International firm White & Case has introduced sweeping pay rises for junior lawyers, with newly-qualified solicitors enjoying a £25,000 salary boost.

From January 2021, NQs will receive £130,000 – up from £105,000 – while lawyers with one year of post qualified experience will be paid £137,500, up from £110,000. Those with two years’ experience will receive £150,000, £30,000 more than in 2020. 

Meanwhile, first year trainees will see their salaries rise from £48,000 to £50,000, and second year trainees will earn £55,000, up from £53,000.

A spokesperson for the firm said: ‘Following discussions with partners, we are increasing legal salaries in London, including for trainees. The salary increases, which are effective from 1 January 2021, are another demonstration of our position as a leading law firm globally and in the City.’

The firm added that its London office is 'pivotal to its global ambitions and continued success'. 

Several City firms – including Linklaters, Clifford Chance, Allen & Overy and Slaughter and May – have reduced NQ pay this year in response to economic pressure.