Reply to Biglaw Very Low Bonus for Pregnant Associate

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP, is there any harm in asking someone (IDK if it's HR or if there's a partner who manages your comp) what gives?  That you know you didn't make your hours, but your experience has been that means a 25% hit, not a 75% hit (or whatever it was), and is there any message you're supposed to take away from that.

Was there any messaging with the bonus so far as what other Senior Associates got?  I know when I get my bonus, there's some info about what the average increase was, % of comp, etc. and why I got what I got.  I'm sure I don't know everything, but I did get dinged once and was able to claw back some of it.[/quote]

Here’s the truth: if you do this and suggest convincingly that you’re just asking, eager to remain at the firm and meet your hours this years, etc. (i.e., lie), there is a small but nonzero chance the firm could make some kind of accommodation. If nothing else to avoid the headache of a pregnant woman complaining. Different firms have different levels of strictness about the books being closed once bonuses are out. You won’t get to 100% but they could give you something.

If you then leave shortly thereafter, every partner with knowledge of the situation will carry that with them the rest of your career. Maybe you’ll come across one of them in the future, maybe not. But you’ll never be able to ask them to put in a word for you, they’ll never recommend you for a role, or refer business to you. If they’re ever called by a third-party diligence firm when you’re up for something, they will say (on top of whatever the performance eval is) that you were dishonest.

Can’t imagine that’s worth $10k, but do with it what you will.

[/quote]

She can follow up with the bonus issue without explicitly stating that she is eager to remain at the firm.  Same effect without being dishonest.   If she has reason to believe she is entitled to more for her past work, she can and should follow up whether leaving or not. People don't think highly of you for being a chump. The fact that she is leaving mitigates the risk of blowback. [/quote]

LOL, if you think asking for additional bonus followed by a departure won’t poison your reputation in biglaw, you shouldn’t be giving people advice. I’m a partner. Have been one at three large firms. You are dead wrong. [/quote]

You’re an unethical partner. Time to reup on the annual course.

Signed 
Equity Partner [/quote]

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