Layoffs

Stealth Layoffs: That Gentle Nudge to the Door

As some law firms respond to the nation’s economic meltdown by downsizing and/or publicly laying off excess attorneys, other do so quietly, with a gentle nudge to the door, as far as lesser-performing lawyers or those in struggling practice areas are concerned. Either by attrition or by encouraging attorneys to…

Nov 14, 2008 9:20 PM CST

Orrick Leader Defends Associate Layoffs after Hiring 27 Heller Partners

The chairman of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe says you really can’t compare the firm’s decision to fire 40 associates yesterday with its decision just a month ago to hire 27 partners from the dissolving Heller Ehrman. It’s like comparing apples and oranges, chairman Ralph Baxter told the Am Law Daily.…

Nov 14, 2008 12:01 PM CST

Orrick Lays Off 40 Lawyers, 35 Staff in Three Practice Groups

In more BigLaw bad news before the holidays, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe just announced it is laying off about 40 associates and counsel in the firm’s real estate, structured finance, and corporate practices. Some 35 staffers are also getting pink slips instead of a holiday ham. The firm was notified…

Nov 13, 2008 7:43 PM CST

Harvard Law Students, Legal Recruiters among Those Hit by Law Firm Cuts

As the economic downturn hits big law firms, resulting in layoffs and a few dissolutions, legal job seekers—and the people who help them find jobs—are also feeling the pain. The effects extend even to Harvard Law School, ranked second-best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Mark Weber,…

Nov 12, 2008 12:06 PM CST

White & Case Axes 70 Lawyers, 100 Staff

In the latest law firm layoffs over the current economic turmoil, White & Case has eliminated 70 lawyers and 100 staff members from its ranks. A lack of work in practice areas including banking and securities, as well as reduced attrition, were the reason for the layoffs, a firm spokesman…

Nov 11, 2008 9:56 PM CST

Loeb & Loeb Lays Off Eight Associates

Loeb & Loeb has confirmed the layoffs of eight associates. The law firm released a statement that said the lawyers were laid off as part of a “periodic attorney evaluation process and assessment of its overall personnel needs in its various practice areas,” the National Law Journal reports. The statement…

Nov 11, 2008 2:52 PM CST

A Wrong Prediction about Construction Litigation Results in Layoffs

A Chicago law firm has laid off four of its 14 associates after hiring seven lawyers earlier this year in anticipation of an increase in construction litigation that never materialized. Stein, Ray & Harris now has 10 associates and 11 partners, name partner Robert Harris told the National Law Journal.…

Nov 11, 2008 2:32 PM CST

Nearly 25% of UK’s Top Law Firms Considering Layoffs

Nearly a quarter of the top 50 law firms in the United Kingdom say layoffs are possible or likely in the current financial year. Ten percent of the firms responding to a survey by Legal Week said job cuts were likely or very likely. Another 12 percent said job cuts…

Nov 7, 2008 12:47 PM CST

Partner Vote Affirms ‘Foregone’ Decision to Dissolve Thelen

Thelen partners have voted to dissolve the law firm, affirming a decision made last week by the firm’s leadership. Legal Pad and the Daily Journal (sub. req.) both reported the vote results. Legal Pad said the vote had been “a foregone conclusion.” The Daily Journal story said Nixon Peabody and…

Nov 5, 2008 6:07 PM CST

McKee Nelson Cuts 17 Associates; Expects 10% Drop in Partner Profits

McKee Nelson announced today that it laid off 17 corporate finance associates and 15 staff because of a steep decline in structuring mortgage-backed and asset-backed securitizations. “This is market-driven, not the fault of these kids,” William Nelson, the firm’s co-founder, told the Wall Street Journal Law Blog. “All of the…

Nov 3, 2008 10:34 PM CST

Bell Boyd Lays off 10 Chicago Associates in ‘Belt-Tightening Measure’

Chicago based Bell Boyd & Lloyd has laid off 10 Chicago associates in a variety of practice areas. Managing Partner Nancy Bertogio said in a prepared statement that the move is a “belt-tightening measure that will put us in a better position to ride out the economic storm,” the National…

Oct 31, 2008 2:12 PM CDT

Heller’s Chairman is Headed to Dechert

The chairman of the dissolving Heller Ehrman law firm has found a new home—Dechert. Matthew Larrabee will practice in the litigation group of the firm’s San Francisco office, reports the Am Law Daily. “Larrabee moved into the San Fransisco office today,” the article states, “though a partnership vote on Larrabee…

Oct 30, 2008 7:56 PM CDT

Landlords Fear Law Firm Layoffs

Associates aren’t the only professionals fearing law firm layoffs. The idea also troubles landlords, who rely on law firms to pay top dollar for office space that offers technology upgrades and flexible floor design. In Chicago, firms are willing to pay more than $50 a square foot, compared to average…

Oct 28, 2008 1:23 PM CDT

When the Boss Turns Quiet: Warning Signs of a Layoff

If your boss suddenly stops talking to you, it may be a warning sign that you will soon be laid off. The Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) talked to job coaches and management consultants to put together a list of warning signs. They include: • Your boss stops making small…

Oct 27, 2008 3:48 PM CDT

O’Melveny Says Cost-Cutting Drove Staff Cuts, but Not Associate Ousters

A review of costs at O’Melveny & Myers this year has resulted in staff layoffs, but ousted associates were fired for performance rather than cost-saving reasons, according to a firm spokeswoman. The blog Above the Law has reported that five Los Angeles associates left the law firm this week. O’Melveny…

Oct 24, 2008 2:08 PM CDT