Susman Godfrey’s 2026 Salaries Competitive but Vary vs. Market Raises
Susman Godfrey’s 2026 pay scale offers $5K–$10K above market for most associates except first-years.
Why it matters: Higher associate salaries reshape recruitment and retention dynamics at top law firms, influencing hiring budgets and legal staffing strategies.
- Susman Godfrey’s 2026 first-year associates earn $225,000, matching the Cravath baseline but below Milbank and McDermott’s $235,000.
- For second- and third-year associates, Susman pays $5,000 to $10,000 above recently increased market rates.
- The 2026 Cravath scale starts at $225,000 for first-years and tops at $435,000 for eighth-years as a market benchmark.
- Milbank’s July raise set salary increases between $10,000 and $20,000, reported independently by Above the Law.
Susman Godfrey has released its 2026 associate salary scale, which offers competitive compensation positioning generally above current market rates, particularly for mid-level associates. Its scale starts at $225,000 for first-year associates who graduated in 2025 and rises to $420,000 for those with eight years of experience, according to Susman Godfrey's career page.
This figure aligns with the 2026 Cravath scale, a widely regarded salary baseline in BigLaw, which also starts first-years at $225,000 but extends to $435,000 for eighth-year associates. The Cravath scale serves as a common industry benchmark for law firm associate compensation.
In contrast, Milbank and McDermott recently announced raises that lift their first-year pay to $235,000—$10,000 above the Cravath scale—as reported by Above the Law, an independent legal news outlet. Milbank’s raise, effective July 1, typically added between $10,000 and $20,000 across associate levels.
Where Susman Godfrey distinguishes itself is in the second- and third-year associate tiers, offering $235,000 and $260,000 respectively, which places it $5,000 to $10,000 above these recently raised levels at Milbank and McDermott. For first-years, however, Susman matches the Cravath benchmark but trails slightly behind these firms' premium offers.
This nuanced positioning illustrates ongoing salary competition among major law firms, especially in litigation-focused practices like Susman Godfrey’s. Adjusting pay scales reflects pressures to attract and retain talent in a competitive legal market, directly affecting recruiting strategies, retention efforts, and legal operations budgeting.
By the numbers:
- $225,000 — Susman Godfrey and Cravath starting first-year associate salary
- $235,000 — Milbank and McDermott's raised first-year associate salary for 2026
- $410,000+ — Approximate pay where Susman offers $5K-$10K above market for mid-level associates
Yes, but: While Susman Godfrey pays above market for most associate levels, it does not lead for first-year salaries compared to some firms like Milbank and McDermott.
What's next: Monitoring further 2026 salary adjustments and potential matching raises from other BigLaw firms will clarify if Susman maintains its competitive edge through the year.