Federal clerkships are prestigious, demanding jobs, and top litigation firms are willing to pay handsomely for lawyers who have completed one. Clerkship bonuses have already climbed well into six figures, but sources tell us that one leading litigation boutique is raising the stakes again come 2027, offering a previously unheard of sum to federal clerks joining the firm in the new year.
That firm is Hueston Hennigan. Beginning next year, the firm will offer $205,000 for all federal clerkships, once again making it the market leader. Astute observers of the legal market probably aren’t surprised by the news — Hueston Hennigan has a reputation of being incredibly generous with compensation. The firm was one of the first to offer special summer bonuses, and one of the first to match Milbank’s new salary scale.
Hueston Hennigan last set the pace in March 2025, when it raised its clerkship bonus to $180,000. Since then, other litigation powerhouses have moved into the same range. Susman Godfrey and Munger Tolles & Olson offer $180,000 for one clerkship and $200,000 for multiple clerkships. Quinn Emanuel offers $175,000 for one federal clerkship and $200,000 for two.
With the rush on top talent in a still hot lateral market, what are other firms waiting for? Don’t they want to capture some of the magic that former federal clerks can offer? If you have information about any firm’s clerkship bonuses, you should email us or text us (646-820-8477) with all the details. Thanks.
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
