Between bonus cycles, student loans, and a schedule that doesn't leave much room for anything else, associates at every class year need a plan that runs quietly in the background.
Your first big paycheck, and a lot of decisions arriving at once.
Deciding between aggressive payoff, refinancing, and investing instead — run against your actual numbers.
Bonuses are often withheld at a flat rate that doesn’t match your actual bracket. We plan for the difference before filing season.
Getting your retirement contributions on pace and building a cash reserve without over-saving into cash.
Bigger bonuses, bigger goals, and the partnership question.
Figuring out how much home you can actually afford, and how a down payment fits around your other savings goals.
Deciding how each bonus is split across loans, savings, and pre-tax versus Roth contributions.
Whether you’re tracking toward partnership or thinking about a move, your financial plan should flex with either path.
See the current Big Law salary scale by class year, with bonuses and a quick take-home estimate.
It depends on your loan rate, employer match, and how much cash cushion you already have — we run the actual numbers.
Read more on the blog →We build a savings rate around your bonus structure, not just your base salary.
Read more on the blog →Generally Roth while you're in a lower bracket than you expect to be later, Pre-Tax once you're in your peak earning years — the right split depends on where you sit today.
Read more on the blog →A good starting point is 3–6 months of expenses, adjusted for how variable your bonus is and how stable your role feels.
Read more on the blog →Maxing pre-tax retirement and HSA contributions, timing charitable gifts, and reviewing your withholding against your actual bonus structure are usually the first moves.
Try the Tax Calculator →Usually it's the basics done consistently — maxing the 401(k) match, automating savings, and having an actual plan instead of reacting bonus to bonus.
Read more on the blog →Often yes, with the right process in place — it usually comes down to pre-clearance and restricted lists rather than an outright ban.
Read more on the blog →Semi-annual check-ins, year-round access to your advisor, and all of your accounts aggregated in one place so you always know where things stand.
See the Client Experience →