Philadelphia-based firm Hangley Aronchick Segal & Pudlin has announced that it has raised its starting salary from $125,000 to $135,000, effective July 1. 44-lawyer Hangley Aronchick is the first Philly firm with less than 50 attorneys to pay $135,000 to first-year associates. Concerning the raise, firm leaders have remarked that they are just trying to stay competitive with the market. Firms such as Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll; Duane Morris; Blank Rome; Wolf, Block, Schorr & Solis-Cohen; and DLA Piper have already raised to $135,000. Other firms like Morgan, Lewis & Bockius; Dechert; Drinker Biddle & Reath; and Pepper Hamilton are up to $145,000 in Philly. Many corporate clients are speaking out against the outbreak of associate raises. Because they are the ones that will mostly pay for these increases, many clients feel that they should be a part of the discussions.
Source: www.law.com