Biglaw associates have spent the last few days doing what they do best when compensation news breaks: refreshing Above the Law, obsessively texting group chats, and wondering whether their own firm is about to make an announcement. Ever since Milbank kicked off the latest round of salary increases, the market has been moving quickly to catch up. Now, another a firm known for rewarding its hardest workers come bonus time is bumping up salaries for associates across the board.
The latest firm to announce is Katten Muchin. The firm brought in $912,273,000 gross revenue in 2025, putting it at No. 66 in the most recent Am Law 100, and it’s chosen to use the Milbank scale (for the most part) for its salary increases. Check out the firm’s new compensation grid.
The firm’s summer associates will see their salaries raised as well.
Gil Soffer, Katten’s chairman, had this to say about the firm’s compensation move:
“Our associates are integral to our exceptional client service and to the continued success of our firm. This investment reflects our commitment to recognizing and rewarding the talent, dedication and contributions of our attorneys while ensuring that Katten remains highly competitive in attracting and retaining the industry’s top talent. As we continue to execute on the goals of Katten 2030, our strategic plan for sustained growth and excellence, investing in our people remains one of our highest priorities.”
On that note, it’s worth mentioning that just like the last time the Biglaw salary scale went up, Katten’s most senior associates — those in the Class of 2018 and beyond — are not being offered Milbank’s top salary ($455,000), but instead will receive the same salary as the Class of 2019 ($440,000), putting those attorneys below market. On the other hand, based on past precedent, we know that associates who have really billed their butts off come year end likely stand to make above-market bonuses, with the firm’s most senior associates usually eligible to receive tens of thousands of dollars more than their peers at other firms. On top of these elevated bonuses for high billers, the Katten has previously offered additional “superstar” bonuses available for the most dedicated associates.
Congratulations to everyone at Katten!
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Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.
