Several California law firms have jumped into the associate compensation foray, nearly a month after Milbank announced Jan. 20 it was raising associate pay. Some of the latest movers matching the pay scale include Fenwick & West, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Cooley and Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian.

For associates that have anxiously awaited announcements in the coming weeks, the California firms’ activity is a welcome sign, and one that could help the firms further attract and retain top associate talent. It could also help push other firms across the country to match the scale or increase associate pay.