Pinsent Masons has confirmed that it will more than double the level of its associate bonuses.

Until now associates received bonuses of up to £10,000 for putting in the hours. And they still will, but they'll also be eligible for up to £15,000 on top of that for what the firm rather nebulously describes as "excellent client service and relationship management".

With such opaque criteria it will be interesting to see how many associates actually end up with the extra wedge. But the firm assured RollOnFriday that it would pay out twice as much as it used to, so it bodes well. And rewarding lawyers for getting deals done well and efficiently, rather than just for racking up the hours, seems a positive move.

    Pinsents yesterday

Jonathan Bond, Pinsents' HR Director, told RollOnFriday that "our bonus system is split into pots for excellent client service and good old-fashioned hard work. In addition to the £10,000 which was previously achievable for the latter, a further £10,000-£15,000 is now available as a maximum achievable bonus should one achieve outstanding client service and value. The aim of this structure is to ensure hard work continues to be rewarded, but that the objectives of our lawyers are better-aligned to those of our clients.”  
 
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Comments

Anonymous 20 September 15 19:00

Just to clarify, you have to work ridiculous hours (for the base salary) to get anything beyond £5K. 1,750 MRHs for £5k - no matter the office - with further diminishing returns to get to a paltry £10K (around 2,200 MRHs from recollection).

Plus, *all* MRH bonuses are discretionary.

Basically, the bonus system was rejigged because associates complained about getting beasted but getting less per hour than they would had they worked at Pizza Hut in the evenings after their office shifts. The new system has gone down like a lead balloon, as none of the comments raised by fee earners during the (very limited) consultation process were taken on board, with the £25K-related PR being widely regarded as smoke-and-mirrors bullshit.

Still, it is still a great place to work. So, swings and roundabouts, really!

Anonymous 21 September 15 13:50

long hours, untattainable bonus, bosses who don't listen, poor fee eanrer moral - sounds like a great place to work

Anonymous 23 September 15 01:29

Discretion is the key word when it comes to bonuses. Like the poster below said, you have to sacrifice everything to get the smallest bonus and you get no recognition for hitting the 1500 MRH target. Pay rises are non-existent and fee earners are sick of complaining about the lack of transparency around remuneration. All smoke and mirrors. Doesn't hide the fact they're hemorrhaging staff.