JD Journal » laid off staff

Revenue and Profits Up at Kirkland & Ellis

sara — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:41:36 +0000

Kirkland & Ellis reported that gross revenues increased by 2% in 2009, from $1.4 billion in 2008 to $1.428 billion. Net revenue increased by 16%, from $580 million to $674 million. Profits per equity partner at the firm increased by 1% from $2,468,085.11 in 2008 to $2,495,000 in 2009.

In 2009 the firm’s ranks increased overall by 6%, from 1,333 to 1,411 attorneys. The number of partners increased to over 10%, from 545 to 602. Last year Kirkland & Ellis also laid off staff and associates in its New York and Washington, D.C. offices last year.

Founded in 1909, Kirkland & Ellis is an international law firm headquartered in Chicago. The firm has additional offices in Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Munich, Palo Alto and San Francisco.

Rumor: King & Spalding Turning Associates into Staff Attorneys [Update]

Erik Even — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 16:33:56 +0000

A JDJournal tipster informs us that Atlanta’s King & Spalding, which laid off 37 lawyers and 85 staff in March, is “converting a significant number of associates to staff attorneys.”

That’s all the information we have at the moment. If you know anything about the situation at King & Spalding, please — send us a confidential tip!

King & Spalding was founded in Atlanta in 1885. Its clients include Georgia blue chip companies, from Coca-Cola and Home Depot to SunTrust, as well as General Motors and Ernst & Young. It has 13 offices, including locations in Dubai and Frankfurt.

UPDATE

A JDJournal tipster tells is that 50 associates are to be converted to staff attorneys.

Thanks for the tip!

Bradley Arant Cuts 35 Staff

Erik Even — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:53:18 +0000

Birmingham, Alabama’s Bradley Arant has laid off 35 staff. Attorneys were not affected.

The firm is also eliminating duplicate positions created by its recent merger with Nashville’s Boult Cummings Conners & Berry.

Those laid off will get outplacement support.

Tracing its roots to 1871, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP has more than 350 attorneys in seven offices, and is the largest law firm headquartered in Alabama and one of the largest in the South.

Rumor: DLA Piper to Cut Equity Partners

Erik Even — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:51:53 +0000

Blawgs are reporting on rumors that global law juggernaut DLA Piper plans to force out some equity partners. The finance and projects groups are said to be particularly targeted, at the offices in the United Kingdom and Dubai.

Earlier this month, the firm laid off 21 lawyers and 100 staff in Chicago and New York.

The firm has made no official comment.

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

DLA Piper is one of the largest law firms in the world. It is a legal services organization whose members and affiliates are separate and distinct legal entities. The organization boasts more than 3,500 lawyers in 29 countries and 65 office.

Husch Blackwell Lays Off 10 Lawyers

Erik Even — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:18:52 +0000

Husch Blackwell, which in March laid off 17 lawyers and 45 staff, announced this week it has laid off 10 lawyers.

No further details are availability. If you know anything about layoffs at Husch Blackwell, please — send us a confidential tip!

Husch Blackwell Sanders is a multi-national litigation and business services law firm based in St. Louis, Missouri. It has approximately 675 attorneys in 13 cities. The firm was formed in 2008 as a combination of two regional law firms, Husch & Eppenberger and Blackwell Sanders, The firm also merged with Welsh & Katz of Chicago.

Weil Gotshal Slashes Salaries for London Associates

Erik Even — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:23:28 +0000

Weil Gotshal, which in May laid off 79 staff and in June announced the closure of its Austin, Texas office, is cutting the salaries of new associates at its London location.

Newly-qualified lawyers at One South Place will see their compensation cut 5.5%, to £85,000 ($137,500). Still, the new reduced salary is higher than the going rate for top London firms.

Also, the London branch is freezing salaries for all associates.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges is an international law firm headquartered in New York City. It is one of the largest and most highly regarded law firms in the world, with approximately 1,300 lawyers and gross annual revenue in excess of $1.7 billion.

Ruden McClosky Lays Off 8 Associates

Erik Even — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:29:03 +0000

Florida’s Ruden McClosky, which laid off two lawyers and 18 staff in May, and cut associate and non-equity partner compensation in June, has laid off an additional eight lawyers.

The layoffs affected associates at the firm’s litigation, corporate and land-use practices.

Ruden’s gross revenue fell by 9%, to $85.3 million in fiscal 2008.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida’s Ruden McClosky is a law firm specializing in intellectual property law, litigation, banking & finance law, and general corporate law.

