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Chatting with Hervé Ekue: A candid talk on skyrocketing lawyer salaries: "We're just getting started"
In an exclusive conversation with Financial News, Hervé Ekue, the merger baby of Allen & Overy (A&O) and Shearman & Sterling, opens up about the growing remuneration of legal eagles.
By Shruti Tripathi Chopra, March 19, 2025
In his first interview since last year's monumental merger, Hervé Ekue chats candidly with Financial News about the escalating pay packages for lawyers - a topic that's been buzzing in legal circles.
The Skyward SalaryTrajectory
While discussing the spiraling lawyer remuneration at both A&O and Shearman & Sterling, Ekue smirked and said, "We haven't reached the zenith yet."
Averages vs Elites
Ranging from approximately $127,162 in New Jersey to around $100,631 nationwide, attorney salaries have been on a steady rise. However, high-profile lawyers and firms can earn much more – the top 1% pockets an eye-popping $500,000 or beyond per year.
Pro Bono and Public Interest Still Stand
On the flip side, free legal services for the underprivileged are provided by organizations like NNJLS. The Pro Bono Partnerships Project collaborates with volunteer attorneys to offer a variety of legal clinics and advice sessions.
Fees: The Dependable Divide
When it comes to fee structures, employment lawyers typically charge on an hourly basis (ranging from $300 to $1,500) or work on a contingency fee basis, topping a percentage of the settlement.
With Ekue's comments shedding light on the skyrocketing lawyer pay, it remains to be seen if A&O and Shearman's salaries will continue to rise, reaching new heights.
- Shruti Tripathi Chopra, the author of the article, conducted an interview with Hervé Ekue, the merger between Allen & Overy (A&O) and Shearman & Sterling, in March 2025.
- Hervé Ekue revealed in the interview that the increasing salaries for lawyers, a topic that's been buzzing in legal circles, have not yet reached their peak.
- In the interview, Ekue also discussed the pay structure in the finance and business industry, mentioning that while average attorney salaries have been rising steadily, high-profile lawyers and firms can earn more than $500,000 per year.
- Despite the lucrative salaries in the industry, Ekue's comments highlight the continued importance of pro bono and public interest work, as organizations like NNJLS provide free legal services for the underprivileged.
