Dechert Chair Calls Layoff Rumors ‘Bull,’ Says Firings Performance-Related
The chairman of Dechert says overall associate head count is up at the law firm, despite some performance-related firings, and any talk of new layoffs is “bull.”
Firm chairman Barton Winokur spoke to the Legal Intelligencer about rumors of up to 80 layoffs at the firm since March when the firm notified 13 associates they were being laid off. He said 68 associates left the firm in the first nine months of the year, while 101 associates have been hired. Last year, he said, 82 associates moved on in the same time period and were replaced with 96.
“In my view, layoffs are when you decide to cut head count,” he told the Intelligencer. “It’s not when you decide to replace people with better people.”
He didn’t specify how many of the 68 associates left of their own accord, but he said some associates having problems were asked to leave before the performance review process was completed. Of the 13 associates who were laid off in March, all were given a chance to work temporarily in new practice areas. Three or four remain with the firm, but nine or 10 others were eventually laid off, he said.
Commenting on rumors of recent layoffs, he told the Intelligencer, “This is all such bull, if you don’t mind my saying so.” Revenue is up $14 million this year, he said, even though the number of lawyers at the firm has not increased substantially.
