JD Journal » secretarial and administrative staff

Schiff Hardin Lays Off Support Staff

Erik Even — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:38:39 +0000

Chicago’s Schiff Hardin cut some of its administrative staff this week, as a result of “increased technological efficiencies.”

Schiff Hardin dismissed 11 “unassigned floating secretaries” who were no longer needed at the firm, because there was not work for them to do as a result of “technological advancements,” said spokesperson David Milberg.

The firm, with 432 non-lawyer employees following the reduction, has about three to four lawyers assigned to each secretary.

Schiff Hardin, which notified all employees of the cuts today, said the economic downturn didn’t play a role in the workforce reduction.

Schiff Hardin has more than 400 attorneys practicing out of seven offices nationwide.

Buchanan Ingersoll Cuts Up to 30

Erik Even — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:28:27 +0000

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney eliminated between 25 and 30 administrative positions yesterday.

The firm cut 25 administrative positions in November.

The firm said the latest cuts were based on the economy and not performance; but performance-based layoffs may be on the way.

That process began shortly before the firm’s fiscal-year end of January 31st and goes into March.

Buchanan Ingersoll has seen a number of high-level departures since 2007, and has said it won’t fill those spots simply to increase attorney headcount.

Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney PC is a large US law firm and lobbying group based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The firm has over 500 lawyers in sixteen offices nationwide, and was ranked 82nd on the National Law Journal’s 2008 list of the 250 largest law firms in the US.

Ballard Spahr Latest to Cut Staff

Erik Even — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 22:04:22 +0000

Philly’s Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll has laid off secretarial and administrative staff personnel, the second round of staff cuts at the firm since the summer.

Rumors suggest a significant number of staff cuts at Ballard Spahr, with attorneys being affected as well in the firm’s Los Angeles office. Sources put the number of layoffs between 40 and 65.

For such an ethical firm, you’d think they’d be more forthright about firings.

Ballard Spahr let go 13 support staff around June.

One former Ballard Spahr partner, who wished not to be named, told The Legal Intelligencer the firm missed its budget for 2008.