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2nd year. What’s the typical bonus schedule?
White collar folks - how busy are you guys now?
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Obviously if you leave before it’s paid out then you don’t get it. You can try to negotiate a signing bonus
Mentor
If you were on track to earn it at the old firm and they want you it should def be part of the package
Subject Expert
I lateraled in sept and got full bonus. As mentioned, the precise cut off varies by firm and you may need to negotiate this depending what your firm’s policy is.
It varies by firm. My firm does raises and bonuses in March but you’re only eligible if you started before 9/1 of the prior year. So if you start on 9/2/26, you won’t get a raise or bonus until March 2028.
Mentor
This is something people typically try to negotiate in connection with lateraling. If you don’t, then the firm should have a written policy that applies. Mine has an Oct cutoff for eligibility for a prorated bonus.
Mentor
Or they weren’t going to hit an hours requirement to qualify for bonus at their prior firm anyway. But yes the Nov 1 starter would get nothing if they didn’t negotiate for it.
If you are transactional and lateral before 7/1 you can likely get a non-prorated bonus