About a year ago, LA firm Irell & Manella was the first California firm to raise associate salaries to $145,000, starting a trend that quickly spread. The CA raises were in response to the raises that first occured in New York. While some firms like Latham & Watkins held firm to their $135,000 starting salary, other smaller LA firms like Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges matched the NY salaries in their California offices. Associates wait with anticipation for the time when the salary increases become widespread.
Source: www.law.com