{"id":166833,"date":"2026-11-05T16:55:47","date_gmt":"2026-11-06T00:55:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2026\/11\/05\/biglaw-associates-have-their-eyes-on-raises-and-even-bigger-bonuses\/"},"modified":"2026-11-05T16:55:47","modified_gmt":"2026-11-06T00:55:47","slug":"biglaw-associates-have-their-eyes-on-raises-and-even-bigger-bonuses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2026\/11\/05\/biglaw-associates-have-their-eyes-on-raises-and-even-bigger-bonuses\/","title":{"rendered":"Biglaw Associates Have Their Eyes On Raises And Even Bigger Bonuses"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bonus season is right around the corner, and Biglaw associates have money on their minds. This year, it\u2019s not just about bonuses \u2014 salary increases are on their wish lists, too. In fact, most of the nearly 350 respondents to our annual bonus season survey expect firms to match Milbank\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2026\/06\/alert-milbank-does-it-again-associate-salaries-are-going-up\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">raises<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2026\/07\/summer-surprise-milbank-announces-special-bonuses-up-to-25k\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">special bonuses<\/a>. When it comes to year-end bonuses, the majority anticipate the same payouts as last year, while more than a third think firms will be more generous. Considering the bonus scale hasn\u2019t budged since 2021 \u2014 and the last increase before that came in 2014 \u2014 associates are understandably ready for firms to sweeten the deal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a little reminder, this is what the Milbank raises and special bonuses look like:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Class of 2026\/2025: $235,000 \/ $6,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2024: $245,000 \/ $10,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2023: $270,000 \/ $15,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2022: $320,000 \/ $20,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2021: $385,000 \/ $25,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2020: $410,000 \/ $25,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2019: $440,000 \/ $25,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2018: $455,000 \/ $25.000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is what last year\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2025\/11\/cravath-starts-biglaws-bonus-season-with-year-end-and-special-bonuses\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cravath bonuses<\/a> (including Milbank\u2019s special bonuses) looked like:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Class of 2025: $15,000 \/ $6,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2024: $20,000 \/ $6,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2023: $30,000 \/ $10,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2022: $57,500 \/ $15,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2021: $75,000 \/ $20,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2020: $90,000 \/ $25,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2019: $105,000 \/ $25,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2018: $115,000 \/ $25,000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cravath has yet to match Milbank\u2019s salary increases or special bonuses, but other firms are finally stepping up to the plate and announcing salary increases without the perennial compensation leader\u2019s seal of approval. In fact, DLA Piper has already <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2026\/10\/dla-piper-matches-milbank-then-piles-on-even-more-bonus-cash\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">announced year-end bonuses<\/a> on the 2025 scale, giving associates an early indication that bigger payouts are far from guaranteed. But with the market yet to fully weigh in, there\u2019s still time for another firm to show associates a little more love \u2014 and money. With all of that background, let\u2019s turn to this year\u2019s raises and bonuses.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Considering current economic conditions, what will 2026 bonuses look like?<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"608\" height=\"346\" src=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/11\/2026BonusChangeVs2025.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1194584\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While most associates (59%) expect bonuses to be in line with 2025, almost 40% think they will be higher. Just 3% expect them to be lower.\u00a0Should associates be expecting higher bonuses this time around? 2026 marks five years since Cravath last increased bonuses, so we may be due for a change sometime soon. Only time will tell, but associates may get lucky this holiday season when it comes to bonus cash.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Do you think your firm will use the year-end bonus announcement to match the Milbank raises and special bonuses?<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"670\" height=\"370\" src=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/11\/2026MilbankMatchExpectations.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1194586\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Approximately two-thirds of associates (66%) expect their firm to match the new Milbank salary scale and special bonuses. Another 12% believe their firm will match only the raises and not the special bonus. Others anticipate special bonuses, which might (3%) or might not (2%) match Milbank\u2019s numbers. Meanwhile, a small number of associates (3%) believe their firm will top Milbank to become the new compensation leader. Biglaw firms better not disappoint, because we can\u2019t even imagine the state of uproar it would cause among associates.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For those of you who are wondering when your bank accounts will be a little more flush, here\u2019s a list of the dates when year-end market bonuses hit Biglaw since 2006, the very first year Above the Law started publishing bonus news. Take a look:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>2025: November 18 (<a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2025\/11\/cravath-starts-biglaws-bonus-season-with-year-end-and-special-bonuses\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cravath<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>2024: November 11 (<a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2024\/11\/milbank-year-end-bonuses-24\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Milbank<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>2023: November 7 (<a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2023\/11\/milbank-raises-associate-salaries-and-announces-year-end-bonuses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Milbank<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>2022: November 21 (<a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2022\/11\/biglaw-bonus-season-begins\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Baker McKenzie<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>2021: November 22 (<a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2021\/11\/first-mover-on-bonus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Cravath<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>2020: