This year has proved a busy time for law firms looking to retain their talent. Compensation scales and variable pay bonuses have been fiercely competitive, with many increasing their annual salaries or providing new associate benefits for their hard work during a challenging year.

Womble Bond Dickerson, rated one of the top 200 law firms in America, has announced an increase in base pay by an average of 9% for its associates.

Womble Bond Dickinson is revising its associate pay system by boosting base salaries for its junior lawyers and increasing bonuses, another sign of increasing pressure on associate compensation this year.

The firm is increasing base pay for U.S. associates by an average of 9%, while potential productivity bonuses will more than double, the firm said in a statement. The salary increases will take effect June 1 for many, and Jan. 1, 2022, for others, the firm said. However, Womble declined to provide salary scales or specific bonus amounts, and the firm’s initial salary structure among various markets is not clear.

Womble Bond Dickerson is a Global Top 100, all service commercial law firm and has over 1,000 lawyers across the U.S. and U.K.

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