Law Firms
Heller Ehrman Axes 65 Support Staffers
Posted Oct 5, 2007, 06:37 am CST
By Debra Cassens Weiss
Heller Ehrman has cut 65 administrative staffers—but no attorneys—in its offices throughout the United States.
The aim was to cut costs, firmwide managing partner Robert Hubbell told the Recorder. He said the expanding law firm needed to consolidate work that was initially done in each of its offices.
The move comes as Heller has indicated some concerns about profits, the legal newspaper says. It warned partners that earlier profit projections for the firm may have been too rosy. Last year profits per partner were $1.035 million.
Many firms are cutting costs, according to Bradford Hildebrandt of legal consulting firm Hildebrandt International. The evidence: His firm’s fastest-growing unit focuses on cost reduction.
Although no Heller lawyers were let go, some have left of their own accord. The Recorder reported May 11 that the firm’s corporate group in San Diego lost nearly half its lawyers in the prior six weeks. A source said there was an internal war between new recruits and longer-term lawyers.
Recruiters said they have been seeing more resumes from Heller lawyers as of late.
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