Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is raising its salaries for US associates to match the rates set by Cravath Swaine & Moore.

The magic circle firm's US associates will now be paid starting salaries of $190,000 (£143,000), rising to $350,000 (£266,000) for the class of 2009 and above.

It will also hand out summer bonuses of up to $25,000 (£19,000), following the same move by magic circle rival Clifford Chance last week.

Milbank set a new standard for associate pay at the start of the month, although just one week later it was bettered by Cravath, which matched its salaries for its junior associates while also going beyond Milbank's rates for mid-level and senior associates by $5,000-$10,000.

Linklaters and Allen & Overy are yet to confirm whether they will match Milbank or Cravath's rates.

Matching Milbank, the new associate pay scale for Freshfields' US associates will be:

  • 1st year – $190,000 (£143,000)
  • 2nd year – $200,000 (£151,000)
  • 3rd year – $220,000 (£166,000)
  • 4th year – $255,000 (£194,000)
  • 5th year – $280,000 (£213,000)
  • 6th year – $305,000 (£232,000)
  • 7th year – $325,000 (£247,000)
  • 8th year – $340,000 (£258,000)

Meanwhile, Quinn Emanuel, which last week matched Cravath's rates for its US associates, has set out new salary bands for lawyers in its London office.

While the firm's City lawyers will be paid slightly below New York rates, all bands are being raised by 6%-19%, with the class of 2013 receiving the steepest percentage increase – up £30,000 from £155,000 to £185,000.

  • Class of 2017 – £125,000 (up from £115,000)
  • Class of 2016 – £133,000 (up from £125,000)
  • Class of 2015 – £145,000 (up from £135,000)
  • Class of 2014 – £170,000 (up from £145,000)
  • Class of 2013 – £185,000 (up from £155,000)
  • Class of 2012 – £200,000 (up from £170,000)
  • Class of 2011 – £215,000 (up from £185,000)
  • Class of 2010 – £225,000-£245,000 (up from £195,000-£215,000)