White & Case Nudges London Salaries Up 2 Percent

Jeremy Hodges

Legal Week

May 15, 2008

White & Case has become the latest firm to announce increases to its U.K. associate salaries, with the firm unveiling raises of 2.1 percent for its junior lawyers.

A newly-qualified solicitor (NQ) at the U.S. giant will now earn 78,000 pounds ($152,000) -- an increase of 2,000 pounds ($3,900) on the previous year's figure of 76,000 pounds ($148,000). Assistants with one year post-qualification experience (PQE) will be in line for 86,000 pounds ($167,600) and 97,000 pounds ($189,000) the year after. Three years' PQE solicitors at White & Case will now pocket a base rate of 108,000 pounds ($210,200), climbing to 126,000 pounds ($245,300) after four years.

Trainees salaries remain unchanged, with those taking their first seat set to rake in 41,000 pounds ($80,000).

The news comes after the firm last year hiked rates substantially, with assistants picking up inflation-busting raises of between 12 and 18 percent.

Rival U.S. firm Shearman & Sterling last month announced increases of 7 percent for its junior lawyers, meaning NQs at the firm now earn more than at New York rival White & Case. Shearman NQs are in line for 80,000 pounds ($156,000) -- up from 75,000 pounds ($146,000) -- after the latest increases.

Many leading U.K. firms have introduced more modest raises, with Magic Circle giants Linklaters and Clifford Chance both hiking salaries by around 4 percent.

By contrast, Herbert Smith and Allen & Overy both opted to freeze associate salaries at their current levels.