Nationwide Layoff Watch: Dewey & LeBoeuf?
The law firm of Dewey & LeBoeuf has gotten a number of positive shout-outs in ATL. We’ve praised them for everything from their charitable contributions to their sports law practice to Denim Day (which was recently reenacted, last Friday).
But not everything at Dewey & LeBoeuf is peachy keen, it seems. Back in May, in the comments to our post about Dewey’s commendable response to humanitarian crises in China and Myanmar, there was talk of layoffs. We also heard such rumblings around that time by email:
Things aren’t looking so good here at D&L — rumors of layoffs, scaling back the summer associate program, pinching pennies every which way (no reimbursement for ABA dues, etc.).I’ve heard about some layoffs at Dewey LeBeouf. One of my good friends was just laid off…. They’re trying to spin it as a result of the merger, but he thinks it’s that they’re overextended.
Now, a few months later — that was May, and now we’re almost to August — the rumors are surfacing again. From more recent messages we’ve received:
I heard that Dewey and Leboeuf had laid off several paralegals and staff attorneys. Have you heard anything about this?I heard there have been multiple “outplacements” (their term) [at Dewey] in the last week… like at least five within the last week and maybe more in the corporate department (more than ten in the last couple months?). Apparently, they are getting four months’ severance.
We contacted the firm, which denied the layoff rumors and issued this statement, through a spokesperson:
[W]e conduct formal bi-annual performance evaluations for our associates to ensure that we maintain the highest quality of client service. Indeed, we are part way through a performance evaluation cycle now. In addition, throughout the year, we regularly review associate performance informally.As you know, attrition is a feature of life for large law firms. Any departures you may have heard about are not layoffs. In fact, our associate numbers are up from last year.
Read more, after the jump.
Citing increased headcount — what might be called the Paul Hastings defense — while somewhat persuasive, is not completely conclusive. During a bad economy, voluntary associate attrition decreases dramatically, since there’s nowhere for anyone to go. But new associates, including summer associate classes from prior years, continue to arrive. So a firm can have its associate headcount remain stable, or even increase, and still be laying people off.
What’s the difference between a layoff and a performance-related departure? It’s hard to say. Layoffs are often done en masse. But if performance evaluations for everyone take place at fixed points in the year, they will also lead to multiple lawyers being dismissed at roughly the same time.
Layoffs are generally chalked up to the poor economy, rather than subpar associate performance. But when picking whom to lay off, firms will keep the people they regard as high performers, and dismiss those they regard as less stellar. Firms may also raise their standards for what constitutes acceptable performance during a tough business environment, in which there isn’t enough work to go around.
For more on the sometimes elusive distinction between layoffs and performance-related dismissals, see the discussion in the comments to our post about reductions in the ranks at Pillsbury Winthrop.
If you have the inside scoop of what’s going on at D&L, feel free to drop us a line.
Earlier: Humanitarian Crises in Myanmar and China: What’s Your Firm Doing?
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Comments
I think that the mass layoffs at Dewey are reprehensible.
I also think it's unconscionable that they've invited so many summer associates to rely on the firm and now they're only going to be offering 75% of them.
I guess that's how you get to the TTTop, but this behavior by D&L reminds me more of CWT and Dechert than a true top firm like L&W.
Dechert = TTT, especially now that they've hired on the GC of Tyco.
1:17 = Latham & Watkins troll.
#4, probably because Dewey isn't of the same caliber as L&W
Oh well, more biglaw people out of work. Hope you all like public interest, although it pays 1/10 of your previous salary. Better sell that Mercedes.
Dogs in my kennel used to shake off fleas after a big merger all the time. It was no big deal.
FRAT DOG
Nice, 8. I guess I should have gone to AU after all; better public interest networking.
I wrote #8. I saw this coming when I was in Big Law exactly 9 months ago and left to join a more stable regional size law firm. Now I am seeing people being laid off from my old firm because the old white dudes don't want to concede a few % of their multimillion salary.
