As most of you know, we have instituted various prudent and significant cost-cutting measures in recent months. As part of this effort, we have decided to keep base salaries for associates progressing to the next class year at 2008 levels for 2009. As the year progresses, we will evaluate whether to provide class increases. [emphasis ours]

The good news is:

Eligible associates will be receiving bonuses for 2008; we will be announcing bonus decisions in February for those who have not received their bonuses already.

ATL has more quotes, including this amusing triple-negative you can spend a few hours parsing:

The fact that THIS year you don’t have an increase yet WITHOUT any firmwide announcement (which has NEVER happened, btw) doesn’t mean anything.

Ah, English. If only there were some free school you could attend for 12 years, and learn to speak it.

• Are Biglaw Firms Freezing Salaries Without Telling Anyone?
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Each of you is aware of what is going on in the world economy in general, and in the legal market in particular. The Executive Committee and our Firm’s senior managerial and financial officers, Bob Zuber and Kevin Combs, have been working hard over the past several months to ensure Sheppard Mullin’s continued financial strength through the current economic downturn. We feel it is critical to rigorously control expenses during these times. As part of our management of expenses, we have decided to “freeze” Associate compensation for 2009. This means your base compensation will be the same as in 2008. Special Counsel and Senior Attorney compensation will also be frozen, with minor exceptions.

We trust you understand this decision is a reflection of the market and not how we value any of you. We are very proud of our attorneys and the superior service, quality and value you provide to our clients.

Bob Zuber and I will be making our annual State of the Firm presentations in each office at the end of January and beginning of February. As usual, we will have an open forum to address any questions you have. Should you have any questions in the meantime, please direct them to Robert Beall, Bob Neufeld, Bob Zuber or me.

Thank you for your hard work and many contributions in 2008 and best wishes to all of you for 2009.

-Guy [N. Halgren] and The Executive Committee

I’m not sure why “Guy” felt the “need” to place the “word” “freeze” in “quotes.” But I’m sure associates will “love” his “friendly” and “avuncular” “style” as they sell off their home gym equipment to “pay” “off” their student loans.

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