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Lawyer Pay

Litigation boutique firm will pay special bonuses as high as $60K

By Debra Cassens Weiss

April 17, 2025, 12:51 pm CDT

Litigation boutique law firm Wilkinson Stekloff will pay special bonuses to associates ranging from $25,000 to $60,000, the firm recently told employees in a memo.

The bonuses will be paid June 1, according to Above the Law, which obtained a copy of the April 11 announcement.

The bonuses are “separate and apart from end-of-year bonuses,” the bonus memo said.

Here is the bonus scale:

• Class of 2024: $25,000

• Class of 2023: $30,000

• Class of 2022: $35,000

• Class of 2021: $40,000

• Class of 2020: $45,000

• Class of 2019: $50,000

• Class of 2018: $55,000

• Class of 2017: $60,000

Nonlawyers will receive a $7,500 bonus.

The bonus memo said the firm continues to be in “a particularly busy stretch” as it prepares for upcoming trials.

“We are also grateful that many of us are working on essential matters to fight government overreach and defend the rule of law,” the memo said.

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A man from New Mexico who admitted to smoking meth and marijuana before he crashed through a home, killing a grandfather sitting in a recliner watching TV, will spend 10 years in prison.

Mark Castello, 63, learned his fate on Wednesday in the death of Brian Peterson, 74. Castello pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle.

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Law Firms

Law firms cut compensation for some partners, freeing up cash for high performers

By Debra Cassens Weiss

October 15, 2024, 3:28 pm CDT

Law firms are cutting compensation for some partners because of reduced productivity or impending retirements, a contrast from more collegial days, according to consultants who spoke with Law.com.

“In the white-shoe days, it was unheard of to move somebody down” the compensation ladder, said Matthew Bersani, a founding partner of the Cliff Group, a legal consulting company, in an interview with Law.com.

Now, he estimates, about 10% to 20% of partners in a firm in any given year are seeing a reduction in shares or “points” reflecting ownership amounts.

Other consultants differed on the percentage of partners at firms seeing less compensation. Consultant Blane Prescott told Law.com that it is not unusual for 20% to 30% of partners to see compensation cuts.

But partners making less money are sometimes transitioning out of law practice because of retirements, said Kristin Stark, a Fairfax Associates consultant.

“Are firms still making difficult performance management decisions? Yes, they are. In some firms, you’ll still see 20% or so go down. But some of that will be driven by retirements,” she told Law.com.

Stark said downgrading partner compensation was more common during the financial crisis in the late 2000s and at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, good economic times are helping lower performing partners.

“With the uptick of law firm performance in recent years, there’s been some of what we’d call a peanut buttering of compensation,” involving spreading the money, Stark told Law.com.

EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management is increasing fire restrictions and temporary target shooting limitations for BLM-managed public lands within the Central California District. Increased restrictions are in effect for the Central Coast Field Office, Mother Lode Field Office, and the Ukiah Field Office effective July 24, due to high fire danger. These increased restrictions are in addition to the initial fire restrictions issued by the field offices and the year-round statewide fire prevention order and will remain in effect until further notice.

The additional fire restriction prohibits campfires, barbeques, or open flame of any kind, even if you are in a developed campground. Portable stoves and lanterns with shut-off valves, using gas, jelled petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel are still allowed both in and outside of a developed campground with a valid California campfire permit, available free at any USDA Forest Service, BLM or CalFire office, as well as online at https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/.

The BLM’s top priority is always the safety of our staff and recreating public. Please remember to only park legally when using BLM-managed recreation sites. Parking along state routes and county roads can inadvertently cause wildfires and may block access for firefighting engines and emergency vehicles, delaying life-saving services.

This has already been an active wildland fire year with fires occurring close in proximity to roadways, communities and recreational areas, posing considerable threat to public safety. Taking individual responsibility to reduce wildfire risk, while recreating on public lands, around homes and communities, before a fire occurs can help keep property, the public and firefighters safe.

The following restrictions will remain in place until the fire danger subsides:

• No campfires, barbeques or open flame of any kind, even in developed campgrounds.
• No target shooting – hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildfire. Use of firearms for hunting is still allowed. Hunters must abide by state of California laws and regulations. Visit www.wheretoshoot.org for alternative recreational target shooting locations.
• No motorized vehicles off BLM designated roads or trails.
• No tools powered by internal combustion engines off BLM designated roads or trails (such as chainsaws or lawn mowers).
• No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or at a developed recreation site, or other designated areas.
• No welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.
• No explosives.
   

Anyone found guilty of violating a fire prevention order may be fined not more than $100,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than 12 months. Restitution for total fire suppression and damage costs incurred may be borne by the trespasser.

To learn how you can do your part to prevent wildland fires visit www.readyforwildfire.org. Fire restrictions for all California BLM-managed public lands can be found on our website. The latest information is available online or by contacting the Central Coast, Mother Lode, or Ukiah field offices directly.