LA firms Greenberg Glusker FieldsClaman & Machtinger and Christensen, Glaser, Fink, Jacobs, Weil & Shapiro have raised their first-year associate pay. Greenber Glusker’s associates will now earn $135,000 their first year, while Christensen’s raise was undisclosed. The move comes late in comparison to most others, but the firms insist it is to meet the market and bears no relation to the current wiretapping investigations. Source:www.law.com

Kenneth Lund, managing partner of Holme Roberts & Owen, hand picks young guns from the best firms in California for his offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles. He entices them with flexible billing rates, shorter partnership tracks, and a chance to shift their careers into high gear. For young lawyers who appreciate the opportunities at Holme Roberts & Owen, gaining more control over their future is worth trading in on a big name. In the last three years Holme Roberts & Owen has hired 16 laterals. Five of them were partners from firms such as Heller Ehrman; Latham & Watkins; Morrison & Foerster; and Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman. Source: www.law.com

Los Angeles-based firm Quinn, Emanuel, Urquhart, Oliver, & Hedges has raised its first-year associate salary to $145,000, matching recent New York trends. This tops the $135,000 salary currently offered by most L.A. firms, a move which Quinn hopes will maintain its ability to attract top talent. Source: www.law.com