Hogan Lovells Reverses Course, Rolls Out More Associate Bonuses

Hogan Lovells is handing out a second round of associate bonuses after initially falling short of the standard set by Big Law competitors.

The international law firm is giving associates special bonuses ranging from $6,000 to $25,000, based on seniority, a Hogan Lovells spokesperson said Sunday. That’s on top of year-end bonuses, ranging $20,000 to $115,000, announced by the firm earlier this month.

“The firm made this decision following discussions with associates, partners, and other stakeholders,” the spokesperson said in a statement to Bloomberg Law. “An important part of our culture as a firm is that we listen, and we have made this decision after careful consultation.”

The decision comes after Perkins Coie—the only other Big Law firm to opt of the additional, special bonuses—said on Friday that it would now be giving its associates the extra cash.

Both firms are now matching the two bonuses on the scales set by Milbank LLP and followed by several firms. Hogan Lovells also said associates who exceed an unidentified minimum hours mark will receive additional bonus money, beyond the Milbank scale.

“As an entrepreneurial firm, we have created a bonus structure that rewards top performers, as well as provides origination, business generation, and other discretionary bonuses,” the firm spokesperson said.