Associate Compensation Structure

Associate compensation is based on a number of variables, including billable hours, merit/performance, and client development.

Base Salary

The starting Base Salary for first-year lawyers coming directly from law school is as follows for our various offices:

Kansas City	$105,000
Omaha	$84,000
Phoenix	$115,000
St. Louis	$110,000
Washington, D.C.	$115,000
Wichita	$86,000

Base Salary and annual compensation adjustments for all others is based on merit and market factors (i.e., not lock step based on seniority).

Bonuses for Billable Hours

Base compensation is premised on the attainment of 1,850 billable hours. If an associate exceeds 1,950 billable hours, a Billable Hours Bonus is awarded for every hour billed in excess of the 1,850 hour target during the 12-month measurement period (which is the firm’s fiscal year, Jan. 1 – Dec. 31). Such bonuses are awarded on an entirely objective basis and are determined by multiplying the associate’s annual salary by the percentage by which the total billable hours exceed 1,850. For example, an associate whose Base Salary is $105,000 and records 2,000 billable hours (or 8% above the 1,850 target) would receive a Billable Hours Bonus of $8,505.

Discretionary Bonuses

Associates are also eligible to receive an annual Discretionary Bonus. Generally, an associate must be at or above the billable hour target of 1850 to receive a Discretionary Bonus. The criteria for awarding Discretionary Bonuses at Stinson Morrison Hecker include the following:

Receipt of excellent evaluations, demonstration of high quality legal work, attention to clients, teamwork, and compliance with firm business policies and practices.
Demonstration of an enthusiastic, entrepreneurial attitude by developing practice area expertise, participating in in-house professional development and training programs, and by learning about the firm’s clients, the industries in which they operate and the impact of the economy on these industries and the firm.
Production of “value-added non-billable work” for the firm (i.e., client development, committee involvement and assistance in recruiting, training, and mentoring). Development of particular expertise in a division/practice group that enhances the firm’s performance and that enables the associate to assume more complex work and participate in the management of client matters.
Development of outside civic/charitable relationships which are rewarding to the associate and the firm.
Demonstration of leadership potential.

Business Development Bonuses

Associates may receive a business development bonus of 10% of the first 12 months’ fees in excess of $5,000 from new clients that they are primarily responsible for bringing to the firm.