Choose-Your-Billable-Hours Model May Be Future of Associate Pay

Jan. 14, 2025, 4:26 PM UTC

Big Law associates often feel they have little control over their pay or their time.

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But Steptoe’s new compensation model will allow associates to choose a 1800-, 2000-, or 2200-billable-hour track with a corresponding pay scale.

On this episode of On the Merits, Kate Reder Sheikh, partner at Major, Lindsey & Africa, shares how a tiered compensation plan could benefit both associates and law firms—and what the risks are. She also gives the latest industry updates on return-to-office issues and lateral moves for 2025.

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To contact the reporter on this story: Jessie Kokrda Kamens in Washington at jkamens@bloomberglaw.com

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Gregory Henderson at ghenderson@bloombergindustry.com

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