Ashurst pushes more partners to top of lockstep

Around 30 partners are now on the 65-point plateau, representing around a fifth of the full-equity partnership. The Lawyer has learnt that only 12 were at the top level as recently as 2008-09.

Senior partner Charlie Geffen: “It’s about getting the appropriate balance at the top of the remuneration system. At the time we changed the ­system we were heading for 50 per cent of equity ­partners at the top. We changed to around 10 per cent and that was too few.”

It is understood that a number of partners have also moved down the ladder as a result of the change, with the total number of points available to equity partners remaining the same.

Ashurst’s partnership voted to move to a modified lockstep remuneration ­system in 2007, with the highest share increasing from 50 to 65 points for a small group of partners.

However, Ashurst insists that the changes are to create more opportunity to reach the top of lockstep.

The spokesperson added: “When we brought in the changes we did so with very few partners at the top of the lockstep, but having a really small number isn’t an appropriate structure.”

The Ashurst lockstep starts at 25 points, with nine levels leading up to the plateau.