is the first top U.K. law firm to announce associate salary rates for 2010, with the firm lifting the freeze on associate lockstep put in place last year. The firm told staff yesterday that the freeze would be lifted at the start of the new financial year. Beginning in May associates will move through the pay scale as normal but the pay levels themselves will not be increased. The new qualified rate (reduced last year), will remain at 59,000 pounds ($80,000), while a one year qualified attorney will make 66,000 pounds ($89,500), a lawyer with two years experience will make 73,000 pounds ($99,000) and a three year qualified lawyer will make 86,000 pounds ($116,600).
The firm said in a statement, “We have decided that there will not be a salary freeze for the coming financial year. While the outlook globally is still uncertain, our people have worked very hard to help our clients and the firm through the challenges of the last year or so, and we are grateful for the contribution everyone has made.”
London based Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is a general practice firm with 2,700 attorneys and 27 offices globally.
