New York’s Boutique Law Firms Compete with Giants by Matching Cravath Scale for Associates

Many of New York’s top boutique law firms, such as Holwell Shuster & Goldberg and Cohen Ziffer Frenchman & McKenna, are staying competitive in associate compensation and retention by maintaining salaries close to or on the Cravath scale. This strategy allows these boutiques to effectively compete with larger firms like Kirkland & Ellis for top legal talent. Despite offering more hands-on experience and faster partnership tracks, these boutiques are not shying away from high annual billable hour requirements, with many demanding nearly 2,000 billable hours from their associates annually. For additional insights on how these firms are navigating the competitive landscape, read more here.