Reed Smith raises associate salaries, eliminates regional pay differences

Reed Smith - PBT Reed Smith levels the playing field for associate pay at its U.S. offices; whether the lawyers are in Pittsburgh or New York or other locations across the country. (Ethan Lott, Pittsburgh Business Times/Ethan Lott, Pittsburgh Business Times)

By Patty Tascarella – Senior Reporter, Pittsburgh Business Times

PITTSBURGH — The biggest law firm in Pittsburgh is restructuring its pay scales for associates across the U.S., raising salaries for current first-year lawyers — that’s the class of 2020 — to $205,000.

But the pay’s the same, no matter where they’re based, be it ultra expensive metros like New York or cities like Pittsburgh where the cost of living is lower.

Reed Smith LLP said as of July, it is establishing a new national pay scale for U.S. associates at all levels, eliminating regional pay differences, and that the decision reflects how the firm staffs client matters and builds teams of attorneys that operate across its offices.

Read more from our news partners at the Pittsburgh Business Times.

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