Law Firms
This BigLaw firm has deferred start dates for some associates
A&O Shearman has deferred start dates to January for a group of its new associates. (Photo from Shutterstock)
A&O Shearman has deferred start dates to January for a group of its new associates.
The deferral is intended to manage the law firm’s talent pipeline and maintain the strength of the firm’s associate experience, according to a source familiar with the situation.
A&O Shearman has historically had two start dates for its incoming first-year class, the source told the ABA Journal. In line with industry standards, first-year associates have always had the option of a salary advance. The money is repayable over 10 months, according to Above the Law’s coverage.
Above the Law says the delayed start dates follow “growing pains” that were part of the merger that produced A&O Shearman, which took effect a little more than a year ago.
After the merger, the firm announced plans to cut 10% of its global partnership. About 7% of the partners had left by May 2025, Law.com says in its story on the start dates.
Law.com also points to uncertainty for “M&A-centric law firms, with trade talks and tariffs putting some cross-border deals on hold.”
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