Big Law Salary Increase

[AllWellAndGood]

So what does it look like then, $25k up in Toronto and $10k up in Vancouver? What about Calgary?

[smokedsalmonisgreat]

@AllWellAndGood

I’ve been trying to figure that out as well...I heard something around the lines of $20k for each year but can be mistaken

[Gonewest]

Calgary Update

Confirmed raises at BLG, Blakes, Osler, NRF and Stikes. Maybe Torys. BDP has acknowledged but hasn't raised yet. 10k raises for 2019 call years and newer, 15k years for 2019 and older (old in brackets):

• 2021: ? (85-92k)
• 2020: 115k (105k)
• 2019: 145k (130k)
• 2018: 165k (150k)
• 2017: 185k (170k)
• etc.

Edited October 23, 2021 by Gonewest

[minesandminerals]

3 hours ago, Gonewest said:

Calgary Update

Confirmed raises at BLG, Blakes, Osler, NRF and Stikes. Maybe Torys. BDP has acknowledged but hasn't raised yet. 10k raises for 2019 call years and newer, 15k years for 2019 and older (old in brackets):

• 2021: ? (85-92k)
• 2020: 115k (105k)
• 2019: 145k (130k)
• 2018: 165k (150k)
• 2017: 185k (170k)
• etc.

I can confirm that this isn’t entirely accurate. That said, it’s been a confounding couple of weeks. The reluctance of Calgary firms to move on associate comp made my decision to accept a US lateral offer a lot easier (not that the raise would have ultimately made a difference, even with the raise I’ll still double my base comp by heading down south). 

[Chrysander]

56 minutes ago, minesandminerals said:

I can confirm that this isn’t entirely accurate. That said, it’s been a confounding couple of weeks. The reluctance of Calgary firms to move on associate comp made my decision to accept a US lateral offer a lot easier (not that the raise would have ultimately made a difference, even with the raise I’ll still double my base comp by heading down south). 

You go girl!

[mtler]

Montreal seems to be doling out increases as well. Some firms have already announced (Norton, Gowlings, Fasken), others shortly. There seems to be a certain level of coordination between them to hop on the same scale (other than Davies and Stikeman who are higher, as always), which seems to be about 15k less than Toronto at all levels (though Montreal salaries are generally not in lock step as of year 4 and the difference between a lower performer and higher performer can be up to 25k for base pay). 

 

[SixthSister]

Goodmans officially announced raises this morning 

[WhoKnows]

It seems the only unannounced at this point is Bennett Jones and whether they're moving up the scale. 

[C_Terror]

29 minutes ago, WhoKnows said:

It seems the only unannounced at this point is Bennett Jones and whether they're moving up the scale. 

Seems inevitable. One of their main selling points and way to poach/attract talent was that they always paid more than other firms with the exception of Davies.

[smokedsalmonisgreat]

Any word on firms like weirfoulds, Gowlings, Miller Thomson, Aird Berlis or firms in this market?

[Chrysander]

There seem to be a few firms that haven’t announced raised. 

[smokedsalmonisgreat]

@Chrysander I wonder if the mid sized firms will match or create a division

[Chrysander]

Midsized firms often do not pay the same salaries. 

[Toronto07]

Dentons confirmed raises this afternoon. 

[Lufty123]

16 hours ago, smokedsalmonisgreat said:

Any word on firms like weirfoulds, Gowlings, Miller Thomson, Aird Berlis or firms in this market?

Gowlings - no formal confirmation but I've heard rumours they are adopting the raise. Haven't heard a confirmation from the other three but I don't think they have a choice at this point. 

[QueensGrad]

Any word on Bennett Jones?

[mtler]

On 10/26/2021 at 7:50 AM, Lufty123 said:

Gowlings - no formal confirmation but I've heard rumours they are adopting the raise. Haven't heard a confirmation from the other three but I don't think they have a choice at this point. 

Gowlings Montreal announced raises last week. I assume Toronto will follow soon.

[smokedsalmonisgreat]

Any updates on any other firms

[JohnsonWest]

Any news on Vancouver? 

[Chuck]

17 hours ago, mtler said:

Gowlings Montreal announced raises last week. I assume Toronto will follow soon.

Any idea what the new Montreal scale is (roughly)?

[mtler]

1 hour ago, Chuck said:

Any idea what the new Montreal scale is (roughly)?

From what I've gathered, roughly 15k less than the Toronto scale for more recent calls, 20-25k less for more senior associates.

[Hitman9172]

12 hours ago, JohnsonWest said:

Any news on Vancouver? 

From what I've heard, Osler, Blakes, BLG, McCarthy's, and Cassels Brock have given raises in Vancouver. Everyone else did $10k raise (1-3 year call) or $15k raise (4+ year call) depending on seniority, but Cassels matched Toronto scale and did $20k and $25k raise). Most firms saying raises will be given at end of Feb, retroactive to January 1st. I expect all of the other big firms in Van will fall in line soon, if they haven't already.

[Freshtransplant]

12 hours ago, JohnsonWest said:

Any news on Vancouver? 

Blake’s has confirmed the following scale (McCarthys, Gowlings and BLG apparently matched but can’t confirm). Other big firms seem to be following suite based on what my peers at those firms are saying:

Stub Year: $115,000

2nd Year: $127,000

3rd Year: $142,000

4th: $157,000

5th: $175,000

6th: $190,000

7th: $200,000

[Letsgo1234]

On 10/25/2021 at 3:48 PM, smokedsalmonisgreat said:

Any word on firms like weirfoulds, Gowlings, Miller Thomson, Aird Berlis or firms in this market?

Miller Thomson just sent out an email confirming the raises 

[JaneDoe]

Who, in Toronto, hasn’t announced at this point? 

Edited October 28, 2021 by JaneDoe