Weil Gotshal Shuts Austin Office

Erik Even — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:13:49 +0000

Weil Gotshal, which in May laid off 79 staff, is shuttering its Austin, Texas office on December 1st, 2009.

Partner Kevin Kudlac will be transferred to Houston. The office’s 16 associates and 11 staffers have been offered positions in the firm’s other offices. Those who turn down the relocation offer will get severance benefits.

Miller Canfield Lays Off 13 More Lawyers

Erik Even — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:54:51 +0000

Detroit’s Miller Canfield, which according to tipsters laid off 25 people last Monday, has let go another 13 attorneys this Monday, according to press reports.

The layoffs affected various offices and practice groups. The firm employs 380 attorneys.

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

Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone was established in Detroit in 1852 and has offices in Michigan, Illinois, Florida, New York, Canada, Poland, Mexico and China.

Howrey Adopts Apprenticeship Model for First Years

Erik Even — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:45:47 +0000

Howrey, which laid off 25 staff in April, is adopting an “apprenticeship” program for its incoming associates, similar to that proposed by Drinker Biddle in May.

Under Howrey’s Tier 1 Program, new associates will spend only one-third of their time in their first year on billable client work. The rest will be spent on pro bono work and training programs.

In the “Howrey Academies,” associates will be taught writing, get assigned to trial teams, plus other programs.

In year two, associates will work on client secondments, judicial externships, and other advanced development opportunities. Billable hours in the second year will be capped at about half of total hours.

The bad news? The Tier 1 Program will be limited to a select number of associates each year. Compensation is annual salary of $100,000, plus $25,000 upon acceptance of the job offer to defray law school loans or third year law school expenses.

In their second year at the firm, participants will receive an annual salary of $125,000 and a $25,000 bonus upon successful completion of the program, and entry into Tier 2 of Howrey’s associate development program. Higher compensation may be offered to candidates with special qualifications, such as advanced technical degrees or clerkships.

Howrey LLP was founded as Howrey, Simon, Baker, & Murchison in 1956, and was the first national anti-trust law firm. It has more than 700 attorneys in 17 locations worldwide.

Snell & Wilmer Decimates Associate Salaries

Erik Even — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:05:55 +0000

Phoenix, Arizona’s Snell & Wilmer, which in May laid off between 30 and 40 staff members, has now cut associate salaries by 10% across the board.

The pay cuts are effective July 15th. The firm promises to pay performance-based bonuses later this year.

Snell & Wilmer was founded in 1938 by Frank Snell Jr. and Mark Wilmer. The firm is the largest in the state of Arizona and the 99th largest in the US by number of lawyers, according to the National Law Journal’s 2007 statistics. The southwestern regional firm, which has about 1,000 employees, also has offices in seven other cities in Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah and Los Cabos, Mexico.

Bryan Cave Cuts Salaries

Erik Even — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:52:54 +0000

Bryan Cave has announced it is cutting associate salaries 10% across the board.

No one’s salary will be reduced below the newly-established entry-level rates: $145,000 in Chicago, Irvine, New York, San Francisco, Santa Monica, and Washington, DC; $130,000 in Atlanta; $115,000 in Phoenix; $110,000 in St. Louis; and $100,000 in Kansas City.

Some staff lawyers will also see salary cuts. The reductions go into effect July 1st (July 13th in Missouri and the UK).

The firm has announced a move from traditional lock-step compensation to a merit-based system. The next associate reviews will be held in January 2010.

In February, Bryan Cave laid off 58 attorneys and 76 staff, and froze salaries.

Tipster: Stealth Layoffs at Dykema

Erik Even — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:39:28 +0000

A JDJournal tipster says that Dykema has laid off at least 20 lawyers and 30 staff since November. This was not reported to the media.

The tipster reports plans to further reduce attorney and staff headcount due to the GM bankruptcy, although this is being kept from firm employees.

If you know anything about the situation at Dykema, please — send us a confidential tip!

Dykema Gossett PLLC is a law firm headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. Founded in 1926, the firm has offices across the United States, including Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC. It currently employs over 450 lawyers and lobbying professionals. With the 2008 acquisition of 53 lawyers from the now-defunct Schwartz Cooper, Dykema’s largest office is now in Chicago.

McDermott Cuts Associate & Staff Medical Benefits

Erik Even — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:18:32 +0000

McDermott Will & Emery, which recently laid off 25 associates and 47 staff and cut pay, is now cutting health benefits for associates and staff.

According to an internal memo leaked to the blawgosphere, the firm believes its employee health benefits plans are “above market,” and should be brought more “in line with the market.”

Specifically, according to online sources, the firm will increase some premia and deductibles, and reduce pharmaceutical coverage. Changes take effect July 1st.

