Awww, ever a bridesmaid...

Heard about this a week ago and surprised it isn't dead yet. Heller's numbers are NOT good -- not much left for Mayer. If Baker passed, why on earth would an actual decent firm like Mayer be interested?

The Italian Bird was referred to as the "village bicycle." You almost had it right though.

4 - That's what paraphrase means.

Why would any firm pay for all of Heller when they can just hire away the few rainmakers left and ditch all the service partners.

Good grief. Is there anyone left at Heller that isn't looking to jump ship?

Which of these has the better Bratislava office??

8 - Heller's is the only one with a Bratislava office. MB does have an office in Brno. I'd imagine that if a merger takes place, these two offices might merge.

HTH

7 - no

Heller is a good firm. There are lots of great partners still there. The securities and IP groups, for instance, remain largely intact. I hope this works out for them. Though I still feel sorry for the associates who have to deal with all this uncertainty.

--Former Heller Associate

Elie, the firm's full name is Mayer Brown LLP - there is no more Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw.

Tell that to Maw.

Time for the great partners to disband

I heard Heller was talking merger with Foley Hoag

"Heller Ehrman is a fine firm, home to many excellent lawyers and decent people, including much of its leadership (which can't be said of every firm out there). We wish them good luck in getting past the current instability."
-Lat

"To paraphrase Austin Powers, Heller Ehrman is getting to "town bicycle" status. The latest firm to take a ride through Heller's financials: Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw."
-The new douche who can't even get movie quotes or firm names right.

Something is dreadfully wrong with all of this. Its just crazy talk. What Heller needs is more cowbell.

I heard Heller was talking merger with Coudert Brothers

"Why would any firm pay for all of Heller when they can just hire away the few rainmakers left and ditch all the service partners."

Maybe the "few rainmakers" have a sense of decency and loyalty to their partners, and want to help Heller pull through?

Heller is going to merge with Brobeck.

I heard Heller was talking merger with Heavener

Is anyone else creeped out by the guys in the cartoon in this post? The guy in the light gray suit looks like a total perv.

Mayar Brown to 190...failed mergers.

Watch for Heller to get rid of a bunch of associates in a couple of months if a merger doesn't go through very soon. Annual reviews are coming up.

MungerHeller & Strook.

Heller should merge with Paris Hilton! Think of the great PR -such as the cover of US Magazine and free perfume samples to prospective clients! (LOL)

26: shouldn't you be studying algebra or something? It's almost your bedtime.

doodie

so much for improving communication with associates so we don't have to get our information from ATL

Yawn. Call me when there is news about a merger or acquisition involving Thelen.

Seconding #29.

The rumor is that the Winston/Heller merger collapsed when the parties were unable to agree to an equitable distribution of Winston's Wow Bao.

Look for associate layoffs next week.

that "nigerian guy" comment...how un pc.

Wow, 34 comments and nothing about Heller being TTT.

Good lord. TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

33, Can you confirm that - how do you know it's going to happen and do you know in what offices?

Elie,
Pretty good this time around. I personally liked the Nigerian guy comment, but remember Althouse's racism alert. By the way, I know you are not white, but still...

There will be no merger. Heller's financials are worse than suggested by the Am Law article. Shareholders recently were informed that the firm will miss this year's already downwardly-revised budget by at least 20%. Heller simply cannot pay the price of admission for any merger. Likewise, no suitor can afford to carry Heller for as long as it would take to make the deep, painful cuts and reorganization necessary to make the firm profitable once again. Firm after firm is reaching this conclusion after inspecting Heller's books.

Not so long ago, the much-vaunted "Heller Ehrman culture" would have been strong and deep enough to see the firm through these tough times, with or without a merger. Not any longer. The culture, which in its day was nothing short of awesome, was willingly and knowingly sacrficed in a determined effort to increase the firm's PEP. All to chase a dream only firm management and its high-priced consultants thought possible, or even desireable. Such a pity.

Heller is, or at least was, a truly great firm. I wish them well, but do not think they will make it.

I truly and deeply hope 39 is wrong, but I fear and suspect that s/he is not.

