Freshfields office in Washington, D.C.
Sometimes, attack is the best form of defence. Perhaps this explains why Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer decided to spark a full-blown pay war in the U.K. when it announced in May it was increasing its salary for newly qualified lawyers to £100,000 (about $126,000).
The decision was significant not just because the move forced the rest of the market to follow suit – Slaughter and May, Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance and others have all matched it – but also because it hints at a new mindset for the Magic Circle firm.
