Slaughter and May has confirmed that it will be moving away from performance-based pay for its associates, a move that will see the firm’s current associate pay lockstep adjusted to ‘mirror the flat lockstep structure of the firm’s partnership.’ As a result, most associate-level salaries are likely to increase between eight and 10 per cent. Salaries for NQ lawyers at the elite firm will increase 9 per cent £78,000 per year, while lawyers with 1PQE will enjoy a 10 per cent lift to £87,000.

Work-life changes

Launches earlier this year, the recent review of employee benefits is understood to be one of the largest internal reviews ever undertaken by Slaughter and May, with the views of 84 per cent of staff making it into the research findings. Among the other changes being carried forward by the firm is a new scheme that will allow associates to take a four-week paid sabbatical once they achieve four years PQE. Associates will also be allowed to work from home one day per week.

Sources: The Lawyer; Legal Week