Considering the $hit talking I see on here from Biglaw associates, you are getting what you deserve. You are not worth your billable rate, and many corporations are getting tired of paying it.
And Dewey joins the ranks of the TTTs populated by the likes of CWT, OMM, McK, SNR etc etc etc. Another firm that will surely get blasted in recruiting once the economy recovers, as it surely will...
Rudy Giuliani's son sues Duke because they cut him from the golf team, and this is what we get? Where's the sports law guy when you need him?
Dewey have Leyouefs?
8: There are many reasonable, fair-minded BigLaw associates, though they may not flock to ATL -- or, perhaps, they prefer lurking.
I think that you made a wise choice, and bring us to another decision that some young lawyers have to make: do I go with the standard NYC BigLaw firm or try to find something more stable in my Ohio hometown? The answer is to find a back-up firm and make contacts from the outset, rather than treating a lay-off as a total surprise.
Well, converting my D&L billing rate to my new public interest rate will be easy; I just have to move the decimal point to the left one spot.
Does anyone else think Dewey Leboeuf and Dechert are getting housed just because they have French names? Watch your backs, Debevoise.
Comment No. 7 referring to "8" illustrates the need to continue referencing timestamps rather than comment numbers, which appear to fluctuate as LAT exercises his editorial line item veto powers.
yes, i agree, too many deLATions going on here.
I have a general networking question for the ATL commentators:
On the floor below me, there’s a small firm that specializes in employment law. Since our restroom is broken, I use the one on their floor and see them constantly.
I don’t know anything about labor law, but I know that networking is important, particularly for 1L employment. Should I e-mail one of the nicer ones and ask for an informational interview? Lunch? What would you do?
Yes, I asked my question this morning, but this seems like a good place and time to ask again.
8 is now 5, 4 is now 1. The first three posts were people saying variations of "First."
Just subtract 3, as of 1:52pm.
1:51, I hope you're just 18 years old and not as incredibly awkward as you sound.
No, he's for real, 18. He asked the same question on a different thread.
16, I say you walk over to a partner's office and tell him your LSAT score.
But be friendly about it, like, "Hey, I work upstairs. Guess what I got on the LSAT?" Then you go back and forth and you'll get to say "higher, higher" a few times because he'll start at 140 and count up by 1s.
It's a great icebreaker.
Pretty pathetic when firms cut people for economic reasons and claim it was all "performance" related. (Of course it is to some extent, as the better performing associates don't get cut when things go south.)
It's a very special day when a layoffs thread can't get to 100 comments (on TTT charges alone) in a couple of hours.
There's just too much to do- silly names, class warfare, and thanking God I'm not in the Moscow office.
19: fine. I'll look for networking tips elsewhere. It seemed like a good opportunity.
Number 16- Don't listen to these other retards. The problem is that this firm is in the same building as your current firm, so it could be really akward to try to feel them out and get a job out of it....I would say don't talk to anyone there for the sake of getting a job, but if you become friendly with one of them, through your bathroom meetings, and it naturally progresses to a level where you think that you could ask about what their firm is all about, without it being weird, then go for it. Just remember it will be weird to be in the same building with your old firm.
No, don't quit, 16. We were just getting started.
But you never said whether you're a lawyer or staff.
Either way, of course you should find a reason to catch up with them. You can't bug them about their matters because you're not in the same firm, but you can mention a high profile employment law matter (in the media) and strike up a running conversation with someone.
After a week or two move in for a lunch or interview. "You know, this really is interesting. I'd consider doing this kind of work someday. Would you want to grab lunch some time and tell me what it's like doing it?"
That's my advice.
Don't quit for some teasing, 16. Just think of how bad Lat gets teased, and he comes back every day- and he's not even anonymous.
#16--while sharing their restroom, wait until a partner is in there taking a slam. bust down the stall door with your resume in hand and offer to wipe his ass. because, if you get a job there, that's what you'll end up doing the whole time anyway.
