JD Journal » lay off staff

Law Society of Scotland to Cut Employees

Erik Even — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:47:54 +0000

The Law Society of Scotland may cut employees, as it faces losing £1 million in revenue.

The professional governing body is cutting the cost of practicing as a solicitor from £665 for a “for a compulsory practising certificate” to £565. The cut in fees will cause the revenue shortfall.

Law Society staff have been asked to consider voluntary redundancies to save £250,000 in employment costs. The Society employs 120.

The Law Society of Scotland is the professional governing body for Scottish solicitors, based in Edinburgh. It was established by the Legal Aid & Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1949. The Society promotes the interests of the Solicitors profession in Scotland, and the interests of the public in relation to the profession.

All practising solicitors in Scotland must be members of the Society, and must hold a current Practising Certificate which is issued by the Society.

Ogier Lays Off 17 Employees

Erik Even — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:39:24 +0000

Ogier, a leading global offshore law firm, is laying off 17 people at its law office in the Bailiwick of Jersey.

Details, such as whether or not lawyers were targeted, have not been released.

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

Ogier has offices in the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey. It is one of the top tier multi-jurisdictional offshore law firms worldwide, employing 39 partners, 220 attorneys and over 300 support staff. Ogier also has offices in Bahrain, Hong Kong, Ireland, London, and Tokyo.

Gilbert Oshinsky Lays Off 4 Lawyers, 9 Staff

Erik Even — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:35:35 +0000

Blawgs are now reporting that in June, Gilbert Oshinsky laid off four attorneys and nine staff.

The staffers included five senior secretaries, two administrative employees, an IT professional, and — ironically — a legal recruiter.

The firm says the layoffs were not performance-based.

Based in Washington DC, with offices in Los Angeles and Austin, Gilbert Oshinsky represents corporations, partnerships, non-profit organizations and individuals in complex disputes, including high-stakes litigation, bankruptcy matters, class actions and ADRs.

BLS: Legal Industry Lost 2,700 Jobs in July

Erik Even — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:22:45 +0000

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday that the US legal services industry lost another 2,700 jobs in July, a 0.23% drop.

The industry employs 1.13 million lawyers and staff.

In July the US economy overall gained a few jobs — the nation’s unemployment rate fell from 9.5% in June to 9.4% in July.

Some of the biggest July job losses were at DLA Piper (20 lawyers and 100 staff) and at Fulbright & Jaworski (85 staff).

Tipster: More Layoffs Today at Fulbright & Jaworski [Update 2]

Erik Even — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 21:07:33 +0000

We have been covering rumors of ongoing stealth layoffs at Fulbright & Jaworski.

We now believe that six associates and four staff were laid off in Los Angeles; 10 staff in San Antonio; 8 staff in New York; 24 staff in Dallas; and 12 secretaries 29 in Houston.

And a JDJournal tipster warned us that more layoffs were coming today.

Now, from the tip line: “Fulbright & Jaworski has laid off staff in Austin, TX – starting this morning at 10:00 a.m.”

C’mon, people! Who? How many? How were those targeted informed?

If you know anything about layoffs today at Fulbright & Jaworski, please — send us a confidential tip!

Founded in 1919, Fulbright & Jaworski LLP employs over 1,000 lawyers in 16 locations in Austin, Beijing, Dallas, Denver, Dubai, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Munich, New York, Riyadh, San Antonio, St. Louis and Washington, DC.

UPDATE

From a JDJournal Tipster:

Your numbers re Houston are incorrect. F&J laid of an additional 17 staff members on Friday in Houston. That’s on top of the 11 or 12 let go on Thursday, for a total of 28 or 29. I haven’t heard numbers from Austin either.

Thanks for the tip!

UPDATE 2

Now a tipster informs us that F&J Austin has lost four staff – two floaters, one secretary and one recruiting assistant.

Thanks!

Laid Off Garden Stirling Employees Win Compensation

Erik Even — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:55:26 +0000

A Scottish employment tribunal has awarded £20,000 in compensation to two former staffers at Garden Stirling.

The tribunal rejected claims made by 56-year-old paralegal assistant Linda Bruce, and 52-year-old financial adviser Anne Crawford, that age discrimination played a part in their firings.

But the tribunal agreed that Crawford was not offered outplacement, and that Bruce was unfairly selected for redundancy.

Bruce of was awarded £19,688 ($33,000), and Crawford was awarded £1,782 ($3,000).

