Linklaters has announced across-the-board increases in its junior salary bands, with newly-qualified (NQ) associates seeing the biggest pay rise with an extra £2,500 on last year.

The firm confirmed its new pay bands today (7 May), becoming the second magic circle firm to unveil 2013-14 associate salaries after Slaughter and May last week.

The increases will see NQ lawyers earn £64,000 from 1 May, up 4.1% from £61,500 last year.

Lawyers with two years' PQE will earn £78,250, £2,250 more than last year's salary of £76,000, while the firm is raising the rate for lawyers with three years' PQE by £1,000 to £89,000, while lawyers with one year PQE will earn £69,500, up from £69,000 last year.

Pay for trainees is up £500 from £39,000 in 2012 to £39,500.

A Linklaters spokesperson commented: "As part of the firm's strategy to attract and retain the best talent, we are committed to offering a highly competitive remuneration package. In addition, the firm's well-established bonus scheme, which is available to all levels of legal staff, from trainees through to counsel, will continue to reward exceptional performance."

Slaughter and May last Tuesday also announced increases in pay for junior lawyers across the board, following a pay freeze last year for all those other than lawyers with two years' PQE.

The increases, which will take effect from 1 May, has seen the firm raise rates for NQ lawyers by 2.4% to £63,000, with lawyers with between one year and three years' post-qualification experience gaining increases of between 0.7% and 2%.

Linklaters 2013 junior pay bands (2012 in brackets):

Trainees year 1: £39,500 (£39,000)
NQ: £64,000 (£61,500)
One year PQE: £69,500 (£69,000)
Two years' PQE: £78,250 (£76,000)
Three years' PQE: £89,000 (£88,000)

Slaughter and May 2013 junior pay bands (2012 in brackets):

Trainee year 1: £39,000 (£38,000)
Trainee year 2: £44,000 (£43,000)
NQ: £63,000 (£61,500)
One year PQE: £69,500 (£69,000)
Two years' PQE: £78,000 (£76,500)
Three years' PQE: £87,500 (£86,000)

For more, see Slaughters becomes first magic circle firm to announce 2013 pay increases.

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