Holland & Knight has hiked salaries in its Florida offices to some of the highest in the Southeastern U.S. The firm kicked up first-year associate salaries in its south Florida offices to $125,000.

First-year associate salaries in the firm's I-4 region were bumped 17%, from $90,000 to $105,000.

An annual compensation survey by the Association for Legal Career Professionals found the median first-year associate salary in the South is $105,000. The association reports the national median for firms with more than 250 lawyers is $110,000.

Adolfo Jimenez, H&K's professional development and recruiting partner based in Miami, says the market, rather than demand, dictated the increases. While most firms don't seem to be in the growth and hiring frenzy seen five and 10 years ago, he says, there is increased competition for top candidates.

"The competition is different, with so many out-of-state firms, and the client base is becoming more and more dynamic," Jimenez says.