Texas-based firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld has surprised its New York rivals by handing out record associate bonuses that can reach $76,400 (£54,019).

The top rate, which will only be available to Akin Gump’s New York lawyers, is 50% higher than the standard for the leading East Coast firms which have set a range of $20,000 (£13,936) to $50,000 (£34,843) in the recent annual bonus round.