New York’s biggest firms have refused to increase their year-end associate bonuses, sticking to around $30,000 (£15,500) for newly-qualified lawyers and $65,000 (£33,500) for senior associates.

Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy was the first firm to announce its year-end bonus for 2006. Its decision to match its 2005 offering was quickly replicated by several other top US firms, including Cravath Swaine & Moore and Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft.