Pittsburgh-based Klett Rooney Lieber & Schorling has raised its first-year associate salaries from $105,000 (£66,700) to $110,000 (£69,900) in its Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Newark and New Jersey offices.


Partner William Schorling said that the move follows a decision by several Delaware-based firms to raise their first year salaries to $110,000 in their Wilmington, Delaware office. In order to remain competitive in Wilmington, Klett Rooney had to match those salaries. “We’re now perceived to be paying more than the other firms in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Newark and New Jersey,” he said.

Morgan Lewis & Bockius and Dechert are the only firms to pay more to their first years. Earlier in the year, the two firms raised salaries from $105,00 to $125,000 (£79,380) in their Philadelphia offices.