The ripple effects of the latest associate pay raises by Cravath, Swaine & Moore, following bids by Milbank and Davis Polk & Wardwell earlier this year, are being felt throughout the industry, as Am Law 100 firms reassess their compensation structure to ward off poaching while hiring to fill their talent needs.

“A lot of firms are reexamining their compensation systems,” Steve Kruza, a recruiter placing candidates in Pennsylvania and Delaware, said. “Some have already started to respond by raising salaries. The pressure is a very real thing.”