Munger Tolles & Olson raised its federal clerk signing bonus, putting it alongside a small group of litigation firms offering six-figure payouts to former clerks as firms compete for top lateral talent.
Munger Tolles now pays $180,000 for one qualifying federal clerkship and $200,000 for two or more qualifying clerkships.
Eighty percent of Munger Tolles litigators previously clerked, and the firm framed the increase as part of a market-competitive pay strategy.
The move intensifies competition in the lateral market for former federal clerks and follows other recent compensation adjustments at Biglaw firms.
# Summary
Munger Tolles & Olson announced an increase to its signing bonus for former federal clerks: $180,000 for candidates with one qualifying clerkship and $200,000 for candidates with two or more qualifying clerkships. The firm said the change is intended to help it continue attracting top lawyers and to align with market-leading compensation.
# Who gets what now
# Why this matters
Munger Tolles made the change as part of what it described as an "ongoing commitment to paying market-leading salaries and clerkship bonuses" to attract top lawyers. The increase places Munger Tolles in a small group of litigation-focused firms offering six-figure signing bonuses at the $180K level or above. For law firms competing in a still-active lateral market, higher clerkship bonuses are a direct way to target candidates with court experience.
Earlier reporting notes other Biglaw compensation actions elsewhere, including special bonus matches and salary adjustments among firms responding to revenue gains and associate expectations. Munger Tolles also previously shortened its summer associate program in an effort to reduce stress for students, indicating the firm has been adjusting recruiting and compensation policies.
# Practical takeaways for candidates and firms
# Next questions to watch
Will additional firms match the $180K level? How will firms structure eligibility and timing for these bonuses? The lateral market's response in the coming weeks will clarify whether this raises the baseline for clerkship signing bonuses.
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