In the competitive landscape of legal compensation, New York-based law firm Seward & Kissel has announced a robust bonus schedule for its associates, rewarding those who have shown exceptional billing performance. The firm, a stalwart in the legal community for over 135 years, is on the forefront of offering financial incentives that go beyond the standard industry benchmark set by firms like Milbank.
Following the tradition of matching year-end bonuses and special bonuses, Seward & Kissel’s bonus grid is structured to incentivize associates based on their class year. Eligible associates—those with at least 2,000 total hours including 1,850 billable hours—are receiving the following bonuses:
- Class of 2023 – $20,000
- Class of 2022 – $30,000
- Class of 2021 – $57,500
- Class of 2020 – $75,000
- Class of 2019 – $90,000
- Class of 2018 – $105,000
- Class of 2017+ – $115,000
Seward & Kissel also offers a separate tier of special bonuses, designed especially for associates who meet an increased billing standard of 2,200 total hours. This includes significant financial increments for associates, reflecting the firm’s commitment to recognizing sustained high performance.
- Class of 2023 – $6,000
- Class of 2022 – $10,000
- Class of 2021 – $15,000
- Class of 2020 – $20,000
- Class of 2019 – $25,000
- Class of 2018 – $25,000
- Class of 2017+ – $25,000
Furthermore, for those associates who substantially exceed these expectations, the firm provides an opportunity for even larger bonuses. This multi-tiered approach highlights Seward & Kissel’s strategy in retaining top talent by offering financial incentives that are directly linked to the hours billed by associates. For more details, you can read the full coverage on Above the Law.