Layoffs

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

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…

Oct 22, 2008 11:03 AM CDT

Jenner & Block Asks About 10 Partners to Leave

Jenner & Block has notified about 10 partners that they should leave the law firm, sources told the National Law Journal. The news comes less than a month after Jenner & Block reportedly held meetings to assure associates and partners that layoffs aren’t expected. The group being asked to leave…

Oct 21, 2008 3:52 PM CDT

Laid-Off Employees File Class Action Against Heller Ehrman

Three laid-off employees of Heller Ehrman have filed a class action suit that contends the law firm failed to follow federal and state laws requiring 60-day notification before layoffs. The suit (PDF provided by Heller Highwater) claims Heller failed to pay its employees wages owed under the federal and California…

Oct 21, 2008 10:58 AM CDT

Dewey & LeBoeuf Pulls Out of N.C., Sets Sights on Qatar

Citing the consolidation of the banking sector and a slowdown in the structured finance market, New York’s Dewey & LeBoeuf announced it is pulling its office in Charlotte, N.C. The New York Law Journal says that a firmwide memo detailed the closing, which means eight Charlotte lawyers and support staff…

Oct 20, 2008 9:27 PM CDT

Perkins Coie, Davis Wright Expecting Big Revenues From Heller Hires

Perkins Coie wooed Heller Ehrman’s entire Madison, Wis. office, including 16 intellectual property litigators and 10 staffers, with its winning bid in an auction-style process the Am Law Daily reports. Three lawyers have delayed start dates because of conflicts. In an unusual move, the former Heller partners entertained bids from…

Oct 20, 2008 8:37 PM CDT

New Heller Layoffs; Axed Secretary Tells of Disappearing Copiers

Most of the remaining staff at Heller Ehrman have reportedly received an e-mail informing them that today is their last day at the law firm. Employees at the firm estimated that hundreds of staffers were being laid off, and one source said today is the last day for most of…

Oct 17, 2008 11:22 AM CDT

Katten Lays Off 21 Attorneys, Sonnenschein Lays Off 24

As economic turmoil continues, two well-known Chicago-based international law firms have confirmed that they are laying off attorneys. After reports earlier this week that Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal has laid off some lawyers, both it and Katten Muchin Rosenman have confirmed attorney departures. Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal has laid off…

Oct 16, 2008 7:33 PM CDT

Report: Sonnenschein Axes 60

Chicago-based Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal reportedly laid off 60 associates and staff today. The layoffs are being executed at a national level, without input from local offices, the law blog Above The Law reports as part of its Nationwide Layoff Watch. When asked by the ABA Journal about the layoff…

Oct 15, 2008 10:35 PM CDT