Hengeler Mueller is the latest major law firm to enter the intensifying pay war in Europe, increasing pay for its newly qualified (NQ) lawyers by more than a third, surpassing many of its German and international rivals.

Starting from January 2022, NQs at the firm can earn a maximum of €160,000. NQs can expect to receive a base salary of €150,000 a year, plus an additional €10,000 sign-on bonus for those with an LLM—up by €40,000 on the current sums of €110,000, or €120,000 with an LLM.