Sullivan & Cromwell has opted not to raise first-year associate bonus or salary bands for 2005, Legal Week can reveal, with the New York leader sticking to 2004′s bonus rate of $30,000 (£17,450) and starting salary of $125,000 (£72,700).

The 600-lawyer firm revealed its pay bands yesterday (17 November), which sees year-end bonuses for first-year associates stay at $30,000 (£17,450), with the most senior associates receiving $50,000 (£29,100).