glimpse at the updated salary structure at EBM: - 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

Even summer associates at EBM will enjoy pro-rated salary increases, a move likely to draw in a slew of ambitious law students eager to kickstart their careers at a firm that values and rewards its associates highly.

David Elsberg, founding partner, emphasized the firm's philosophy, stating, "We hire associates of the highest caliber whose superb work has been central to delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients and driving our firm’s strong performance. We’re grateful for their contributions and committed to recognizing and rewarding them."

This salary increase at EBM sends a clear message to the legal industry: boutique firms are not only competing but leading the way in creating attractive, rewarding environments for young lawyers. As the landscape of legal employment evolves, it’s evident that smaller firms are setting a competitive pace that larger firms may struggle to match.

As we continue to monitor this exciting trend in legal compensation, remember that updates rely on insights from industry insiders. If your firm announces or matches salary scales, please reach out via phone or email. For those interested, signing up for ATL’s Bonus Alerts will ensure immediate notifications of such announcements, keeping you at the forefront of the latest developments in law firm compensation.

Congratulations to everyone at Elsberg Baker & Maruri for setting a commendable example in the legal sector!