White & Case announced today it will lay off 200 associates and 200 staffers.
From the official announcement:
Following a thorough, strategic review of its business, White & Case LLP announced today a number of measures that will allow the Firm to respond to changing demand in the market for legal services.
These actions include an evaluation of its partnership, which will result in a reduction in the number of partners, commensurate with current and anticipated business needs.
The Firm is also implementing a global workforce reduction of about 200 associates and 200 administrative and business support staff. These reductions will vary by region and practice, based upon the needs of the business. In accordance with local labor laws, the Firm will follow a consultative process in some offices. Those affected will be offered a competitive severance package, as well as other support services to assist them through this transition.
In addition, the Firm is deferring the start date of approximately 60% of this year’s incoming associate class in the US until 2010. Incoming associates who are not deferred will join the Firm on November 2, 2009.
White & Case LLP is a leading global law firm with 2,300 lawyers in 38 offices in 25 countries, and a total staff of more than 4,800. It was founded in New York in 1901.
The American Lawyer ranked the firm sixth by revenue in the US in its annual Am Law 100 financial survey for 2007.