Haddington, Scotland-based real estate law firm Garden Stirling Burnet has offices in Tranent and Dunbar.

Mintz Levin Lays Off Associates, Staff

Erik Even — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:35:25 +0000

Boston’s Mintz Levin has laid off an undisclosed number of attorneys and staff. Blawgs are reporting that 15 associates were targeted, amongst others.

The firm is also working on making changes in compensation.

Blawgs are also saying the firm conducted a round of stealth layoffs in February.

Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky & Popeo is a general practice law firm employing 500 attorneys worldwide. Headquartered in Boston, Mintz also has offices in New York City, Washington DC, Stamford, Los Angeles, Palo Alto, San Diego, and London.

Layoffs Ongoing at Fulbright & Jaworski? [Update 2]

Erik Even — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 02:30:42 +0000

Earlier this week we reported on a tip that Fulbright & Jaworski laid off at least 42 people in Texas and New York.

Now a JDJournal tipster tells us that the firm is laying off “a significant number” of staff today in Houston. The tipster does not have numbers, and isn’t sure if lawyers will be affected.

Thanks for the tip!

If you know anything about layoffs today at Fulbright & Jaworski, please — send us a confidential tip!

UPDATE

A JDJournal tipster says:

Layoff rumors were true. All of the Houston floater secretaries were let go this morning. There were 11 of them. Rumor mill is saying more layoffs coming Friday.

Thanks!

PS – JDJournal has learned that 12 secretaries were let go in Houston. And…

UPDATE 2

Another JDJournal tipster says:

Rumors are the Austin office will have layoffs this Thursday.

We’ll keep bringing you the news (and rumors) as the situation evolves.

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.

Mallesons to Cut 100 Lawyers, Staff

Erik Even — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:58:07 +0000

Commercial law firm Mallesons will begin a redundancy consultation in August, targeting 5% of the firm’s workforce.

The redundancies are being characterized as voluntary, and will affect 100 lawyers and staff. Some lawyers will be offered more than one year’s pay.

The offers are to include a payment based on years of service, an additional stipend, and outplacement.

Founded in 1832, Mallesons Stephen Jaques is a commercial law firm that operates in the Asia-Pacific region. In Australia, and throughout the Asia-Pacific region generally, it is considered one of the top commercial law firms. It has offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Canberra, Hong Kong, Beijing, London, Shanghai and Papua New Guinea.

Tipster: Husch Blackwell Laying Off More Lawyers

Erik Even — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:15:07 +0000

Husch Blackwell laid off 17 lawyers and 45 staff in March, and 10 lawyers two weeks ago.

Now a JDJournal tipster says the firm has laid off an undisclosed number of additional attorneys.

More attorneys were laid off last week at the St. Louis Husch, Blackwell office, including well respected partners and associates. [They] also demoted equity partners, cut salaries, etc. No one knows until the very last minute. Possibly more to come?

Thanks for the tip!

If you know anything about layoffs or salary cuts at Husch Blackwell, please send us a confidential tip!

Husch Blackwell Sanders is a multinational 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.

Goodsill Anderson Lays Off 9 Staff

Erik Even — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:36:37 +0000

Hawaii’s Goodsill Anderson laid off nine administrative staffers last week. No attorneys were affected.

In fact, the firm plans to hire three more lawyers for its corporate and intellectual property practices.

Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel, established in 1878, is Hawaii’s largest law firm. It is based in Honolulu, and lists 69 lawyers on its Web site.

Tipster: More Layoffs at Fulbright & Jaworski

Erik Even — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:56:25 +0000

Last week, we reported that Fulbright & Jaworski has laid off six associates and four staff at its Los Angeles office.

Now a JDJournal tipster tells us that the firm cut 10 support staff from its San Antonio, Texas office; eight from New York; and 24 from Dallas, including 20 secretaries, one recruiter, one accountant, a legal assistant and an IT help desk person.

The tipster also adds that “although attorneys in Dallas have not been laid off to my knowledge, some have been ‘asked to leave.’”

Thanks for the tip!

If you have any additional details about layoffs at Fulbright & Jaworski, please — send us a confidential tip!

Tipster: More Layoffs on Horizon at Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt [Update 3]

Erik Even — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 16:00:48 +0000

In June we reported that Portland, Oregon’s Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt would cut associate salaries and lay off support staff.

Now a JDJournal tipster informs us that more layoffs are coming in August, and the new round will likely include associates.