November 11 (<a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2020\/11\/breaking-biglaw-bonus-season-comes-early-and-no-its-not-cravath\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Baker McKenzie<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>2019: November 7 (<a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2019\/11\/breaking-biglaw-bonuses-are-here\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Milbank<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>2018: November 19 (<a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2018\/11\/breaking-cravath-announces-annual-bonuses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Cravath<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>2017: November 27 (<a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2017\/11\/associate-bonus-watch-cravath-announces-its-2017-associate-bonuses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Cravath<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>2016: November 28 (<a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2016\/11\/associate-bonus-watch-cravath-announces-its-2016-associate-bonuses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Cravath<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>2015: December 7 (<a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2015\/12\/associate-bonus-watch-cravath-announces-its-2015-associate-bonuses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Cravath<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>2014: November 21 (<a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2014\/11\/bonus-season-comes-early-and-its-not-cravath\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Simpson Thacher<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>2013: December 2 (<a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2013\/12\/breaking-cravath-announces-year-end-bonuses-let-the-2013-bonus-season-begin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Cravath<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>2012: November 26 (<a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2012\/11\/breaking-cravath-announces-year-end-bonuses-let-the-2012-bonus-season-begin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Cravath<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>2011: November 28 (<a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2011\/11\/breaking-cravath-bonuses-are-out-welcome-to-the-2011-bonus-season\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Cravath<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>2010: November 22 (<a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2010\/11\/associate-bonus-watch-the-2010-bonus-season-is-under-way\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Cravath<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>2009: November 2 (<a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2009\/11\/breaking-cravath-bonuses-are-out-and-down\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Cravath<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>2008: November 19 (<a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2008\/11\/associate-bonus-watch-here-comes-skadden\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Skadden<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>2007: October 29 (<a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2007\/10\/cravath-announces-bonuses-special-and-otherwise\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Cravath<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>2006: December 11 (<a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2006\/12\/associate-bonus-watch-cravath-announced-cadwalader-rumored\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Cravath<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the past few years, since 2018, bonus announcements had been made in early to mid-November until Cravath stretched the timeline by a smidge in 2021, followed by Baker McKenzie in 2022. Let\u2019s see when our respondents think this year\u2019s first bonus will be announced. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>When do you think 2026 bonuses will be announced?<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"631\" height=\"371\" src=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/11\/2026BonusAnnouncementPredictions.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1194581\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No one expected DLA\u2019s October 30 announcement, and thus far, no one else has matched. More than 80% of respondents believe that bonuses won\u2019t be announced until mid-November. The most popular predictions are either the week before Thanksgiving (25%) or after December 4 (26%). This (sort of) lines up with past precedent set by Cravath in recent years, if we assume that Cravath will be the first firm of the usual suspects on bonuses this year, that is.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the past, Cravath announced its bonus news on either the last Monday in November or the first Monday in the first week of December. But with other firms in the mix, it\u2019s really hard to say what will happen. There may be no rhyme nor reason when it comes to this year\u2019s big bonus announcements.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While associates are busy counting down the hours until Bonus Day, they\u2019re likely even busier counting up the hours they\u2019re on track to bill in 2026 to meet bonus eligibility targets. Just how much are associates billing now? The answer is\u2026 nearly as much as they billed last year. Here are the full survey results.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How many hours are you on track to bill in 2026?<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"608\" height=\"371\" src=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/11\/2026ExpectedBillableHours.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1194585\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The largest group of associates (24%) said they are on track to bill between 2000 and 2099 hours this year. More than 40 percent (42%) expect to bill even more. These figures are similar to those reported in 2025. Bill, baby, bill \u2014 and hope for even bigger bonuses! Associates tell us that some firms are offering special perks for their hard work, and the most commonly reported incentive is an above-market bonus for high billers. A few associates reported other kinds of perks like 401(k) profit shares and a complimentary vacation package worth $5,000.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check back in with us on bonuses soon, because Biglaw associates are looking forward to their bank accounts being stuffed like the Thanksgiving turkeys they\u2019ll gobble down at the end of the month.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Remember everyone, we depend on your tips to stay on top of important bonus updates, so when your firm announces or matches, please text us (646-820-8477) or\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:tips@abovethelaw.com?subject=%5BFirm%20Name%5D%20Bonus\/Matches\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">email us<\/a>\u00a0(subject line: \u201c[Firm Name] Bonus\/Matches\u201d). Please include the memo if available. You can take a photo of the memo and send it via text or email if you don\u2019t want to forward the original PDF or Word file.