Layoffs
Report: Sonnenschein Axes 60
Posted Oct 15, 2008, 04:35 pm CST
By Molly McDonough
Chicago-based Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal reportedly laid off 60 associates and staff today.
The layoffs are being executed at a national level, without input from local offices, the law blog Above The Law reports as part of its Nationwide Layoff Watch.
When asked by the ABA Journal about the layoff report, a Sonnenschein spokeswoman didn't deny it, passing on this statement, "We look at staffing levels around this time every year as part of our budget and practice planning processes, and it is not unusual for us to make adjustments. While we understand that rumors such as the one you are reporting about Sonnenschein and multiple other law firms are circulating, we have nothing to add at this time."
Sonnenschein's skittishness is a departure from its openness in May when it laid off more than 100, including 37 lawyers. At that time, Sonnenschein announced the cutbacks in a firmwide e-mail, then discussed the situation with legal blogs.
At the time, the Wall Street Journal Law Blog and the Chicago Tribune's legal reporter praised the firm for its transparency.