The tipster says (edited for length and clarity):

Hopefully, Schwabe will handle this round of layoffs better than the June 15 layoffs of nearly 10% of its secretarial and professional staff, in which management attempted such a stealthy layoff that they did not even bother to tell the attorneys that their secretaries would be eliminated – many attorneys came back from a CLE event, a meeting, or a vacation and discovered their secretaries were simply gone.

It would be pretty interesting if management attempted to conduct any associate layoffs in this manner, and just left it up to the supervising partners to figure out who was still around to work on their cases.

Much of the staff affected by the June 15th layoff has been seriously questioning the timing of it – while Schwabe is still insisting that these staff members were cut due to the current state of the economy, Schwabe went on to hire two full-time secretaries within a week of cutting nearly 10% of its secretarial staff… None of the laid-off secretarial staff were asked to return to fill either one of these positions.

…it is worth mentioning that nearly all of the secretarial staff laid off on June 15th had raised some complaint to their supervisor, Virginia Zingg, in the seven months preceding the layoffs, leaving most of the secretarial staff who lost their jobs on June 15th to reach the conclusion that Ms. Zingg simply used the layoffs as a convenient way to clean house for those staff members who she apparently perceived as troublemakers.

If you know anything about layoffs at Schwabe, please — send us a confidential tip! And thanks to all our tipsters!

Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt is a law firm with over 160 attorneys in seven cities. The firm currently has offices in Portland, Bend and Salem, Oregon; Seattle, Vancouver and Stevenson, Washington; and Washington, DC. It is the seventh largest law firm in the Pacific Northwest, and the second largest in Oregon.

UPDATE

Another tipster has a lot to say. Edited for length and clarity:

Viginia Zingg did use the layoffs as an excuse to clean house of those she didn’t like… She breaches confidentiality between the secretaries and staff behind her closed doors, and starts rumors just to get someone to give up information.

There has been no support to the secretarial staff since the layoffs took place, and the associates and summers are doing yet another rafting trip to the Deschutes this weekend, like last weekend wasn’t enough!

The staff get to go pull weeds out of Washington Park and have a picnic at the Zoo afterwards as their reward this summer. I bet we will see an article about how great of community services the firm provides after the staff go sweat all day pulling the weeds at their summer event, which used to take place on the Portland Spirit. I guess those days are over…

…the morale at Schwabe is null/void. It is beyond low if that is possible – non-existent.

UPDATE 2

Another tipster writes in (edited for length and clarity):

…one of the managing partners went before the entire firm to announce that every level of Schwabe would be making sacrifices in these difficult times; staff suffered layoffs, associates received pay cuts, and the partners would not be receiving their “holdbacks.” (The partners have a percentage of their salary held back each month. and then receive those funds in June and December pending good receivables).

Within two weeks after that announcement, the partners did in fact receive their holdbacks. Also, note that mid-level management was not mentioned with regard to any sort of sacrifice — no layoffs, no pay cuts.

There have been complaints brought to upper management for years with regard to Virginia Zingg’s inability to maintain confidentiality. It has been a wonder to staff how she maintains her position as a mid-level manager, and further why Schwabe’s upper management and board would allow her to make the decision with regard to which individuals would be laid off.

UPDATE 3

Disturbing reports are emerging from several staff members at Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt that Virginia Zingg allegedly commented to them, “Now that so many staff have been eliminated, there will be bigger bonuses for all of us at the end of the year.” In light of the recent reports that the partners did, in fact, receive their holdbacks, it is becoming increasingly clear that the June staff lay-offs, the attorney pay cuts, and the future lay-offs planned for August are not due to the current financial forecast.

Rather, according to Ms. Zingg – a member of management, who would be privy to knowing such things – it was all so that there would be bigger bonuses for all employees at year’s end.

In fact, if Schwabe were legitimately concerned about remaining economically viable, they would terminate Ms. Zingg because she is a huge liability – upper management already has substantiated evidence that she has violated employees’ protected health information under the HIPAA Regulations, and it is just a matter of time before one of these employees obtains a judgment against Schwabe big enough to shut the whole place down.

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.

Major Layoffs at Dechert Today

Erik Even — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:10:15 +0000

Today Dechert, which laid off 63 lawyers and 62 staff in March, let go a significant number of associates, plus paralegals, staff attorneys and legal secretaries.

The firm has not made any official announcement or released precise numbers, but blawgs with sources inside the firm suggest that 25 associates were let go.

If you have any details about layoffs at Dechert, please — send us a confidential tip!

