Layoffs

Wildman Harrold Lays Off 17

In a second round of layoffs since January, Chicago-based Wildman Harrold Allen & Dixon has let go 10 associates and 7 staff members. The cuts are briefly outlined in an internal law firm statement republished by Above the Law, and a firm spokeswoman confirms that Wildman Harrold did lay off…

Apr 28, 2009 5:18 PM CDT

In Vegas, an End to ‘Era of Opulence’ that Produced Law Firm Mergers

The legal market in Las Vegas is changing, and that means an end to lucrative inducements that lured local law firms into mergers with large national law firms. “Gone are the days, at least for now, of law conglomerates coming into Las Vegas and throwing cash at local firms to…

Apr 28, 2009 11:20 AM CDT

Heller Staff Members Sue Partners, Seek $32M for Alleged Labor Law Violations

Contending that they didn’t receive mandated severance and vacation pay, some 800 former Heller Ehrman staff have sued at least 179 partners of the firm for alleged WARN Act violations under federal and California state law. Filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California, their $32 million…

Apr 27, 2009 9:28 PM CDT

Midsize Midwestern Firms Outside of Big Cities Doing Relatively Well

Midsize Midwestern law firms outside of major urban areas are doing better than their larger counterparts, where layoffs are common and associate start dates are being pushed back. Midwestern firms with between 100 and 450 lawyers haven’t relied as much on work stemming from capital markets and mergers and acquisitions.…

Apr 27, 2009 5:39 PM CDT

Law Firms Use Downturn as Opportunity to Ax Older Partners, Recruiter Says

Many of the stories of layoffs detail the unemployment woes of associates and legal staffers who are being axed by large law firms scrambling to cope with the economic downturn. But partners are also being cut, and those who are hardest hit are older partners, legal recruiter Jackie Finn tells…

Apr 27, 2009 12:39 PM CDT

Schnader Harrison Laid Off Partners, Associates, Staff Last Month

Philadelphia-based law firm Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis has confirmed that it made layoffs last month: three partners were let go, as well five associates and “less than 10” staff members. Managing partner Ralph Wellington told The Legal Intelligencer that the partners who were laid off were in practice areas…

Apr 23, 2009 6:05 PM CDT

Fearful Associates Opt for Partner Face Time Over Work-at-Home Time

The balance of power has shifted away from associates at big law firms who got top pay, demanded interesting work and flexible schedules. Now associates fearing layoffs are more reluctant to raise workplace concerns and to ask for work-life balance accommodations, observers told the National Law Journal. And with good…

Apr 23, 2009 2:25 PM CDT

Clifford Chance Cuts 20 Staff Members in New York City

The economic downturn has eliminated another 20 jobs at the New York offices of Clifford Chance. The London-based megafirm has let 20 support staff there go, after laying off 24 transactional associates in New York City last month, reports Legal Week. Clifford Chance also cut 20 litigation associates in its…

Apr 22, 2009 7:22 PM CDT

Monopoly Champ Had Been Laid Off from Buffalo Law Firm

Richard Marinaccio was laid of in January from the Buffalo law firm Hodgson Russ, but he didn’t let the setback get him down. Within a couple months, Marinaccio, 26, had a new job as assistant counsel at medical-claims administration company Meritain Health. And a month after that, he won the…

Apr 22, 2009 5:46 PM CDT

Career Confusion for 140 NYU 3Ls Deferred By Fall Employers

Confusion reigned yesterday at a career fair put together on short notice to help nearly one-third of the graduating class at New York University School of Law find work. After lining up law firm jobs for the fall months ago, many are now seeking substitute work with nonprofit employers after…

Apr 21, 2009 10:06 PM CDT

Baker & McKenzie Reportedly Cuts Pay for Some Associates

A major international law firm has reportedly joined a growing group of legal partnerships that have reduced the salaries of some associates. Baker & McKenzie is reducing associate salaries on a case-by-case basis, informing those affected of the change in individual memos, writes Above the Law, relying on information from…

Apr 21, 2009 8:45 PM CDT

Kirkland Lays Off Perhaps 57 Staff, But No Attorneys

A law blog reports that Kirkland & Ellis laid off at least 57 staff members on Friday, and a partner at the firm confirms that there were staff layoffs although he declines to say how many. The layoffs were made “due to general economic conditions nationwide,” says a senior partner…

Apr 20, 2009 11:32 PM CDT

Despite a Slow Two Weeks for Lawyer Layoffs, Blog Remains Pessimistic

Law firm layoffs have slowed for the last two weeks, raising the question: Is the worst over? Major law firms confirmed just 121 layoffs (including 60 lawyers) last week and only 353 layoffs (including 100 lawyers) the week before, the Law Shucks blog reports. Four of the last five weeks…

Apr 20, 2009 4:22 PM CDT

Once Courted by BigLaw, Lawyers Find Government Job Search Is Demoralizing

Laid-off BigLaw lawyers are sending a flood of resumés to U.S. agencies, only to learn that advertised jobs aren’t available or computers are winnowing out their applications. Lawyers sending their resumés “into the murky depths of Washington’s alphabet soup” are being stymied by hiring freezes and computer programs selecting applicants…

Apr 20, 2009 12:11 PM CDT

Howrey Cuts 25 Staff, Seeks Capital from Equity and Nonequity Partners

As part of a restructuring effort that has been ongoing since mid-2007 and is intended to help the law firm operate more efficiently, Howrey has cut 25 staff positions. It is also asking both equity- and nonequity partners to contribute an unspecified amount of capital to the firm, at least…

Apr 17, 2009 10:49 PM CDT