1,100 Legal Jobs Lost in January

This week the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the latest employment report. The legal sector lost 1,100 jobs in January, a slight decrease from previous months. 2,100 jobs were lost in December, 2,900 jobs were lost in November and 5,800 jobs were lost in October. Between January 2009 and January 2010 the legal services industry has cut 44,700 jobs.

Two big law firms announced more lay offs in January and February. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati laid off 20 staffers and Howrey will cut 94 jobs, including 29 associate positions.  Yet lay offs were 88% lower in January 2010 than they were a year ago.

One reason for the decline in lay offs could be that many deferred first year associates reported to work in January and this offset layoffs elsewhere.