Founded in 1975, Dechert LLP is an international law firm of more than 1,000 lawyers with top-ranked practices in corporate and securities, complex litigation, finance and real estate, and financial services and asset management

In 2006, Philadelphia’s Dechert was ranked 37th largest law firm in the world based on revenue. In 2007, the National Law Journal ranked the firm 25th largest in the United States based on number of attorneys.

Fulbright & Jaworski Lays Off 6 Associates, 4 Staff

Erik Even — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:18:03 +0000

Blawgs are reporting that Fulbright & Jaworski has laid off six associates and four staff at its Los Angeles office.

Five of the associates targeted were first-years.

If you have any details about layoffs at Fulbright & Jaworski, please — send us a confidential tip!

K&L Gates Lays Off Long-time Staffers

Erik Even — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:53:41 +0000

Blawgs are reporting that K&L Gates let go five staff members last week, due to lack of work.

At least two of the staffers had worked for the firm for more than 20 years, according to reports.

In March, K&L Gates laid off 36 associates and 79 staff; and the firm is rumored to have laid off 20 staff in April.

If you know anything about layoffs at K&L Gates, please send us a confidential tip!

K&L Gates LLP is a US law firm with over 1700 attorneys worldwide, and is ranked as the 10th largest law firm in the world.

The Week in Law Firm Layoffs

Erik Even — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 17:39:53 +0000

This week in law firm layoffs:

Eckert Seamans: 90 lawyers

Hogan & Hartson: 30 lawyers

Clifford Chance: 50 lawyers

DLA Piper: 21 lawyers, 100 staff

Keddies Lawyers: 40 undisclosed lawyers, staff

Cahill Gordon: undisclosed lawyers

Winstead: 20 undisclosed

Mishcon de Reya: 12 staff

Total: 191 lawyers, 112 staff, 60 undisclosed

Previously:

Week of June 28th: 49 lawyers, 11 staff, 175 undisclosed

Week of June 21st: 30 lawyers, 43 staff

Week of June 14th: 51 lawyers, 34 staff

Week of June 7th: 81 lawyers, 61 staff, 85 undisclosed

Week of May 31st: 101 lawyers, 142 staff, 49 undisclosed

Week of May 24th: 66 lawyers, 119 staff

Week of May 17th: 40 lawyers, 118 staff

Week of May 10th: 274 lawyers, 499 staff

Week of May 3rd: 274 lawyers, 160 staff

Week of April 26th: 352 lawyers, 220 staff, 70 undisclosed

Week of April 19th: 61 lawyers, 184 staff

Week of April 12th: 67 lawyers, 50 staff, 115 unidentified

Week of April 5th: 144 lawyers, 310 staff

Week of March 29th: 199 lawyers, 474 staff

Week of March 22nd: 455 lawyers, 219 staff

Week of March 15th: 91 lawyers, 177 staff

Week of March 8th: 574 lawyers, 812 staff

Baker & McKenzie Holding Layoffs in China

Erik Even — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:24:49 +0000

Chicago’s Baker & McKenzie, which in April laid off 124 employees, announced today it is laying off 11% of its lawyers and staff in China.

The firm has released no further details. It has 350 lawyers and staff across offices in Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

If you have any details about layoffs at Baker’s China offices, please — send us a confidential tip!

Baker & McKenzie was founded in Chicago in 1949 by Russell Baker and John McKenzie. One of the first law firms to be truly global, it employs more than 3,900 lawyers in more than 70 offices in 38 different countries.

Another Black Day: DLA Piper Lays Off 120 [Update]

Erik Even — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:00:55 +0000

Blawgs are reporting this morning that DLA Piper is laying off 20 lawyers and 100 staff today.

The layoffs are targeting the firm’s offices in Chicago and New York.

So far this year, the firm cut 22 in the Middle East; cut 37 trainees; laid off 12 lawyers in Oceania; let go 24 lawyers and 100 support staff in the UK; cut 80 associates and 100 staff across the firm; and laid off 20 lawyers and 34 staff in Asia.

UPDATE

DLA Piper has now officially confirmed it laid off 21 lawyers and 100 staff today.

Keddies Lays Off 40 Lawyers & Staff

Erik Even — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:17:40 +0000

Keddies Lawyers has been conducting stealth layoffs, with some 40 firm employees, both lawyers and staff, shown the door.

The latest redundancies went into effect last week.

