Big Pay Is Not Just For Big Law

Houston litigation boutique Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Mensing (AZA) decided that matching the Cravath scale just wasn’t enough. It upped first‑year associate pay to US$235,000 and bumped second‑years by $10,000, according to a report from AbovetheLaw.

Managing partner John Zavitsanos said the firm’s young lawyers hit the courtroom early and “out‑hustle” Biglaw peers, so they should out‑earn themabovethelaw.com.

The move sends a message that even small firms can lead the compensation arms race and use pay as a recruiting weapon when the talent war is supposedly over.

,AZA’s hiring partner, Monica Uddin had the key words for their key players: “Our young lawyers aren’t stuck making other people’s outlines. They’re out trying cases, and we’ll pay them more for it. When you out-hustle and out-argue, you should out-earn, too.”

How does AZA’s new pay compare to the Cravath scale?

The Cravath scale, which most Biglaw firms follow, currently pays first‑year associates around US$225,000. AZA’s decision to pay US$235,000 represents a $10k premium. Second‑year associates also get a $10k raise, putting more pressure on rivals to match.