Locke Lord Lays Off Attorneys & Staff
Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell has confirmed that it laid off associates, counsel and staff today in all 13 of the law firm’s offices. Partners were spared, however.
Chairwoman Jerry Clements declined to give a total tally of those being eliminated from the firm’s roster, Texas Lawyer reports. However, an unnamed “firm spokesperson” says about 6 percent of the firm’s associates were laid off, reports Above the Law. A Locke Lord spokeswoman also confirmed this percentage to the Austin Business Journal on Wednesday.
“This was a very difficult and emotional day,” Clements tells Texas Lawyer. The legal publication says “most levels” of associates are affected by the layoffs.
In addition to the layoffs, the firm also announced today that it is pushing back the start date for incoming first-year associates to January 2010. No substantial change is being made to the firm’s summer program.
The dismal economy drove the layoffs, the firm says in a written statement provided to Above the Law. “Our clients’ decision to cut back on outside legal services and the uncertainty ahead has led to a conservative reduction in our attorneys and staff.”
But Locke Lord fundamentally remains strong and will continue to provide excellent service to clients in what is anticipated to be “a long and vibrant future,” the statement concludes.
Updated April 1 to add link to Austin Business Journal.