1:37 - A fair-minded NYC BigLaw associate posting on ATL? I was wondering if you guys did exist.
-Flyover State Lawyer
23 and 24: thanks. I've tried to speak with them before, and they seem nice, but, again, there's something inexplicably awkward about trying to network while washing your hands.
I'm not a lawyer. I'm a someone who's looking for a few contacts in order to find a 1L job. Does that change anything? (No alums at the firm from the school, by the way.)
Im confused. Are you an entering 1L or to be 2L?
1:17 was just baiting you, 1:22.
ZOMG, Flyover State Lawyer, tell me about it! Lafs!
1:51(16)
While using the urinal, casually glance over at your neighbor's member. Then, wink and say 'niiiice' in a sexy voice.
That's how I landed this gig!
Firms will always fire for "performance-related" reasons when the economy sucks. And it's true to a degree: they will have fired the associates because they were the worse. However, they would not have been fired in a better economy when there was work for everyone, and idiots could have just doc reviewed for a year.
The word on the street is that the recently formed Charlotte office of Dewey is about to imploded because the business model of that office is solely based on structured finance and that Wachovia is the main, if not only client of the office.
The word on the street is that the recently formed Charlotte office of Dewey is about to imploded because the business model of that office is solely based on structured finance and that Wachovia is the main, if not only client of the office.
Yeah, Dewey Charlotte is a goner.
So are the other biglaw shops in Charlotte.
28: I work in an unrelated, non-legal industry right now. That's all I'm saying.
WALLY
lat - this isn't rocket science. just keep the original comment number next to the comment regardless of whether there are deletions of previous comments. so what if the sequence skips a few numbers here and there? its better than this ridiculousness.
hes going to be a iL. if he is going to be 2L then he is not looking for a job now
Paralegals? Don't they always leave every July/August to try out law school? As for staff attorneys, they don't have any!
Dewey Ballantine was always a dishonest bunch of scumbags. They got that reputation among my classmates when I was doing 2L recruiting (I wasn't looking in NYC at the time, but was at an NYC school).
A few years after graduating I considered them as a lateral. Went in for a full round of interviews, and even though I thought their personalities sucked I kept my happy face on and did my best. They bring me back for a final interview with the head of the group, who tells me that everyone loved talking to me and proceeds to sell the firm for 30 minutes without asking any questions of me. Then says he's gotta run, but that he wants me to really consider working for them. A week later, they call my headhunter and say they're passing. My headhunter couldn't believe it, and after I assured her the interviews went great she asked DB what happened and they said I "lacked confidence". Total nonsense.
Anyway, I ended up at a better firm. But those guys are a bunch of lying douchebags. Don't forget their racist Christmas party incidents either.
Four month severance!
Fire me - I hate my job.
D&L 4th Year.
Four month severance!
Fire me - I hate my job.
D&L 4th Year.
Fuck the akward loser. Get back to the topic at hand.
D&L has been going down ever since the merger. Looks like Dewey was more bankrupt than LeBoeuf realized.
#16 - Just start showing up there one day as if you already work there. Soon enough the partners will start giving you work. Then just call HR and tell them there has been some snafu because you haven't been getting your pay checks. Paperwork got lost or something. That's all there is to it.
2:42
i can't believe they didn't hire you. what a bunch of scumbags.
so, is there any confirmation that people have been let go?
top bankruptcy group now...
inono guys, i hear LeBoeuf really comes into his own in the new transformer movie.
This story is about 4 months old...I haven't heard rumors of layoffs since May.
D&L Associate
35, from what I understand the K&S office in Charlotte is rocking along pretty good, but they don't do any structured finance work. I'm sure there are some other biglaw shops in Charlotte that aren't dependent on structured finance either.
They should be firing assholes that send inappropriate firmwide e-mails over blackberry and cheat on their spouses.
