As more law firms examine and adjust their partner pay systems, the use of bonus pools has become a popular method to reward star performers.

Just look to Cravath, Swaine & Moore, which has created a bonus pool funded by 15% of points from each partner, according to two sources familiar with the arrangement. The pool, dispersed at the discretion of firm management, will be awarded to whoever the firm considers high performers. Exactly how the firm determines the high performers is not clear.