Federal clerkships are incredibly prestigious and highly demanding, and elite firms are willing to pay handsomely for lawyers with that experience. That’s why bonuses for former clerks have climbed well into six figures, as litigation powerhouses compete to bring these coveted candidates aboard. Now, another firm is upping the financial ante, giving former clerks tens of thousands of additional reasons to consider its offer.
Robins Kaplan announced that it has increased its judicial clerkship bonuses to $150,000 for eligible lawyers who complete one qualifying clerkship and $175,000 for those who complete two or more qualifying clerkships. It certainly pays well to spend some time in chambers.
Readers may recall that we first covered Robins Kaplan’s $100,000 clerkship bonus back in 2020. That was an impressive recruiting incentive at the time, but the competition for clerk talent has only gotten more expensive. The firm’s new single-clerkship bonus represents a $50,000 bump — a 50% increase over its previously announced offering. Now that’s a nice welcome gift.
Anthony Froio, Robins Kaplan’s chair and managing partner, offered this explanation for the increased bonuses:
“Judicial clerks come to us with something that is difficult to replicate: firsthand insight into how judges evaluate arguments, advocacy, and the issues that ultimately matter in the courtroom. That experience is especially valuable at a firm built around high-stakes litigation and trials. We want the best emerging trial lawyers to see Robins Kaplan as a place where they can take what they learned from their clerkship, contribute from day one, and build an extraordinary career as trial lawyers.”
So, which other firms are offering six-figure bonuses to former clerks? Robins Kaplan now matches Boies Schiller’s $150,000 bonus for one qualifying clerkship and $175,000 for multiple clerkships. Quinn Emanuel offers $175,000 for one qualifying clerkship and $200,000 for two, while Cravath offers $125,000 for one qualifying clerkship year and $150,000 for two.
Then there are the firms whose clerkship bonuses are in a jurisdiction of their own. Hueston Hennigan is raising the stakes to $205,000 for federal clerks joining in 2027. Susman Godfrey offers $180,000 for one qualifying clerkship and $200,000 for two or more, while Munger Tolles will offer those same amounts to eligible associates joining on or after July 1, 2027. Apparently, getting behind the bench can put you well ahead at the bank.
With the rush on top talent in a still hot lateral market, what are other firms waiting for? Don’t they want to capture some of the magic that former federal clerks can offer? If you have information about any firm’s clerkship bonuses, you should email us or text us (646-820-8477) with all the details. Thanks.
Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her
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