McDermott Will & Emery LLP, founded in 1934, is a prestigious international law firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the top 10 largest law firms in the United States and one of the 20 largest in the world.

Maclay Murray & Spens to Keep 4 of 31 Trainees

Erik Even — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:04:03 +0000

Maclay Murray & Spens, which in April laid off 38 lawyers and staff, is only keeping on four of its 31 qualifying trainees, according to online sources.

It was learned this week that the UK offices of DLA Piper will be keeping on only 20 of their 57 trainees.

Scotland’s Maclay Murray & Spens is a full service, independent, commercial legal firm offering legal solutions and advice to clients throughout the UK and beyond. The firm has offices in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, London and Brussels.

Dorsey & Whitney Cuts 55 Staffers Firmwide [Update]

Erik Even — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:10:41 +0000

Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Dorsey & Whitney has laid off 55 staff members, or 7% of the firm’s support staff.

Seven of the firm’s offices were targeted, but 38 of the layoffs were at the Minneapolis headquarters.

The firm saw flat revenues, with a small decrease in profits per partner, in 2008.

Dorsey & Whitney LLP is a large law firm, with close to 700 lawyers and 850 staff, located in 19 offices in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia.

UPDATE

The firm also this week implemented a 10% salary reduction for all associates. Contract lawyers are being asked to take a similar cut. This is on top of an existing salary freeze.

Fish & Richardson to Rescind Incoming Associate Job Offers

Erik Even — Thu, 21 May 2009 18:41:36 +0000

Global intellectual property firm Fish & Richardson, which earlier this month laid off 35 lawyers and 85 staff, has rescinded job offers to one-third of its 2009 incoming associate class.

One third of the incoming class will start on time, in Fall 2009.

Another third will be deferred to 2010. They will get a stipend of $5,000 per month for 12 months, along with reimbursement for health insurance.

And the final third has been told that a future position with the firm is “unlikely,” and they should look elsewhere for employment. These grads will, however, get a stipend of $5,000 per month for six months, along with reimbursement for health insurance.

The firm says it will “revisit their situations” in mid-2010. Which translates into English as “go away.”

Founded in 1878, Fish & Richardson is one of the largest in the world practicing intellectual property, litigation, and corporate law, and has as a legal staff of more than 450 attorneys and 1,200 employees in 12 offices across the globe, including an office in Munich, Germany. It opened its 11th US office in Houston in October.

Pannone Lays Off 35 Staff, Goes to 4-Day Week

Erik Even — Sat, 16 May 2009 16:57:43 +0000

Law firm Pannone has laid off 35 staff, and is asking employees to voluntarily work a four-day week.

The layoffs affected administrative and support staff in the firm’s real estate and corporate practices.

Founded in 1852, Manchester, UK’s Pannone LLP is a full service law firm with 380 solicitors, 92 partners and a total staff of 780, who all work within specialist teams focusing on the niche work carried out by their department. Headquartered in Manchester, Pannone has satellite offices in Alderley Edge and Hale.

DLA Piper Slashes Salaries

Erik Even — Fri, 15 May 2009 19:35:40 +0000

DLA Piper, which this week laid off 24 lawyers and 100 support staff across its UK offices, today announced salary reductions.

From the memo:

Our partners… have already accepted significant reductions in our projected 2009 compensation, and compensation levels for Of Counsel and Senior Counsel have also been reduced. We are now taking the further steps of bringing US associate salaries and staff salary increases into alignment with market realities.

We are making an adjustment of our base associate compensation in our major markets to $145,000. In those markets where the starting compensation has been $145,000, we are adjusting it to $130,000. Adjustments to all associate salaries at other class levels will be determined and communicated on a case-by-case basis based on class year and performance levels. We will continue to reward associates for exceptional performance in 2009 through our bonus program, taking into consideration both the associate’s performance and that of the firm. We also will not increase paralegal and staff compensation for this year. The timing and implementation of all of these actions will take effect June 8th and be reflected in the June 19 paycheck.

The firm intends to “examine and develop advancement and compensation alternatives,” whatever that means.

DLA Piper is one of the largest law firms in the world, and is the only firm with more than 3,700 lawyers in North America and Europe. DLA Piper is a legal services organization whose members and affiliates are separate and distinct legal entities. Together, the organization operates in 28 countries and 66 offices throughout the world.

Nomura Lays Off 10 In-House Lawyers

Erik Even — Fri, 01 May 2009 16:27:52 +0000

Japanese industrial and financial conglomerate Nomura has cut up to 12 legal positions in London.

