Several of the country’s biggest law firms are awarding their associates tens of thousands of dollars in “pandemic bonuses” to show appreciation for hard work during a stressful time, but some corporate clients are worried that they will ultimately pick up the tab.
Around a dozen Big Law firms have announced special fall bonuses since September. Many range from $7,500 to $40,000 based on a seniority-dependent scale first used by Davis Polk & Wardwell. Many firms have said they will also pay out their traditional annual bonuses that topped out at over $100,000 last year.
“I understand that law firms ...