Davis Polk & Wardwell’s announcement that it was modifying its lockstep system comes at a time of a widening spread between the highest-paid and lowest-paid partners at Am Law 100 firms, and in the midst of a talent war that has grown more contentious during the pandemic.

Firms have traditionally broken their lockstep systems to retain their next-generation leaders and their highest performers and to also recruit talent who want to be paid at market rate.