39, you hit the nail right on the head. Ouch!!

Heller associate here. I really hope management reads this.

Dear Management,
We all know about the Mayer talks. You confirmed merger talks in those lunches we had in SF with Barry, but not much else. I've heard more from my secretary, and from the associate rumor mill than I ever expect to hear from you. Larrabee's comments at the associate meeting a couple weeks ago pissed us off to no end. You essentially told us there were going to be associate layoffs. Well, many of us are now looking for work elsewhere, and the great Heller culture that we came here for is falling apart--and fast.

Now we are going into a long weekend, that many of us WERE looking forward too. Secretaries, associates, staff, etc. are all scared shitless. I kid you not. People are still working, but, to be honest, productivity levels are on the decline. The talk amongst associates is that now is the time to start looking elsewhere. We know that certain shareholders are looking to exit as well. We went to the best law schools, clerked for some of the best judges and are generally pretty smart. You can't hoodwink us anymore. We know what's going on.

So, have a little decency. Come clean sooner rather than later. If you are going to let us go, then let us go. But stop torturing us. Enough is enough. This has been going on since the beginning of the summer at least. Start telling the truth, and stop being such f***ing lawyers about the whole thing.

And to all those considering coming here--despite management problems, it's still a great firm at its core, with exceedingly gifted, smart, and, most importantly, nice people. If management can somehow clean up their act in the next couple months, and there are no layoffs next week, then take that offer. Otherwise, I advise you to stay well away. The earlier post about layoffs is probably not far from the mark. At this point, I doubt that anyone would be surprised.

So in closing, I really hope that management comes clean soon and just makes a decision and sticks with it--for the sake of all of the absolutely wonderful people I work with that management, until this summer, seemed to care so genuinely about.

Sincerely,
SF Associate

39 - Mayer Brown has gutted itself, the shitty lawfirm it merged with in London (still with the same PEP after 6 years) and the shitty law firm it merged with in HK (which has 25% of the PEP it had 6 years ago). I wouldn't sell Heller short for having shitty financials. Mayer Brown itself is 20+% off its downward reduced budget (which comically is set about now, when the year is almost over). Sounds like a TTT marriage made in TTT heaven by a TTT dating service for TTT firms.

Elie, this is a good post (timely, crisp, and good use of the Nigerian guy humor). Use it for comparison purposes to evaluate some of your other ones. I know you're learning on the job, but you need to step it up a notch.

The impression I've gotten so far this recruiting cycle is that law students are loath to interview with either Heller or Mayer, for the same reasons discussed here.

Why go to some place that has no direction and is likely to blow sky-high? Law students learning something? Whoa.

42-I wish you the best of luck during this stressful time. Thanks for the insight and honesty.

You are not gifted. And you will find your lateral options are very limited without portables.

You = EPIC fail at life.

So, we all knew there was a plan B merger candidate. Than on a Thursday, the Mayer rumor doesn't just spread out (like Baker, Winston, etc did), it explodes onto the scene. Suddenly, everyone has heard about it and than boom the internet lights up with it. This feels different/strange. Any thoughts? Coordinated information release? Deal being inked? Insurance group got their pink slips? What the hell is going on? Something is strange.

45, you must be high. I did OCI for Mayer and there were students trying to walk on because the schedule was full and they didn't get picked for interviews.

Needless to say there are several practice groups at Heller that are play. Think IP and energy. Each group has highly respected partners with portables on both coasts. Opportunities abound.

20, they already did - Exhibit A in the terrible strategery of the last decade. 39, exactly right.

Totally agree with 22. The liscivious cartoon guy creeps me out.

Totally agree with 22. The liscivious cartoon guy creeps me out.

What's so special about this "Heller culture" I keep reading so much about? In my many, many interactions with Heller attorneys, I never really considered them -- much less their firm -- much different than any other group I've worked across from.

Thoughts?

Guess you don't know the secret handshake, 54.

The culture used to be (and still is in some small pockets) one of people who don't define themselves by their jobs.