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And if you\u2019d like to sign up for ATL\u2019s Bonus Alerts (which is the alert list we also use for salary announcements), please scroll down and enter your email address in the box below this post. If you previously signed up for the bonus alerts, you don\u2019t need to do anything. You\u2019ll receive an email notification within minutes of each bonus announcement that we publish. Thanks for your help!<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/Staci-Zaretsky.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-66762\" title=\"\"><figcaption><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/author\/staci-zaretsky\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Staci Zaretsky<\/a> is the managing editor of Above the Law, where she\u2019s worked since 2011. She\u2019d love to hear from you, so please feel free to <a href=\"mailto:staci@abovethelaw.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">email<\/a> her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on <a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/stacizaretsky.bsky.social\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Bluesky<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/stacizaretsky\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">X\/Twitter<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.threads.net\/@stacizaretsky\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Threads<\/a>, or connect with her on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/staci-zaretsky\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2026\/11\/biglaw-associates-have-their-eyes-on-raises-and-even-bigger-bonuses\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Biglaw Associates Have Their Eyes On Raises And Even Bigger Bonuses<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Above the Law<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-single__featured-image post-single__featured-image--medium alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"151\" src=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/06\/money-hundreds-GettyImages-2177624474-300x151.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bonus season is right around the corner, and Biglaw associates have money on their minds. This year, it\u2019s not just about bonuses \u2014 salary increases are on their wish lists, too. In fact, most of the nearly 350 respondents to our annual bonus season survey expect firms to match Milbank\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2026\/06\/alert-milbank-does-it-again-associate-salaries-are-going-up\/\" id=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2026\/06\/alert-milbank-does-it-again-associate-salaries-are-going-up\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">raises<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2026\/07\/summer-surprise-milbank-announces-special-bonuses-up-to-25k\/\" id=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2026\/07\/summer-surprise-milbank-announces-special-bonuses-up-to-25k\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">special bonuses<\/a>. When it comes to year-end bonuses, the majority anticipate the same payouts as last year, while more than a third think firms will be more generous. Considering the bonus scale hasn\u2019t budged since 2021 \u2014 and the last increase before that came in 2014 \u2014 associates are understandably ready for firms to sweeten the deal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a little reminder, this is what the Milbank raises and special bonuses look like:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Class of 2026\/2025: $235,000 \/ $6,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2024: $245,000 \/ $10,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2023: $270,000 \/ $15,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2022: $320,000 \/ $20,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2021: $385,000 \/ $25,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2020: $410,000 \/ $25,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2019: $440,000 \/ $25,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2018: $455,000 \/ $25.000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is what last year\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2025\/11\/cravath-starts-biglaws-bonus-season-with-year-end-and-special-bonuses\/\" id=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2025\/11\/cravath-starts-biglaws-bonus-season-with-year-end-and-special-bonuses\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cravath bonuses<\/a> (including Milbank\u2019s special bonuses) looked like:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Class of 2025: $15,000 \/ $6,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2024: $20,000 \/ $6,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2023: $30,000 \/ $10,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2022: $57,500 \/ $15,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2021: $75,000 \/ $20,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2020: $90,000 \/ $25,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2019: $105,000 \/ $25,000<\/li>\n<li>Class of 2018: $115,000 \/ $25,000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cravath has yet to match Milbank\u2019s salary increases or special bonuses, but other firms are finally stepping up to the plate and announcing salary increases without the perennial compensation leader\u2019s seal of approval. In fact, DLA Piper has already <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2026\/10\/dla-piper-matches-milbank-then-piles-on-even-more-bonus-cash\/\" id=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/2026\/10\/dla-piper-matches-milbank-then-piles-on-even-more-bonus-cash\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">announced year-end bonuses<\/a> on the 2025 scale, giving associates an early indication that bigger payouts are far from guaranteed. But with the market yet to fully weigh in, there\u2019s still time for another firm to show associates a little more love \u2014 and money. With all of that background, let\u2019s turn to this year\u2019s raises and bonuses.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Considering current economic conditions, what will 2026 bonuses look like?<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"608\" height=\"346\" src=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/11\/2026BonusChangeVs2025.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1194584\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While most associates (59%) expect bonuses to be in line with 2025, almost 40% think they will be higher. Just 3% expect them to be lower.\u00a0Should associates be expecting higher bonuses this time around? 2026 marks five years since Cravath last increased bonuses, so we may be due for a change sometime soon. Only time will tell, but associates may get lucky this holiday season when it comes to bonus cash.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Do you think your firm will use the year-end bonus announcement to match the Milbank raises and special bonuses?<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"670\" height=\"370\" src=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/11\/2026MilbankMatchExpectations.