Layoffs

Dewey & LeBoeuf to Lay Off Lawyers and Staffers

Dewey & LeBoeuf is planning layoffs of both lawyers and staffers, according to a memo dispatched by chairman Steven Davis on Friday. The firm is planning to cut about 5 percent of its lawyers and 6 percent of its administrative staff throughout its offices, according to the memo obtained by…

Mar 5, 2012 2:36 PM CST

Santa or Scrooge: How Do BigLaw Firms Determine Associate Bonuses?

Podcast Transcript: This podcast is produced by the ABA Journal. We bring you the latest legal news every day from around the Web. Visit us online at ABAJournal.com. Stephanie Francis Ward: 2011 has been a crazy year, money-wise. Many big firms made substantial profits in the past 12 months, but…

Dec 5, 2011 2:30 PM CST

Personal Injury Law Firm Is Reportedly Making Layoffs After Reversal in Once-Winning $43M Case

A downstate Illinois law firm reportedly has made “significant” employee layoffs, according to a local government official, after the reversal by the state supreme court several months ago of a $43 million verdict in a case against Ford Motor Co. The blow is one of several suffered in recent years…

Nov 23, 2011 12:28 AM CST

Baum Foreclosure Firm to Close After Fannie and Freddie Pull Files, Plans Mass Layoffs

Bad judgment about Halloween costumes worn last year by some employees of the Steven J. Baum law firm has come back to haunt New York’s largest mortgage foreclosure practice. After recent news reports that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (as well as some major loan servicers) have pulled their business…

Nov 21, 2011 6:40 PM CST

O’Melveny Lays Off About 75 Staffers, Transfers Some Work to Outsourcing Firm

About 75 support staffers at O’Melveny & Myers learned on Monday that the law firm is eliminating their jobs. In a statement provided to the ABA Journal, O’Melveny chief operating officer George Demos says the layoffs “reflect technology-driven efficiencies and practice model changes.” As part of the restructuring, the firm…

Oct 18, 2011 3:26 PM CDT

Despite July Gain, 1,300 Legal Jobs Lost in September

Adding to a tumultuous year of gains and losses, the legal sector cut more 1,300 jobs in September, on top of 300 positions shed the month before. The Bureau of Labor Statistics corrected an earlier report of a 100-job gain in August as part of its September employment reports, according…

Oct 11, 2011 7:50 PM CDT

7th Circuit: Fired Johnson & Bell Lawyer Can Sue for Discrimination During State-Court Tort Appeal

A fired former associate of Johnson & Bell can sue the law firm for discrimination in federal court at the same time that he is appealing an Illinois state-court dismissal of his defamation case, a federal appeals court has ruled. Reversing a federal district judge’s decision that the court should…

Sep 22, 2011 9:38 PM CDT

‘Addiction’ to Video Games Results in 3-Year Suspension for Pa. Lawyer

Otherwise a competent and respected lawyer, Matthew Eshelman had one major Achilles heel, according to a disciplinary panel report: He loved to play video games. When his work or family life became stressful, he spent time at his computer playing games instead of focusing on his law practice. Admitted in…

Aug 18, 2011 4:51 PM CDT

In UK First, Attorney and Spouse Say Law Firm Forced Them Out Due to Caste Discrimination

In what is being billed as a first-of-its-kind case, a man and a woman of Indian descent have made a wrongful dismissal claim against a British law firm, saying they were forced out of their jobs due to caste discrimination. After practice manager Vijay Begraj, 32, who is a Dalit,…

Aug 17, 2011 7:49 PM CDT

Fired Kasowitz First-Year Sues for $77M, Says Firm Didn’t Appreciate His ‘Superior Legal Mind’

A first-year associate fired by Kasowitz Benson Torres & Friedman in May after he emailed partners about his “superior legal mind” and asked for more responsibility has filed suit against the law firm seeking $77 million in damages. Gregory Berry, who says he started work at the firm last September…

Aug 16, 2011 10:37 PM CDT

Lawyer Accused of Harassing Employee, Asking Her to Wear Swimsuit to the Office

Already defending legal ethics charges because of his alleged sexual harassment of six women, including four employees, a Chicago class action lawyer is now facing additional accusations concerning his treatment of a female associate. An amended complaint against Paul Weiss filed by the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission says…

Jul 26, 2011 6:33 PM CDT

Harvard Law Grad Can’t Afford $180K, So Restitution Is $50K in 9/11 Chapel Arson

A Harvard Law School graduate who had his Sidley Austin job offer rescinded after he was accused of setting fire to a Sept. 11 memorial chapel in Manhattan had expected to turn to his parents for help in paying tens of thousands of dollars in restitution required as part of…

Jul 26, 2011 5:48 PM CDT

Ex-Office Manager’s Theft of Over $1M from NJ Law Firm Forced Layoffs, Partners Say

A former office manager allegedly forced a Morristown, N.J., area law firm to lay off associates and staff by taking more than $1 million between 2003 and the beginning of 2010. Beth Friedland admittedly took $448,721 from the Maloof Lebowitz Connahan & Oleske, which is located in Chatham Borough, and…

Jul 11, 2011 4:50 PM CDT

Legal Industry Sees Loss of 2,600 Jobs in June

June was another bad month for the legal industry, according to statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The legal sector lost 2,600 jobs in June, the Am Law Daily reports. It was the fourth month this year in which law jobs declined. The government issued revised statistics for law…

Jul 11, 2011 11:14 AM CDT

Dewey & LeBoeuf to Lay Off Lawyers and Staffers

Top UK Linklaters Firm Plans to Restructure Again; Up to 35 Partners Could Exit or Be De-equitized