Milbank, a prominent US law firm known for leading associate compensation trends, announced on August 7, 2025, the distribution of special summer bonuses for its associates and special counsel. These bonuses, which are seniority-based, can reach up to $25,000 and are intended to reward exceptional efforts. The move has set a benchmark in the legal industry, with recruiters anticipating that other Big Law firms may wait until the year-end bonus season to match Milbank's midyear payouts, which range from $6,000 to $25,000. The announcement has prompted discussions within the legal sector, with some firms feeling compelled to match these bonuses to remain competitive. This development highlights ongoing compensation dynamics in the Big Law market amid a challenging job environment for diversity professionals and a focus on litigation specialization.