Morrison Cohen Leaders Tout Revised Pay for Firm Originators

The leaders of the midsize Manhattan firm Morrison Cohen are defending changes to the law firm’s pay system following a wave of recent partner departures.

“When change is made to a system that has been pretty much static for most of its history, it has the inevitable feel of disruptiveness to people that are there,” Y. David Scharf, the firm’s co-managing partner, said in an interview. “Change can make people uncomfortable.”

The firm has moved away from an “eat what you kill” pay system, according to Scharf and Steve Cooperman, who is also co-managing partner. It has trimmed valuable “origination ...