Howrey Axes About 10 Associates; Not Layoffs But ‘Outplacement’

B. McLeod
Dec 10, 2008 7:50 PM CST

An “outplacement”??  I love it!!  I guess it’s like they gently set these ten SOC8s outside, and then changed the locks.  And, now the firm is doing well financially.  So when these SOC8s are interviewing for their next job, that reason-for-leaving answer will be “outplacement.”  They weren’t fired or laid off, just “placed out.”  On the sidewalk.  So, I guess the consultants who thought we were done with layoffs in 2008 were right after all, we’re on to the “outplacements” now.

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Donald
Dec 12, 2008 7:21 AM CST

Post 1 has the sound of sour grapes lurking in the background.  Either a current biglaw associate or one scorned.  I say if you don’t have anything better, then accept the summer offer even if “discouraged”,  get some nice free lunches out of it, and save your dough.  You’ll be no worse off.  Then go work for the government after you graduate.  The pay isn’t great but you can’t beat the hours.  If that doesn’t work you can always enlist.

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Ed Poll
Dec 12, 2008 8:52 AM CST

What is “performance?” Is it legal skills, or is it a “rainmaking” issue. I was told that those terminated were discharged because they couldn’t develop a book of business for the firm ... This is a different spin on the current discussion.

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Kafka_Esquire
Dec 12, 2008 9:03 AM CST

With regard to the Poster at No. 6, the relevant buzzword might be they they are going to “Free” Willie.  Joking aside, one client once used the term “return selected colleagues to the community.”

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Out to pasture too
Dec 12, 2008 9:23 AM CST

Howrey is not the only firm putting a spin on associate reductions.  I was brought in as a mid-level lateral to a large firm last year.  I was never given enough work, despite my many efforts to secure assignments in my specialty and outside it.  I was criticized sharply for my lack of skills in areas in which I had never worked and not given in enough work in my specialty.  Now, I am being let go for “performance” issues, not due to lack of work.  It’s been a frustrating 18 months, and it will be painful finding a new job.  Somehow it affects the firm’s reputation less if it reduces workforce due to performance rather than the bad management that is perhaps at the root of the reductions.

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jmccoh
Dec 12, 2008 9:46 AM CST

shame on howrey!  the firm was so worried about its image that they threw the asssociates under the bus and publicly branded them as inadequate. even if that’s true,  no employees should be treated that way but the impact on young professionals is especially brutal.

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rs
Dec 12, 2008 10:15 AM CST

My wife and I got into a fight and I had to sleep on the couch.  However, I didn’t feel as bad about it because she called it outplacement for the night.

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DR
Dec 12, 2008 10:57 AM CST

#14 “If you can’t kill Bambi, you won’t eat.”

Vegetarians would disagree.

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lawyerly lawyer
Dec 12, 2008 4:18 PM CST

#14—“Mr. ON PACE”

While I totally agree with you on getting your own client, “On pace to exceed” your salary in paid receivables??? Are you kidding me?  You obviously haven’t been practicing long.  If you’re “on pace” you haven’t exceeded anything until you collect on those receivables.  See me at the end of your firm’s fiscal year.

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B. McLeod
Dec 12, 2008 7:26 PM CST

I don’t want to discourage anyone who has his groove on, but unless an attorney has had an exceptionally thorough and intense 3 years of working securities transactions under seasoned attorneys, 3-5 such transactions a year for a 3rd year associate is hopscotch in a minefield.  What you get to keep is as important as what you make.

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Vegetarians United.
Dec 15, 2008 8:50 PM CST

#15:  OK, if you can’t kill Carrot Top, you won’t eat.

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