The lawyers here are very smart and very talented, but they don't believe in sacrificing their lives for their jobs. Partners commonly are out of the office by 6 to go see kid's soccer games, etc. And, in that same vein, associates are allowed to do the same.

The work still has to get done, but if I (as an associate) can make it work so that I leave for a few hours from 6-9 to go to happy hour with my friends, that is completely acceptable.

Most Heller attorneys recognize that this is a job -- and it used to be a good job -- but it is not life.

33--Really easy to come on here talking all reckless about layoffs from behind a keyboard. Why don't you abandon anonymity and say the same things? I guess freaking successful people out unnecessarily brings you some joy as you sit in your cube at your temporary lawyer job...

Spot on, 56.

Well said, 42. I'm sure it will get back to management. But, unfortunately, I don't think it will matter. There was a time when that kind of post would have been taken very seriously and steps would have been taken to address associates' concerns. No longer. The air of desparation is so thick in our offices, you can choke on it. If there is any hope for this firm, something needs to happen VERY soon. Otherwise, there will be few left to merge with.

Well said, 42. I'm sure it will get back to management. But, unfortunately, I don't think it will matter. There was a time when that kind of post would have been taken very seriously and steps would have been taken to address associates' concerns. No longer. The air of desparation is so thick in our offices, you can choke on it. If there is any hope for this firm, something needs to happen VERY soon. Otherwise, there will be few left to merge with.

59 and 42, people do take it seriously. The "Heller Culture" matters more to the partners than it does to anyone, and if you think people aren't concerned about losing the group of people they practice with, some of us for 30 years -- not to mention potentially losing their capital -- you are not thinking clearly. Do you all want to be at the negotiating table? Do you think that would help? Take a deep breath and let people do their jobs, which includes trying to preserve yours in an economy that is not being kind to any law firm.

61, that's asking for a whole lot of trust from a group of people who haven't been given much of a reason for trust. Given the complete lack of candor by management thus far (not to mention the suggestion of pending layoffs), why should a random Heller associate believe that the partnership is looking out for his interests, rather than believing that the partners are looking out for their own interests, and the associates are just lucky if the partners' interests happen to align with theirs?

61, We've been taking a "deep breath" all summer, and drinking whatever Kool-Aid the management puts in front of us for months. Enough is enough. I used to tell recruiters I am happy where I am, trusting that the management would do whatever necessary to keep the firm together and preserve the Heller Culture. Well, now I'm telling them to call back in a couple weeks. Because it is clear that something is about to go down, and it is not going to be all roses.

Well said 61. Also, I have a problem with 39's post. To the extent that 39 actually knows the information he/she is stating, then disclosing it on ATL board is an obvious breach of fiduciary obligations and lacks basic common sense. If 39 is just making an educated guess, then it's counterproductive and harmful to the institution and its attorneys. You're entitled to your opinion 39, but you should not couch your opinion as a statement of fact.

61, everyone knows you can't say much in light of whats going on, but maybe there are things you could say or do, short of details which would make people feel better. From what I've heard, there is near complete silence compounded with all sorts of indications that something is afoot. I don't know if everyone is as fatalistic as 39, but nonetheless...

This just in: in a stunning move, Heller confirms that its new merger partner is a little-known first-term governor from Alaska.

61 - no one is suggesting that everyone should be at the negotiating table. The problem is that associates have one source of information right now and it's highly unreliable. Do we believe 39 or don't we. Do we believe the posts that if a Mayer merger goes through it won't include the insurance recovery group or don't we? If so, is the firm going to do anything to help those folks land on their feet? What about potential layoffs? Do you want us to all blindly trust the firm, bury our heads in the sand and hope we're not the ones the firm trims off?

You and the other shareholders can be angry by the information posted here and the air of discontent, but it is one of your own creation through silence. The associate corps is not, as you might think, a group of 24 year old over-privileged, over-paid kids with an over-developed sense of entitlement. We have families and mortgages just like you. To tell us to sit out here in the silence and blindly trust that the firm knows what it's doing when every visible indicator says otherwise is asking far too much.

