Every year around this time, a top-ranked U.S.-based law firm fires the first shot. It announces a new associate pay scale and annual bonuses, sending the U.S. industry into a tizzy as firm after firm considers whether to match, or even exceed the new rates, and prompting non-U.S. firms to shake their heads in disbelief at the amount of money thrown at newly minted associates who don't know the first thing about practicing law.