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1194586\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Approximately two-thirds of associates (66%) expect their firm to match the new Milbank salary scale and special bonuses. Another 12% believe their firm will match only the raises and not the special bonus. Others anticipate special bonuses, which might (3%) or might not (2%) match Milbank\u2019s numbers. Meanwhile, a small number of associates (3%) believe their firm will top Milbank to become the new compensation leader. Biglaw firms better not disappoint, because we can\u2019t even imagine the state of uproar it would cause among associates.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For those of you who are wondering when your bank accounts will be a little more flush, here\u2019s a list of the dates when year-end market bonuses hit Biglaw since 2006, the very first year Above the Law started publishing bonus news. Take a look:<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the past few years, since 2018, bonus announcements had been made in early to mid-November until Cravath stretched the timeline by a smidge in 2021, followed by Baker McKenzie in 2022. Let\u2019s see when our respondents think this year\u2019s first bonus will be announced. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>When do you think 2026 bonuses will be announced?<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"631\" height=\"371\" src=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/11\/2026BonusAnnouncementPredictions.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1194581\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No one expected DLA\u2019s October 30 announcement, and thus far, no one else has matched. More than 80% of respondents believe that bonuses won\u2019t be announced until mid-November. The most popular predictions are either the week before Thanksgiving (25%) or after December 4 (26%). This (sort of) lines up with past precedent set by Cravath in recent years, if we assume that Cravath will be the first firm of the usual suspects on bonuses this year, that is.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the past, Cravath announced its bonus news on either the last Monday in November or the first Monday in the first week of December. But with other firms in the mix, it\u2019s really hard to say what will happen. There may be no rhyme nor reason when it comes to this year\u2019s big bonus announcements.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While associates are busy counting down the hours until Bonus Day, they\u2019re likely even busier counting up the hours they\u2019re on track to bill in 2026 to meet bonus eligibility targets. Just how much are associates billing now? The answer is\u2026 nearly as much as they billed last year. Here are the full survey results.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How many hours are you on track to bill in 2026?<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"608\" height=\"371\" src=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/11\/2026ExpectedBillableHours.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1194585\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The largest group of associates (24%) said they are on track to bill between 2000 and 2099 hours this year. More than 40 percent (42%) expect to bill even more. These figures are similar to those reported in 2025. Bill, baby, bill \u2014 and hope for even bigger bonuses! Associates tell us that some firms are offering special perks for their hard work, and the most commonly reported incentive is an above-market bonus for high billers. A few associates reported other kinds of perks like 401(k) profit shares and a complimentary vacation package worth $5,000.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check back in with us on bonuses soon, because Biglaw associates are looking forward to their bank accounts being stuffed like the Thanksgiving turkeys they\u2019ll gobble down at the end of the month.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Remember everyone, we depend on your tips to stay on top of important bonus updates, so when your firm announces or matches, please text us (646-820-8477) or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#a6d2cfd6d5e6c7c4c9d0c3d2cec3cac7d188c5c9cb99d5d3c4ccc3c5d29b8393e4e0cfd4cb839496e8c7cbc38393e2839496e4c9c8d3d589ebc7d2c5cec3d5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">email us<\/a>\u00a0(subject line: \u201c[Firm Name] Bonus\/Matches\u201d). Please include the memo if available. You can take a photo of the memo and send it via text or email if you don\u2019t want to forward the original PDF or Word file.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And if you\u2019d like to sign up for ATL\u2019s Bonus Alerts (which is the alert list we also use for salary announcements), please scroll down and enter your email address in the box below this post. If you previously signed up for the bonus alerts, you don\u2019t need to do anything. You\u2019ll receive an email notification within minutes of each bonus announcement that we publish. Thanks for your help!<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/11\/Staci-Zaretsky.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-66762\" title=\"\"><figcaption><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/author\/staci-zaretsky\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Staci Zaretsky<\/a> is the managing editor of Above the Law, where she\u2019s worked since 2011. She\u2019d love to hear from you, so please feel free to <a href=\"https:\/\/abovethelaw.com\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#582b2c393b3118393a372e3d2c303d34392f763b3735\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">email<\/a> her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on <a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/stacizaretsky.bsky.social\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Bluesky<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/stacizaretsky\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">X\/Twitter<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.threads.net\/@stacizaretsky\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Threads<\/a>, or connect with her on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/staci-zaretsky\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bonus season is right around the corner, and Biglaw associates have money on their minds. This year, it\u2019s not just about bonuses \u2014 salary increases are on their wish lists, too. In fact, most of the nearly 350 respondents to our annual bonus season survey expect firms to match Milbank\u2019s raises and special bonuses. When [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":166834,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-166833","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-above_the_law"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/166833","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=166833"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/166833\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/166834"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=166833"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=166833"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=166833"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}