64: thanks for confirming 39's numbers

Gee, I wonder, if I had the right plumbing, could I still be drawing a big fat paycheck just to stay home and take care of my babies (no, they are not his). Someone's going to get let go from that place and they'll be smart enough to use that "dynomite" to settle for some big, big bucks!!

Gee, I wonder, if I had the right plumbing, could I still be drawing a big fat paycheck just to stay home and take care of my babies (no, they are not his). Someone's going to get let go from that place and they'll be smart enough to use that "dynomite" to settle for some big, big bucks!!

69: What? Is that even English? Is that an intentional reference to Good Times? I couldn't even begin to tell you what your point is.

69/70 You sound like a complete douchbag. So I suppose even if you did have the right plumbing, you'd still have a hard time getting laid, let alone pregnant. And what does your fantasy about being a chick and having kids have to do with Heller? Virtually every firm has a parental leave program--it's the law, you dumbass. Go back to work and fantasize about your c-section.

Heller Associates: I feel for you. You went to Heller thinking you were joining a top notch SF firm and it turns out firm management has let it fall apart. Unexpected and highly unfortunate.

One thing I don't understand: why are you still there? The firm is having some MAJOR difficulties. Partner departures, decreasing revenues and ridiculously late start dates. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that things are going very badly and there is a strong likelihood that the firm will never recover. So, what are you waiting for? It is high time to update your resume and get on the job market. Sure, the market sucks, but delaying doesn't make it any better. And it's going to be a lot worse when Heller actually does fold and there are suddenly 100 extra associates on the market with you.

67: you in particular should have left a long time ago. Are you seriously in the insurance recovery group and you’re still at Heller? What are you waiting for?

Gee, I wonder....

Okay, let me make it clearer. There's a certain employee (who shall remain nameless) who F****ED one of the movers and shakers (you figure it out), who still, even though something like 300-400 people have lost their jobs, holds onto hers. Holds onto it even though it's an empty title because her duties have been shifted to someone else. She "works" from home, taking care of her kids and still continues to draw a big, fat check. Now, all I'm saying is, if I was working there and let go, that's not the kind of information the firm would want made public, ergo, the dynamite! With movers and shakers like that running the place, it's no small wonder the place is going down toilet.

Heller people (and the vultures who love them) -

61, that's a nice post, you kind of put yourself out here. 39, you're trigger happy and would better serve yourself, your firm, and the legal community by not babbling about all the shapes you see in the shadows. 42, take a deep breath, you mean well but there is a bit too much panic in there, and you ask for too much. 67, you are right in so many ways, except that's just how life is sometimes. 73, thanks for the sympathy, the answer to your question is likely - more often than not - because the attorneys care about the firm.

Heller is stumbling, but has not fallen. It still has strong groups with steady revenue streams and there are still far more people interested in seeing it through than running for the door (knowing where to find the door is another matter and admittedly makes sense right now). The firm tried to be a big league international firm through organic growth (no big merger-roids) and failed; it's just not the way things work anymore. So it's readjustment time.

What this means is that it either merges or shrinks (maybe both, but the time frame is perhaps different). The only reason the firm will dissolve is because of panic and (un)popular opinion, not because of financial frailty (the posted financials are all exaggerated). Basically, to quote Twain in the employ of Heller: "the rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated".

And I don't think there will be layoffs next week. It doesn't make sense. They pushed back the 1st year start date to avoid overlap. If there is no merger, which will be known in the next couple weeks, there will be layoffs as the firm readjusts through the end of the year. But this is still out there - probably into October. Even if it is sooner, I am guessing everyone gets paid through the end of the year, which is a long way away. (If there is a rumor about next week perhaps this is the insurance group... I don't know anything about that).