If you have any details about layoffs at Keddies Lawyers, such as layoff dates and the number of lawyers affected, please send us a confidential tip!

Keddies Lawyers is a workers compensation boutique with offices across Australia, including Wollongong, Brisbane, Sydney, Ashfield, Liverpool and Redfern.

Winstead Lays Off 20 Employees

Erik Even — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:58:32 +0000

Winstead, which in April canceled its 2009 summer associate program, has let go 20 employees, according to the Dallas Morning News.

No additional information, such as whether lawyers were affected, is available. If you know anything about layoffs at at Winstead, please send us a confidential tip.

Winstead PC has offices in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and The Woodlands, Texas; and in Washington, DC.

Tipster: Mishcon de Reya to Cut Up to 12

Erik Even — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:22:30 +0000

A JDJournal tipster tells us that the UK’s Mishcon de Reya, which in January cut two partners and 15 staff, has begun another round of redundancies, targeting 10 to 12 staffers.

Worst hit is the Property department which has suffered badly from the financial crisis and is struggling to gain client trust after one senior partner’s part in a fraud investigation.

If you know anything about layoffs at Mishcon de Reya, please send us a confidential tip. And thanks to our tipster!

Mishcon de Reya is a London law firm specializing in commercial law. It was formed when Victor Mishcon merged with Bartletts de Reya in 1988. The firm came to wider notice when partner Anthony Julius represented Diana, Princess of Wales in her divorce.

The Week in Law Firm Layoffs

Erik Even — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:00:20 +0000

This week in law firm layoffs:

Ruden McClosky: 8 lawyers

Allens Arthur Robinson: 114 undisclosed

Weil, Gotshal & Manges: 16 lawyers, 11 staff

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert: 49 undisclosed

Taylor Wessing: 11 lawyers

Denton Wilde Sapte: 14 lawyers

Harvard Law School: 12 undisclosed

Total: 49 lawyers, 11 staff, 175 undisclosed

Previously:

Week of June 28th: 30 lawyers, 43 staff

Week of June 14th: 51 lawyers, 34 staff

Week of June 7th: 81 lawyers, 61 staff, 85 undisclosed

Week of May 31st: 101 lawyers, 142 staff, 49 undisclosed

Week of May 24th: 66 lawyers, 119 staff

Week of May 17th: 40 lawyers, 118 staff

Week of May 10th: 274 lawyers, 499 staff

Week of May 3rd: 274 lawyers, 160 staff

Week of April 26th: 352 lawyers, 220 staff, 70 undisclosed

Week of April 19th: 61 lawyers, 184 staff

Week of April 12th: 67 lawyers, 50 staff, 115 unidentified

Week of April 5th: 144 lawyers, 310 staff

Week of March 29th: 199 lawyers, 474 staff

Week of March 22nd: 455 lawyers, 219 staff

Week of March 15th: 91 lawyers, 177 staff

Week of March 8th: 574 lawyers, 812 staff

Allens Arthur Robinson Sees 114 Voluntary Redundancies

Erik Even — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:11:04 +0000

Allens Arthur Robinson, which in April offered up to one year’s pay to lawyers who take voluntary redundancies, has seen 114 employees take up the offer and leave the firm.

The redundancies included lawyers, corporate services staff, and secretaries. Twelve people who asked for voluntary redundancies were refused.As

By offering the voluntary redundancies, Allens Arthur says it has avoided involuntary layoffs; and it plans to keep all of its incoming trainees. The firm is now undergoing a restructuring.

Founded in 1822, Allens Arthur Robinson is a commercial law firm in the Asia-Pacific region. In Australia, and throughout the Asia-Pacific region generally, it is considered to be one of the top commercial law firms.

The firm has staff based in 14 cities and eight countries, including Bangkok, Beijing, Brisbane, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Melbourne, Perth, Phnom Penh, Port Moresby, Shanghai, Singapore and Sydney. It is one of the largest law firms in the Asia Pacific region, with almost 200 partners and more than 1500 personnel.

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.

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.

Harvard Law Loses 12 Staff

Erik Even — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:22:47 +0000

The other day, we reported about layoffs at Harvard Law School.

We now know that 12 staffers were let go this week. That’s Harvard Law’s share of the 275 employees laid off at the University overall.

If you have any details about the layoffs at Harvard Law School, please — send us a confidential tip!

Harvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the United States’ oldest law school in continuous operation. It is home to the largest academic law library in the world. HLS is typically ranked in the top three law schools in the nation, and is currently listed as the second best law school in the United States by US News and World Report, behind only Yale Law School.

