Foley & Lardner: Confirms Milbank Salary Match for Associates

• Foley & Lardner associates will receive compensation matching the Milbank salary scale starting in February 2027.
• Biglaw's "financial blackout" has led to the Am Law 100 rankings increasingly relying on estimates due to firms withholding full financial data.
• A judge expressed being "flabbergasted" by the Department of Justice's "pattern of dissembling, obfuscation, and outright misrepresentation" in court.
• The judge warned the government would lose its case if another "misstatement" occurred.
• College students frequently use AI tools but remain skeptical of their "transformative" potential.

Foley & Lardner has confirmed that its associates will receive compensation aligned with the Milbank salary scale, with these adjustments set to take effect in February 2027.

Foley & Lardner has confirmed that its associates will receive compensation aligned with the Milbank salary scale, with these adjustments set to take effect in February 2027. This move signals a continued trend within the Biglaw landscape where firms strive to maintain competitive associate pay structures. The adoption of the Milbank scale by Foley & Lardner provides clarity for its workforce regarding their upcoming earnings, reinforcing the prevailing Milbank salary scale as a benchmark for associate compensation across the industry.

This development in Foley & Lardner associate pay reflects the ongoing pressure on large law firms to attract and retain top talent through attractive remuneration packages. The consistent adoption of leading salary scales, such as the one established by Milbank, underscores the competitive nature of Biglaw associate compensation trends. Firms frequently monitor each other's pay structures to ensure they remain within the expected range for high-performing legal professionals.

In a related but distinct development impacting the legal industry's financial transparency, a "financial blackout" phenomenon continues to affect how Am Law 100 rankings are compiled. This marks the third instance where firms have reportedly ceased providing comprehensive financial data, leading to a shift in the accuracy and detail of the widely recognized Am Law financial reporting. Consequently, the Am Law 100 list is increasingly relying on estimations rather than fully verified figures, making it resemble a collection of "Am Law Estimates."

This trend raises questions about the future of financial transparency within the top tier of the legal profession. As more firms opt out of full disclosure, the ability of industry observers and potential recruits to accurately gauge a firm's financial health and performance becomes more challenging. The shift from reported data to estimated figures could have long-term implications for how the legal market assesses and compares the financial standing of its leading institutions.

A federal judge recently expressed profound dismay, stating they were "flabbergasted" by what was described as a "pattern of dissembling, obfuscation, and frankly outright misrepresentation" by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in court proceedings. This severe criticism highlights significant concerns regarding the integrity of government legal arguments and presentations. The judge issued a stark warning, indicating that any further "misstatement" of facts or law would result in the government automatically losing the case.

This judicial admonishment underscores the critical importance of candor and accuracy in all legal submissions, particularly from government entities. The incident serves as a powerful reminder of the judiciary's role in upholding ethical standards and ensuring fair play within the courtroom. Such a strong warning regarding DOJ court misrepresentation sends a clear message about the consequences of perceived dishonesty or deliberate misleading tactics.

Beyond these immediate developments, the legal community also took a moment to reflect on the distinguished life and career of Judge Richard Posner, a figure renowned for his intellectual contributions to law and economics. Judge Richard Posner passed away on November 10, 2026. His extensive work and judicial philosophy continue to influence legal thought and practice, prompting a retrospective look at his impact.

Separately, an interesting observation emerged from the academic sphere concerning the adoption of artificial intelligence tools. While college students are frequently utilizing AI applications in their studies, a significant portion remains unconvinced about the "transformative" potential often touted for these technologies. This suggests a pragmatic, rather than overly enthusiastic, view among younger generations regarding the broader implications of AI.

For associates, this news confirms Foley & Lardner's adoption of the Milbank salary scale, providing clarity on compensation expectations. For law firm leaders, it underscores the persistent competitive pressure to align associate salaries with market leaders and highlights ongoing scrutiny of financial transparency in Am Law rankings.

Source: Original reporting via Above the Law.