Editor’s Note: This story is part of a series on how the highly competitive talent market in the legal industry is reshaping hiring norms in the legal profession. Check out earlier stories here and here.

If the latest salary increases across Big Law are any indication, demand for associates has likely never been higher in recent years. In particular, a crush of deal work has prompted law firms to dig deeper to attract and retain mid-level associates in mergers and acquisitions, private equity and capital markets.

Credit: Chelsey Fredlund/ALM