Dykema Cuts 17 Attorneys, 30 Staff [Correction]

Erik Even — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:01:29 +0000

This week, big law firm layoffs are back. Dykema, which according to a JDJournal tipster has laid off at least 20 lawyers and 30 staff since November, this month let go 17 attorneys and 30 staff, in what appears to be a separate round of cuts., has confirmed that 17 attorneys and 30 staff have been let go since November 2008.

Severance packages were offered. The layoffs were blamed on the economy.

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.

UPDATE

The following statement is from firm chairman Rex Schlaybaugh:

Given the current market conditions, which have affected virtually every industry across the nation, we made the difficult decision to reduce our lawyer ranks by 17 and our staff population by 30 nationally. The firm has provided those who are leaving with severance benefits during this difficult time. This reduction is based on the economic climate. Dykema has a strong and conservative balance sheet, but it is essential that we protect and maintain that strength. The firms that are most effectively managed during tough times will not only survive but will emerge stronger.

DLA Piper Cuts 22 in Middle East

Erik Even — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:37:15 +0000

DLA Piper, which in April laid off eight associates in Dubai, is making another 22 positions redundant in its Middle East offices.

Those affected are one partner, eight non-partner lawyers, and 13 staff. One third of the layoffs are in the Dubai office.

The firm has offices in Cairo, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Kuwait.

DLA Piper is one of the largest law firms in the world, and is (or at least was) the only firm with more than 3,700 lawyers in North America and Europe.

Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt to Hold Layoffs, Cut Salaries

Erik Even — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:37:00 +0000

Blawgs are reporting that Portland, Oregon’s Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt will cut associate salaries and hold layoffs of support staff.

The firm is expected to announce associate pay cuts of between 5% and 10%. First years already only make $110,000.

The number of staff to be cut is as yet unknown.

Simpson Thacher in Midst of Major Layoffs

Erik Even — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:44:56 +0000

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is holding widespread, unannounced layoffs at its New York City headquarters, causing considerable confusion and consternation for lawyers and staff there.

On Friday evening, Simpson Thacher cut between 10 and 20 staffers, targeting its document duplication staff. Monday morning, the firm fired a large, undisclosed number of receptionists.

More layoffs are expected today, and its unknown if attorneys will be affected.

Staffers are calling yesterday “Black Monday.” It seems the unannounced layoffs of the receptionists led to day-long chaos and confusion, as clients could not locate attorneys.

New York City’s Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is one of the oldest and most prestigious law firms in the United States. The firm employs over 800 attorneys in eight offices.

Paul Hastings Hiring in LA, Firing Everywhere Else

Erik Even — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:38:38 +0000

Blawgs are reporting that Paul Hastings is cutting 25 staffers related to document production from several offices, including New York. Severance is being offered.

Document production is being centralized in Los Angeles, and some new positions will be created there. The laid off staffers are being encouraged to apply for the LA jobs, with relocation to be paid by the firm.

In March, the firm laid off 44 associates and 87 staff.

Founded in LA in 1951, Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP is a leading international law firm with over 1,300 attorneys and 18 offices worldwide. Paul Hastings serves a diverse client base that includes many top financial institutions and Fortune 500 companies.

UK Lawyers to Lose 10,000 Jobs by 2011

Erik Even — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:41:47 +0000

London’s The Times newspaper predicts that up to 10,000 UK lawyers could lose their jobs over the next two years, based on interviews with recruiters, consultants and senior law firm partners.

That’s well over 10% of the island nation’s 83,000 privately employed solicitors.

The United Kingdom’s legal sector (including non-lawyers) lost 16,700 jobs in 2008, to 279,800. The 2009 losses are expected to be much worse.

Vacancies for associate solicitors down by 95% this year. One recruitment agency received 700 applications for three entry-level vacancies.

Tipster: Miller Canfield Lays Off 16 Lawyers, 9 Staff [Update]

Erik Even — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:40:06 +0000

A JDJournal tipster informs us that the Detroit headquarters of Miller Canfield has let go 25 people, which includes approximately 16 lawyers, including partners.

The cuts targeted a group that did work for Chrysler.

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.

UPDATE:

Another tipster says: “I was one of three paralegals and three staff members laid off or asked to retire from Miller Canfield’s Chrysler Group on or about December 1, 2008. To the best of my knowledge, the rest were laid off last week.”

Thanks to all our tipsters!