Layoffs at Philly-Based Law Firms

Well-known Philadelphia-based national law firms are now laying off staff and/or attorneys, although, at least so far, they aren't saying how many.

In a written statement, Blank Rome has confirmed an unspecified number of attorney layoffs for "purely economic" reasons, reports Above the Law.

"We have not taken these decisions lightly, and while Blank Rome remains in strong financial condition having concluded a satisfactory year in 2008, we are not immune to the global economic downturn," the firm writes.

Meanwhile, "Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll has laid off a number of secretarial and administrative staff personnel this week, making for the second round of staff cuts at the firm since the summer," reports the Legal Intelligencer.

These layoffs also were driven by the state of the economy. Ballard Spahr also declined to specify the number of cuts, although the firm says only staff, not attorneys, are being laid off, the legal publication notes.