As salary race heats up, small "boutique" firms lure Big Law talent

REUTERS/Toru Hanai

As elite litigation boutiques move faster than many Big Law firms to match Milbank's new associate pay scale, young lawyers say money is no longer the deciding factor. Instead, they're drawn by the chance to take depositions, lead client calls and help shape case strategy much earlier in their careers.

Former Big Law associates told columnist Sara Randazzo that boutique firms often offer the same market-rate pay with more hands-on experience and responsibility. At least 15 boutiques have announced associate raises since June, compared with only a handful of larger firms.

The tradeoff? Smaller firm brands can carry less name recognition, career paths may be riskier, and the hours remain demanding. But for some associates, the broader role has been worth it. Read more in Power of Attorney.

Coming up today

Gaming: The 9th Circuit will hear an appeal from Native American tribes in California seeking to stop platforms like Kalshi and Robinhood from offering sports betting, which the tribes claim run afoul of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and the Lanham Act.
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Court calendars are subject to last-minute docket changes.

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