CONTACT: Amy E. Tinsley (713) 653-7871
atinsley@susmangodfrey.com
Top Litigation Boutique Susman Godfrey Raises Associates Salaries in Los Angeles & New York office
May 8, 2007 -- Susman Godfrey announced today a salary increase for their associates in Los Angeles and New York. The compensation package for first year associates joining their Los Angeles and New York offices is $160,000, plus benefits. Already among the best paid associates nation-wide, the compensation package for first year associates in their Houston, Dallas, and Seattle offices is $140,000, plus benefits.
Associates’ base salaries are as follows:
| Associate Year | Base Salary | Base Salary |
| 1st | $140,000 | $160,000 |
| 2nd | $145,000 | $170,000 |
Susman Godfrey also pays year end merit bonuses to associates who have been with the firm for at least one year. Last year, associate bonuses topped out at $120,000. In 2005, some associates received a walloping $150,000 in year-end perks. More commonly, our merit bonuses have accounted for 20% to 60% of an associate's annual compensation and are far in excess of bonuses paid by our competitors. Thus, associates' year-end merit bonuses tend to range from an additional $30,000 to $80,000 on top of the base salary. Merit bonuses take into account each associate's work and results, as well as the firm's overall success that year.
In addition to salary and bonuses, the firm pays for associates' life, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, long-term disability and major medical insurance, participation in our 401(k) program, garage parking, bar exam fees, and reasonable moving expenses. The firm also provides three months paid maternity leave and up to three additional months of maternity leave without pay.
About Susman Godfrey L.L.P.
Susman Godfrey L.L.P., a law firm with more than 80 lawyers, was recently named one of the top litigation boutiques in the country by The American Lawyer. The firm represents plaintiffs and defendants in a broad range of commercial litigation matters, including antitrust, patent and intellectual property, securities and corporate governance litigation, energy, commercial and products liability litigation, bankruptcy and financial restructuring, accounting malpractice, arbitration, climate change litigation, and foreign and international litigation matters. The firm has offices in Houston, Dallas, Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York. For additional information, visit www.susmangodfrey.com .