lockstep
n.β Β«The root of the problem may lie in the top law firmsβ oddly egalitarian tradition of paying the same amount to associates at the same level. Many refer to it internally as βlockstep.β At some firms, that applies to partners, too, though that is becoming increasingly rare.Β» ββLawyers Compete, Except in Bonuses” by Andrew Ross Sorkin New York Times Dec. 2, 2007. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)