Exclusive: Extra £15k
The London office of international law firm Mayer Brown has increased the salaries of its newly qualified (NQ) associates by 11%.
The uplift means fresh-faced juniors will now earn £150,000, up from £135,000 — bringing the Chicago-founded firm in line with the Magic Circle on NQ pay.
The Legal Cheek Firms Most List shows Mayer Brown takes on up to 14 trainees each year.
As well as matching the Magic Circle, the pay rise sees Mayer Brown overtake firms such as Baker McKenzie and Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (both £145k), as well as Ashurst and Hogan Lovells (both £140k).
Summer NQ salary rises so far 🤑
| Firm | Location | NQ Salary (Before) | NQ Salary (After) | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayer Brown | London | £135,000 | £150,000 | £15,000 |
| Baker McKenzie | London | £140,000 | £145,000 | £5,000 |
| Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer | London | £135,000 | £145,000 | £10,000 |
| Hogan Lovells | London | £135,000 | £140,000 | £5,000 |
| Ashurst | London | £125,000 | £140,000 | £15,000 |
| DLA Piper | London | £110,000 | £130,000 | £20,000 |
| Travers Smith | London | £120,000 | £130,000 | £10,000 |
| CMS | London | £110,000 | £120,000 | £10,000 |
| CMS | Bristol | £70,000 | £76,500 | £6,500 |
| CMS | Manchester / Sheffield / Liverpool | £62,000 | £68,000 | £6,000 |
| CMS | Edinburgh / Aberdeen / Glasgow | £60,000 | £68,000 | £8,000 |
| Gowling WLG | London | £98,000 | £105,000 | £7,000 |
| Gowling WLG | Birmingham | £64,000 | £65,500 | £1,500 |
| Gowling WLG | Leeds | £64,000 | £65,500 | £1,500 |
| HFW | London | £100,000 | £103,500 | £3,500 |
| Mishcon de Reya | London | £95,000 | £100,000 | £5,000 |
| RPC | London | £80,000 – £90,000 | £85,000 – £95,000 | £5,000 |
| RPC | Bristol | £56,000 | £60,000 | £4,000 |