JD Journal » cuts associates

Rumor: WilmerHale Cutting Up to 15% of Associates Firmwide

Erik Even — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:50:51 +0000

In June, we reported that WilmerHale informed an undisclosed number of associates and counsel that they will lose their jobs this Fall.

Now blawgs are reporting on tips, coming from within the firm, that 10 to 15% of all associates firmwide have been informed they will lose their positions. Most are being told to leave for performance reasons; but some of the firings are based on the economy.

If you know anything about layoffs at WilmerHale, please — send us a confidential tip!

Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr LLP has twelve offices across the US, Europe and Asia. It was created in 2004 through the merger of the Boston’s Hale & Dorr and the Washington’s Wilmer Cutler & Pickering, and employs more than 1,100 attorneys worldwide. As of 2008, it was the 23rd largest law firm in the world in terms of revenue. In 2007, the National Law Journal ranked the firm as the 22nd largest in the United States by number of attorneys.

Cadwalader Offers Sabbaticals to 34 Associates

Erik Even — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:12:45 +0000

Cadwalader, the AmLaw 200 firm that leads in percentage laid off, has asked 34 junior associates to accept a one year, unrestricted sabbatical.

The sabbaticals target lawyers in the Capital Markets and Real Estate Finance groups in New York and North Carolina. Participating lawyers will get one-third of their current compensation, plus medical benefits.The firm intends to rehire these associates after a year, but no guarantees are being made.

Those who turn down the sabbatical option will get three months full severance.

A committee of partners and senior administrators will attempt to place these lawyers with clients, prospective clients, and not-for-profit organizations.

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP is the oldest continuously-operated law firm in the United States. Established in New York City in 1792, Cadwalader is now one of the leading financial law firms in the world. It has offices in London; Charlotte, North Carolina; Washington, DC; and Beijing, China.

Ropes & Gray Cuts Up to 40 Associates [Update]

Erik Even — Wed, 27 May 2009 17:02:33 +0000

Ropes & Gray, which deferred start dates in March, has let go between 30 and 40 associates.

Blawgs are reporting that the layoffs include eight two first year associates.

If you have any details, please send us a confidential tip!

Ropes & Gray LLP is a national law firm with offices located in Boston, New York City, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Washington, Chicago, Hong Kong and Tokyo; and a conference center in London. The firm has over 1,000 lawyers worldwide.

UPDATE

The firm confirms it has sent home only two first year associates, not the 8 to 10 initially reported online.