The firm took over dissolved Lehman Brothers’ European and Middle East equities & investment banking operations, leading to redundancies. Lawyers at both Lehman and Nomura were targeted.

The Tokyo bank expects more cuts.

The Nomura Group saw its beginnings in Osaka in 1919. The group is involved in numerous industries, from oil and gas to construction, chemicals and foodstuffs. It is best known internationally as a financial powerhouse.

White & Case to Lay Off London Partners

Erik Even — Fri, 01 May 2009 16:12:06 +0000

After a redundancy consultation, White & Case is informing over 10% of its 73 London partners they must turn in their wigs and go work somewhere else.

Up to nine partners in the firm’s finance group will be out by the end of the year. Also, some partners have been demoted from equity status.

White & Case laid off 200 associates and 200 staffers in March.

White & Case LLP is a leading global law firm with 38 offices in 25 countries. It was founded in New York in 1901.

Women Laid Off from Allen & Overy Found New Firm

Erik Even — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:21:42 +0000

Nineteen women and four men laid off from Allen & Overy are founding their own firm, Maurice Turnor Gardner.

Formerly with A&O’s private client practice, five of the new firm’s six partners are women.

The firm will headed by Clare Maurice, who in 1985 became the first woman partner at Allen & Overy. It will work out of Allen & Overy’s Spitalfields office until July, when it will move into the City of London.

Today, Allen & Overy laid off 47 equity partners, 200 associates, and 200 support staff. In February, it cut 150 lawyers.

Founded in 1930, Allen & Overy has 31 offices worldwide. It is part of the Magic Circle of London-based law firms.

Nixon Peabody Slashes Salaries

Erik Even — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:52:33 +0000

Nixon Peabody, which laid off 20 attorneys and 36 staff in February, is now cutting salaries.

All associates, including incoming and summer associates, will see a reduction to $145,000 in Boston, Washington DC, New York, Chicago and California; less in other locations. There will also be additional performance-based cuts.

Meanwhile, associates can look forward to merit-based bonuses, based on such criteria as hours worked, new business brought in, community leadership, and “extraordinary contributions to the welfare and advance[ment] of the firm.”

In other words, management will pay whatever they want to pay, with criteria that squishy.

Nixon Peabody LLP is one of the largest multi-practice law firms in the US, with offices in 17 cities in the United States and one in London, and more than 700 attorneys in 25 major practice areas.

Confirmed: Layoffs at Quinn Emanuel

Erik Even — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:50:43 +0000

A JDJournal tipster informed us yesterday that Quinn Emanuel held layoffs at their Los Angeles office.

Today the firm confirmed that our tipster was reliable: Quinn Emanuel laid off 10 staff members in LA this week.

No lawyers were affected.

Quinn Emanuel’s revenues climbed 15% to $442 million in 2008, and profits per partner rose 11% to $3.34 million. I’m sure the laid off staff were happy to hear it.

The firm also laid off “a handful” of people in March.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges LLP was founded in 1986 by John B. Quinn. It is headquartered in Los Angeles, with major offices in San Francisco, the Silicon Valley, and New York.

Update: Hogan & Hartson Reduces Pay for Certain First-Year Associates

Erik Even — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:59:57 +0000

Yesterday Hogan & Hartson laid off 93 US support staff.

Today we learn more about changes in compensation for associates who joined the firm in Fall 2008.

Hogan offers two compensation tracks for its associates; those who bill 1,950 hours per year plan earn at least $160,000, while those on the 1,800-hours plan earn at least $145,000.

Starting yesterday, the firm moved associates who aren’t on track to bill at least 1,850 hours to the reduced salary track.

Associates can move back up to the higher salary level by billing 1,950 hours by the end of this year. They can count up to 100 pro bono hours toward their billable hour totals. If they log more than 1,850 hours but less than 1,950, they will be compensated proportionally.

The firm says it hopes the changes will not be carried over into 2010.

Founded in 1904, Hogan & Hartson is the oldest major law firm headquartered in Washington, DC. It is a global firm with more than 1,100 lawyers in 27 offices worldwide, including offices in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Robinson & Cole Cuts 11 Lawyers, 19 Staff

Erik Even — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:37:40 +0000

Robinson & Cole has laid off 30 people today.

…Robinson & Cole has eliminated 11 counsel and associate attorneys, and 19 support staff positions. These cutbacks are taking place among the firm’s seven offices in the Northeast. Other prudent expense reductions will be made across the firm.

The Hartford, Connecticut firm plans to maintain its summer associate and incoming fall associate programs for 2009.