They should be firing assholes that send inappropriate firmwide e-mails over blackberry and cheat on their spouses.
Um. I think it should be "semi-annually" not "bi-annually."
Um, everyone at D&L knows who 52 is talking about - not really a subtle leak on your part
Um, 55, it wasn't meant to be subtle. Nor is it exactly a leak on my part since both incidents have been discussed ad nauseum on this blog in the past.
54 you're thinking of "biennial" not "biannual"
i dont know who 52 is referring to, do tell!
52 is referring to Barack Obama
The latter half of 52's post could be about any number of individuals at the firm.
What firm doesnt have a partner that sexually harrasses female associates and they subsequently have to brush it under the rug?
61 - Crane, Poole and Schmidt?
62- Sorry should have said BigLaw
So is there any substance here or just a rumor from April? No one has commented with additional inside information or " a friend of a friend told me..." which you normally see in these talkbacks.
how about also firing the associates who sleep around with the married partners and get rewarded? all adulterers must go!
ya, this chain is pretty lame, I guess all the DL'ers are too scared for their jobs to post
Some staff attorneys got sacked? I'm not worried. I bill a lot more than they are paying me.
poopin' in a hat
I heard a few rumors months ago, but they turned out to be unsubstantiated as far as I could tell.
--D&L Associate
I know several associates at D&L and none are billing more than 100 hours a month. Either these people don't know how to run a business and they will keep their associates to avoid bad PR, or they understand economics and lawyers will get laid off. This is why law students should pick firms that have sustainable practices and strong reputations to attract business even in down markets. People at Cravath, Wachtell, S&C, Davis Polk, and Skadden have actually never been busier. I think a lot of associates at middle tier firms should be prepared to be laid off over the next year. Start saving now.
I know several associates at D&L and none are billing more than 100 hours a month. Either these people don't know how to run a business and they will keep their associates to avoid bad PR, or they understand economics and lawyers will get laid off. This is why law students should pick firms that have sustainable practices and strong reputations to attract business even in down markets. People at Cravath, Wachtell, S&C, Davis Polk, and Skadden have actually never been busier. I think a lot of associates at middle tier firms should be prepared to be laid off over the next year. Start saving now.
People in my high school were laid off all the time, especially after they slept with all the partners and were no longer of use to anyone.
1/3 of this year's class is not getting offers. at least real ones. this was decided in a meeting 2 weeks ago.
p.s. we are also checking the timestamps on your entry keycard.
Stop scaring the summers...D&L will give an offer to every single summer - even to those who don't deserve it. It is true that some associates were fired in Jan and Feb, but it was more of a trimming the fat type move than a real layoff. It is very true that a large number of associates at D&L are not billing as much as usual, and that there has been cost cutting, but I personally am grateful to the firm for riding out the storm and not doing layoffs. The firm is very fair so far as big law firms go.
-D&L Associate
I think the reason AU's reputation is so poor is related to three things: (1) according to U.S. News and World Report, AU is the lowest ranking law school on the east coast; (2) according to the ABA's Standing Committee on Law School Accredidation, as of February 2008, AU's accrediation has been suspended; and (3) according to most commenters on this site, no AU student would accept a slot at AU if he/she also was accepted to GULC, GW, Catholic, Maryland, Baltimore, GMU, UDC, Howard, or any other area-school.
Sincerely,
Concerned AU alumni
75,
Wow. I didn't know AU has such a shoddy reputation. I think I'll transfer to a higher-ranked school, like Regent.
Current AU student
75,
Wow. I didn't know AU has such a shoddy reputation. I think I'll transfer to a higher-ranked school, like Regent.
