Nationwide Layoff Watch: Duane Morris Trims Marketing and Business Development
Late last night, a tipster told us of “a big round of administrative staff cuts” at Duane Morris. They were centered on the Philadelphia mothership, but also included other offices. As for the extent of the layoffs, “no good sense of how many, but big enough that the local managing partner fired off an email encouraging folks to come by his office and ask questions.”
This morning brings confirmation of the cuts, from the National Law Journal:
Duane Morris, an international law firm with Philadelphia roots, has cut about 18% of its marketing and business development staff, making staff reductions that echo moves at other firms in recent months.The firm, which has about 650 attorneys, now has a marketing and business development team of 30 to 35 people, after eliminating seven managers and staff and hiring three more senior executives in the past few months, said Ed Schechter, the firm’s chief marketing officer.
Most of the eliminated jobs were in Philadelphia, where the bulk of the department’s staff is based, but some were in other offices, including Chicago.
True to form, they’re chalking it up to enhancing efficiency, rather than the tanking economy:
At Duane Morris, cost-cutting was a “secondary” consideration, with the firm primarily interested in building up a more experienced and leaner team, Schechter said in an interview.
Reductions in force don’t sound very conductive to “building up” a “more experienced” team. But a “leaner” one, certainly.
Duane Morris cuts marketing, business development staff [National Law Journal]
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Comments
First-YES!
Post currently #172 in the Lolita thread names the firm in question.
I don't think that's a big deal. Almost all summer associate stories name the firm in question.
Lat removed a lot of comments and closed that thread, but he left comment #172 standing. Presumably that was intentional.
Foursty!
Is Duane Morris the top law firm in Philly? Or is that Morgan Lewis?
30-35 people in the marketing department. Or more. It doesn't matter.
How about some news about white guys with asian girls??
- King of WGWAG
Philly is TTT.
Duane Morris has a Chicago office? I thought I knew most of the decent offices in Chicago, do they have something like 2 attorneys there?
While I don't mean to be harsh to those affected, let's be honest, this board cares about attorney layoffs, not staff. This is not news.
3: he said at the top that he wasn't naming the firm b/c it had a small summer class.
agree with #10
agree with 10--only attorney layoff stories please
They usually start with staff, then move on stealth layoffs of attorneys. So staff layoffs are relevant to associates as well.
again with the links to subscription-based sizes. ATTTL
agree with 10.
again with the links to subscription-based sites. ATTTL
2 = marketing agent from said firm.
#18 - his fingers are too fat to type for himself.
19 - only The Poors type from themselves
Is it true that the firm is merging with Duane Reade (of New York)?
Because, of course, marketing and business development are only important when business is good and everybody is busy.
I thought Duane Morris was a cigarette company.
10 here. Yes, they can be a precursor, but if you need that canary in this mineshaft of an economy, get your head out of your arse. All firms are considering all options. There, you're on notice.
Duane Morris rode my bus in elementary school. He dropped out junior year to become a professional bowler.
Duane was great on What's Happening? Not so great on What's Happening Now?
A 500+ person law firm lays off 21 staffers and this is news?