It's been over a week since Milbank set the stage for the 2026 salary wars, yet the buzz isn't about the usual Biglaw players following suit. Instead, a slew of elite litigation boutiques have stolen the spotlight with swift and significant pay raises for their associates.

The current compensation scorecard is dominated by names like Hueston Hennigan, Vartabedian Katz Hester Haynes, and Quinn Emanuel, among others. Notably, Susman Godfrey has gone above and beyond, not just matching Milbank’s figures but setting a new high in what could be described as a boutique compensation arms race. This move prompted others like Holwell Shuster & Goldberg to follow, escalating the stakes further.

Contrastingly, the traditional giants of Biglaw have been unusually quiet. This is a significant shift from 2023, when firms like Cravath swiftly matched Milbank’s salary increases, sparking a widespread adjustment across major law firms. Back then, the market waited for Cravath’s move, which once made, led to a rapid cascade of matches.

Today, the landscape is different. Biglaw's hesitation seems rooted in a strategic wait-and-see approach, possibly anticipating a further move by Cravath that could necessitate recalibration of their own scales. This cautious stance might be practical for managing potential re-raises, but it leaves many associates in a frustrating state of suspense.

The boutique firms, on the other hand, are operating under a different dynamic. They’ve shown they can compete fiercely for top talent by offering premium compensation packages, reflecting their lean operations and highly specialized market focus. This boutique phenomenon, highlighted by the so-called Susman scale, suggests a growing divergence in how different sectors of the legal market respond to talent retention challenges.

As the July 1st deadline for the new salaries to take effect approaches, pressure mounts on Biglaw firms to make their move. The industry knows that matches are inevitable; the delay only serves to agitate associates who are left to wonder about their worth and their firm's competitiveness.

In essence, while Biglaw might be playing a game of strategic patience, the litigation boutiques have shown a readiness to lead and define market standards, at least for now. The question remains, however, how long can Biglaw afford to wait before this silence begins to speak louder than words?