Linklaters has joined its magic circle competitors in raising its salaries for US associates, matching the rates set by Cravath Swaine & Moore earlier this month.

The firm will match the associate pay rates announced on Monday (11 June) by Cravath, which surpassed the pay scale set by Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy in May.

Linklaters' US associates will now be paid between $190,000 (£143,000) for first-years and $350,000 (£263,000) for those in the class of 2009 and more senior.

The move follows that of fellow magic circle firm Allen & Overy earlier today, when it announced it would be raising its US associates pay to match Cravath. The entire magic circle has now raised its rates, after Clifford Chance and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer both made the move earlier this month.

Other firms to have matched the pay scale and bonuses set by Cravath include Latham & Watkins, Kirkland & Ellis, Herbert Smith Freehills, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom, Davis Polk & Wardwell, Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan and Sullivan & Cromwell.

As of 1 July 2018, the new associate pay scale for Linklaters US associates will be:

  • Class of 2017 – $190,000
  • Class of 2016 – $200,000
  • Class of 2015 – $220,000
  • Class of 2014 – $255,000
  • Class of 2013 – $280,000
  • Class of 2012 – $305,000
  • Class of 2011 – $325,000
  • Class of 2010 – $340,000
  • Class of 2009 and more senior – $350,000