Clifford Chance's associate bonus rates will stay stagnant for a sixth year, matching the rates set this week by U.S. heavyweight firms Milbank and Cravath Swaine & Moore.

First-year associates at the Magic Circle firm who are based in the U.S. will take home a bonus of $15,000.

For lawyers who started at the firm in the classes of 2011 and 2012, they have the opportunity to pick up bonuses of $100,000 – the same as the firm has offered for the past five years.

All bonuses are to be paid in January 2020.

The firm follows in the footsteps of Milbank, which beat the rush of firms announcing associate bonuses last Thursday (November 7), with Cravath following suit yesterday (November 11) to match Milbank's rate.

A battle to offer the best compensation packages to junior lawyers has been growing fiercer in recent years. Earlier this year, CC boosted its pay for its newly qualified lawyers in London to £100,000 inclusive of bonuses, as law firms battle to stay competitive in the City by raising rates for junior lawyers.

Clifford Chance U.S. associate bonus scale in full

2019 – $15,000 (pro-rated)

2018 – $15,000

2017 – $25,000

2016 – $50,000

2015 – $65,000

2014 – $80,000

2013 – $90,000

2012 – $100,000

2011 and senior – $100,000