Layoffs
General Counsel Leaves Merrill Lynch (Corrected)
Posted Jan 31, 2009 7:58 AM CST
By Martha Neil
Corrected: Among those reportedly being cut from the corporate ranks of Merrill Lynch after the investment bank's merger with Bank of America last year is Merrill Lynch vice chairman and general counsel Rosemary Berkery.
Fox Business and Fortune are reporting that Berkery has left the bank.
Merrill Lynch spokesman Mark Herr confirmed that Friday.
The Lawyer also reported that several other senior in-house lawyers are on the way out, a fact Herr wanted corrected here.
Herr specifically noted that New York associate general counsel Carlos Morales, co-head of global litigation John Eisenberg, and director and senior counsel Chris Haas remain gainfully employed at the bank, contrary to previous reports.
He did confirm that Barry Mandel, general counsel of litigation and employment, has left.
A Bank of America spokesperson says the company plans to eliminate 30,000 to 35,000 jobs within the next three years because of the merger, the struggling economy and a resulting reduction in work at the bank.
Last updated at 7:48 a.m. Saturday to make corrections and to add Herr's statements.

Comments
Allen Sheketovits
Jan 29, 2009 3:48 PM CST
Oy, this is terrible. Who knew that working for Merrill Lynch would result in such harshness for the lawyers. Ellen said she was going to work IN HOUSE, but not here. Now she is rethinking her options.
As of yesterday, she was thinking of putting in for a position at the NY Office of the Federal Reserve. She has some new TARP experience, she says. I don’t know what that is, but she is happy advising banks on these complex matters.
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Lenny, Ming Ming, and Tuck
Jan 30, 2009 7:54 AM CST
If anyone can get these failing banks in shape, it’s Ellen. Gods’ Blessings to her.
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B. McLeod
Jan 30, 2009 8:09 AM CST
I have heard she is already a member of the bar, in good standing.
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Donald
Jan 30, 2009 8:24 AM CST
I’m sure these fine lawyers will land on their feet, and I’m even more sure they are being well taken care of ($$$) as they depart. Let’s not feel too bad for them.
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Stan
Jan 30, 2009 10:30 AM CST
#4 - easy for you to say.
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Chili
Jan 30, 2009 8:08 PM CST
Who is Ellen?
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B. McLeod
Jan 31, 2009 5:26 PM CST
See http://ellenbarshevsky.blogspot.com/
(Where in recent weeks, “the only song we hear is the sound of the wind. . .”).
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xyz
Feb 3, 2009 1:21 PM CST
And we should weep for somebody named Ellen who is “rethinking her options?” Most people HAVE no options today. I bet she has a hyphenated last name and a rich, clueless hubby
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