Current AU student
71--Or select a strong regional firm with long history and a solid book of business and attorneys with good reputation. I moved to one (80 lawyers) from D&L about 3 years ago and we are as busy as ever--which is probably why we are constantly being courted by Biglaw. By the way, we pay our first years $160K. Bonus is less than D&L but associates don't work the crazy hours and the prospect of becoming a partner in 8 years or so is good. I was an associate at D&L so I can say this--D&L and firms like it are only good as a resume filler until you move onto a better firm where you can actually have a career. Trust me, these regional firms (while fast disappearing due to on-going consolidations) exist in every major city in the US. Look for one in your neck of the woods if you've been at Biglaw a couple of years and are ready to move-on.
Dewey LeBoeuf recruits at AU. Of course its attorneys have Downs Syndrome and were fired for cause.
Best way to achieve TTT status is to lay off associates and hire GT service partners. Interesting business model.
Best way to achieve TTT status is to lay off associates and hire GT service partners. Interesting business model.
Best way to achieve TTT status is to lay off associates and hire GT service partners. Interesting business model.
If anyone cares, Alston & Bird Charlotte has started laying people. First casualty happened on Wednesday. Basically, they waited for the summers to leave before rolling out the guillotine.
If anyone cares, Alston & Bird Charlotte has started laying off people. First casualty happened on Wednesday. Basically, they waited for the summers to leave before rolling out the guillotine.
If anyone cares, Alston & Bird Charlotte has started laying off people. First casualty happened on Wednesday. Basically, they waited for the summers to leave before rolling out the guillotine.
You need to send that to the tips address at ATL from an A&B e-mail address, 83-85.
RE: D&L Official Response .... I call bulls*it! I am one of the layoffs and we NEVER had semi-annual reviews. So glad I'm out of that soul suck of a crap hole.
8:40, there was no D&L 3 years ago, so which did you leave, D or L? Also, good luck getting solid info from an 80 attorney firm re: their book of business. I'm sure all the partners will just let you peruse their accounts and have frank conversations with clients. WOW, a 3d year from NYC is coming over, let's just bend over backwards!!!
Raw Dawg got things to say and you should listen cuz Raw Dawg a mof**ckin' padner at D&L, yo:
(1) D&L don't recruit at no AU. AU be broke as sh*t, no offense. Go Eagles, Jeff Jones the bomb.
(2) D&L be paying too much for all yall lame ass associates. D&L associates just keep wantin shit -- like they want a cappuccino machine and they want an allowance to go out to lunch with their mentors and they want challenging work to do and they want to buy some new cufflinks or save up money for a sex change. They all be like "boo hoo! we aint got no work! We getting 200 aint doin shit. Why don't I get billable credit for setting up womens empowerment cooperatives in rural Sri Lanka? Boo hoo! Poor me" Yall suck. that one reason Raw Dawg ride you like he does.
And Raw Dawg got news: yall overpaid an ugly as sh!t. You might got money, but you still fat, you still smell like a stank ass foot. If Raw Dawg wanna bury his bone, Raw Dawg gonna. Raw Dawg do anything he wanna! Raw Dawg get away with anything he wanna! Raw Dawg an animal, ride you like one. Best thing to happen to you. Know why? He a big dog, you aint shit. You start bringin in work, maybe Raw Dawg respect you. But you got nothing, and Raw Dawg got all the meat.
But Raw Dawg cant bring home enough meat to keep D&L up. There been layoffs, there gonna be more layoffs. None the other lameass padners got any work! Time be, Raw Dawg gonna be Alpha Dog, feel me? Awoo! Awf! Awf!
Raw Dawg out, yall.
Simpson Thacher has been laying off people! they have been laying people left and right ......including women attorney on flex time......that is the word around the firm......
It is true....Simpson has been laying off lots of junior associates.....they are keeping it very quiet
87 - You must be legacy LeBoeuf. Dewey always had semiannual reviews. And I call bullshit on the whole rumor.
73,
They're not just checking the time you swipe in in NY.
- another DL Associate not in NY
Is there a single person who finds 11:44 funny?
5:48: I sense bitterness at the fact that you're still in front of your computer at quarter till 6 am.
