Law Practice Management

Hogan & Hartson Offers $75K Paid Vacation to Incoming Associates

  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  • Print.

New information about at least one law firm that is further pushing back the start date for incoming first-year associates isn’t yet included in a lengthy list published today by Above the Law.

Hogan & Hartson is offering an unknown number of new associates the opportunity to start in December 2010 in exchange for a $75,000 stipend, according to an internal communication that has been obtained by the ABA Journal.

“Specifically, we will provide a stipend of $75,000—to be paid on September 1, 2009—to members of the law school class of 2009 who do not plan to clerk before joining the firm, if they elect to take a year off before coming to Hogan,” the firm writes. “Those exercising this option will have an offer to start as an associate at the firm on December 1, 2010, after the deferral year, subject to passing the bar by that time.

“How you choose to use this ‘found’ year would be entirely up to you as long as you do not work for another private law firm. While you may never have seriously considered doing anything other than come to a firm after graduation, we hope you will see this program as an opportunity—to travel, write, study, do government or political work, relax after years of school, provide support for your family, engage in volunteer work, or anything else. The choice is yours.”

The firm is also providing additional funds to incoming associates, including a $4,000 stipend that was paid in April and bar expenses.

A law firm spokeswoman didn’t respond substantively to repeated requests from the ABA Journal for comment.

Related coverage:

ABAJournal.com: “Dozens of BigLaw Firms Make Law Blog’s Start-Date Deferral List”

Give us feedback, share a story tip or update, or report an error.