Key facts
- Norton Rose Fulbright has adopted the new Milbank associate salary scale.
- The new scale is effective July 1, 2026.
- First-year associate salaries will increase to $235,000.
- Senior associates will earn up to $455,000.
- Milbank's new scale was announced on June 2, 2026.
Norton Rose Fulbright has adopted the new associate salary scale set by Milbank, effective July 1, 2026. This adjustment will raise base compensation for associates across the board, with first-year lawyers set to earn $235,000 and the most senior associates reaching $455,000.
Milbank initially announced its updated pay scale on June 2, 2026, increasing base salaries by $10,000 to $20,000 depending on seniority. This move has been adopted by over a dozen firms, signaling a trend in the legal industry.
According to Peter Zeughauser, a partner at the Zeughauser Group consultancy, these salary increases are a reflection of firms performing well and choosing to share profits with their associates. He noted that the significant increases in partner earnings over recent years have created a disparity that is now being addressed to maintain morale.
Norton Rose Fulbright has a history of varied responses during salary war seasons, with past adjustments being inconsistent across offices or having delayed effective dates. This latest move aligns them with the prevailing market rates.
The adoption of the Milbank scale by numerous firms, including litigation boutiques, suggests a shift in traditional hierarchies within Big Law, with firms like Milbank now leading associate pay raises, a role previously dominated by older, established firms.