The US’ top company lawyers last year bucked continued plunges in corporate earnings to chalk up a collective 9% hike in pay, according to a major survey of general counsel at the top 100 US companies.

The annual compensation survey by Corporate Counsel magazine, found median average combined earnings for top 100 general counsel last year passed the $1m (£618,770) mark, matching the boom year of 2000, which was bolstered by soaring stock-related bonuses.