McDermott Will DC has pushed out around 25 with 2 to 6 month's to find something else. Morale is low
7:35/95 - I'm still in front of the computer. And I'm still bitter, but that doesn't change the fact that that guy is a retard and painfully unfunny.
I agree with 97.
all (ALL) biglaw firms are bloated from the excesses of the last boomlet - this is all merely rightsizing.
the fact is bottom of the class at shit law =/= worthy of biglaw . 2004-2007 were anomolies.
90-91: I'm in litigation at Simpson, and things seem busier than ever. I'd be shocked if there were any layoffs on this side of the practice. On the contrary, I know some juniors are trying to get out because of the overwhelming workload (massive antitrust case, etc.). I don't know what's happening in corporate, to be fair.
Is it true most Hartford associates are heading to other offices of the firm? Word is that the majority are going to stay with the firm...Wonder how this shake-up will impact them.
I was D, left before the L merger, and I never had a semi-annual review. My partners barely cared enough to do the annual review they had to do.
When are BigLawyers going to realize that law is a business, not a profession. Businesses lay off people when things get slow. We are not immune to this. So stop crying about the unfairness of it all when law firms act like profit maximizing businesses. We get paid a lot, save your pennies while you have a job. Nevertheless its good we have "unionized" and make these layoffs public for the benefit of future recruits/laterals - lets just not pretend it was unfair.
So is it true that after the merger, officially, there are semi-annual reviews? Because that wasn't my understanding at all.
To 101: Not that anyone cares, but many Hartford associates have already left for other firms in town paying on NY pay scale; the rest are soon to follow. With few exceptions, most attorneys (at all levels) in the office appear to have one foot out the door.
To 101: Not that anyone cares, but many Hartford associates have already left for other firms in town paying on NY pay scale; the rest are soon to follow. With few exceptions, most attorneys (at all levels) in the office appear to have one foot out the door.
88--8:40 here. Left D before D & L. And my experience at D was just like 102's. It was a piece of sh**hole.
I worked at LLGM for a few years pre-merger and you were lucky to get a review within 18 months. I'm sure any layoffs will be merit-based, but the associates won't know it because they're still waiting on their 06 evaluations.
D&L is certainly laying attorneys off. Associates were laid off in May and will likely continue to be on a rolling basis for groups that are slow and have little prospect of improving in the near-term (like mine). Reviews for associates (through May) were due Friday. There's not much to cry about here, associates at D&L are paid well, and if there is no work there is no justification for the pay. At the same time, our billing rates have jumped (again) recently and all D&L associates are being pressed to record their time as quickly as possible as well as fill out "projections" for what their billable time will be next week. I'm from the D side and am awestruck by the "projections" requirement -- the level of pressure being pushed down on associates from outside of your own group is impressive. Nevertheless, as unsustainable as this all seems now, there doesn't appear to be anything happening at D&L that is that different from what almost every other BigLaw associate is facing.
11:28/109 -- you're right. The billable hour pressure at D&L is ludicrous. The idea behind the weekly "projections" is at least ostensibly to see who's available for work, but the problem is that unless you're very junior (1st-2nd yr), your billing rate is too high for you to get any work from outside your group anyway, and the people inside your group would have already given you work if they had any.
Just wait to see the bloodbath at PHJW at the end of the summer.
Just wait to see the bloodbath at PHJW at the end of the summer.
Just wait to see the bloodbath at PHJW at the end of the summer.
Let's stop beating around the bush and get to the real issue here: has anyone seen the "art" at D&L's DC office? One floor features 2-liter coke bottles stuck together with trash bags; another floor features lumps of bronzed poop. Seriously.
CWT
More Raw Dawg!
Non-NY DL here-I've heard zip about layoffs from my NY colleagues (except for a few jackasses who never showed up for work anyway). I think this whole "rumor" was an attempt to generate comments.
Oh and for the record anyone reading this a few weeks later, DL NY Summer Associate here, and 100% of the summer class got offers.
But wasn't the summer class rather small to begin with?