Cravath Associate Salary Scale: Will US Biglaw Firm Match Milbank's Raise?

• Milbank announced its new salary scale on June 2, sparking the 2026 associate salary wars.
• Fewer than a handful of firms matched Milbank's move, but Cravath has yet to match either of Milbank's moves.
• Biglaw firms are waiting for permission from Cravath rather than taking the lead in setting their own compensation scales.
• Firms should announce associate raises and bonuses as soon as possible, or have the courage to say they're not coming.
• The industry has had plenty of time to figure out what it wants to do, and there's no reason to wait until September or beyond.

It's hard to call that leadership. It's time to stop waiting.

The 2026 associate salary wars have officially begun, with Milbank kicking off the competition on June 2. In a bold move, the firm announced its new salary scale, which was quickly matched by fewer than a handful of firms. However, since then, the industry has been eerily silent, with Cravath yet to match either of Milbank's moves. The lack of action from Biglaw's top firms is surprising, especially given their reputation for advising Fortune 500 companies on billion-dollar transactions and litigating high-stakes cases.

For years, the script has been familiar: Milbank makes a move, everyone waits for Cravath, Cravath matches, and the rest of the industry falls into line. However, this time around, it's clear that Biglaw is willing to wait for permission rather than taking the lead in setting their own compensation scales. This approach raises questions about leadership and independent decision-making within law firms. If firms are capable of advising clients on complex matters, shouldn't they be able to make decisions about their own associates' salaries without waiting for Cravath's approval?

With Labor Day just around the corner, it's time for Biglaw firms to stop waiting and take action. Rather than dragging out the decision-making process, firms should announce their associate raises and bonuses as soon as possible. If they're not coming, firms should have the courage to say so. The industry has had plenty of time to figure out what it wants to do, and there's no reason to wait until September or beyond. It's time for Biglaw firms to be independent thinkers and make their own decisions about compensation.

Law firms should stop waiting for permission from Cravath to announce associate raises and instead take the lead in setting their own compensation scales, as independent decision-making is a key aspect of leadership.

Source: Original reporting via Above the Law