Allen & Overy (A&O) and Clifford Chance (CC) have raised their US associate salaries to keep pace with the Manhattan pay war, with magic circle rivals Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Linklaters poised to follow.

A&O and CC have announced they are raising salaries for first-year lawyers to the new benchmark of $160,000 (£81,000) and lifting rates across the board, with senior associates in line to pocket around $280,000 (£142,000).