Chaosment (hard to call it management) has not done a good job dealing with associates; that much is clear from the responses. But more generally, the partner response has been candid, honest, and friendly - that's part of the problem in a way, too many people ARE talking. There are good people at Heller, and they get it; and I believe 61 when s/he says culture matters as much to them as anyone. The partners, some of whom are not even responsible for this mess, have put themselves in the line of fire trying to reassure, and communicate with, associates. I have personally seen partners struggle with the inability to share what they know; the inability to redirect the ship personally; and the inability to share in the frustration the associates have with the way things have gone (read: management). So I do feel like "Heller" has responded respectably. Really what people are talking about is a few large issues: the dragging out of the merger process (which has to end one way or another with this last conversation), and the all-too-often awkward and vague statements of certain individuals in charge (that odd quip about layoffs was unartful and truly unacceptable).

And on this note, rather than cue Taps for Heller culture, this is perhaps a time to remember that "culture" in this context is not about the management/associate relationship (which is a business relationship), it is about the relationships among the lawyers and the lawyers within their own lives. This is still very much intact. Inside and outside this office this is still a really great bunch of intelligent, amusing, insightful, and interesting people.

Lastly, for law students, or those doing on campus interviews, I wouldn't dismiss Heller outright. Everything will be illuminated by the Dec 1 NALP deadline, and if they merge with MB, it will be a powerful firm with excellent practices. If it doesn't, it will likely re-size and remain a strong regional firm headquartered in the Bay Area and, I assume, a good place to work. Certainly don't put all your eggs in the Heller basket, but check it out for yourself before listening the histrionics of unhappy and nervous students and associates - very few of whom truly know what they are talking about.

I know I am not heading my own advice by describing shapes in the shadows, but this just makes sense. For my part, I hope the MB merger goes through, it sounds like a nice fit. And lastly, for those at Heller, maybe it does make sense to dust off the resume, but I suggest hanging in there for a bit longer, focus on the good, do your work and I'm guessing there is a solid chance this will turn out ok.

For anyone who knows their history, Heller is nothing like the firms that have traditionally failed in situations like this.

PS. I honestly don't know what TTT means (Third Tier Trash?), but HE is far from that (ask any judge what s/he thinks of Heller attorneys). And about people who throw that term around - generally, it seems to me that if you work at a more prestigious firm, great for you and why would you care what Heller is? And if you work at a "worse" firm, that's just sad. And if your firm is about the same... well...

and don't flame me for typos...

61: why don't you and/or management convey this to the associates in real life? the associates understand you cant give details. but hearing that you care, and why you care, and that you are actually thinking of their welfare would help. right now associates feel like you're out for yourselves, not even as shareholders but as individuals. being honest as honest as you can would help.

75, thanks for your thoughtful comment. Unfortunately, it's hard to have any comfort as an associate when there are a number of shareholders looking to jump ship even while insisting (or at the very least least implying) that they will stick around. This pattern has repeated itself over and over in the past few months.

It is also very clear to everyone at the firm that Heller is overstaffed at the associate level. There just isn't enough work right now to keep all the associates busy. Realistically, I don't see how Heller can afford not to lay off associates unless something miraculous happens soon. What's troubling is that it appears to me that the firm will be conducting these de facto layoffs via "performance-based" terminations, thereby screwing associates. I don't have concrete proof that things will play out this way but my instinct tells me this is what will happen.

I still believe management is trying its hardest to come through and save the day. There have been a few missteps in terms of communication but it is also totally unrealistic for associates to expect management to divulge information about ongoing merger talks. I wish that management would at least acknowledge that in a worst case scenario, there might be layoffs. But instead we have to sit around anxiously wondering if we will still have jobs in four months.

75 - that may be the most rational, well-thought-out comment I've ever read on Above The Law. I agree with almost everything you say and thank you for a much-needed dose of perspective.

Plain to see that 39 is a former Heller partner (or soon to be former Heller partner) No other way to know those numbers. Nice disclosure dude - is this resentment talking or truth?

Am I the only one out there starving for some kind of update? Even baseless speculation and misinformation would be nice

Nope - I'm starving for an update as well. Too bad when new comments are posted on a topic on this site there's no way of knowing on the main page about it - like a 'recent posts' category or the like.

Anyway, what's the latest?

77, Heller Ehrman has always blamed associates' performance when laying them off, even when the layoffs were clearly related to the bad economy. This was true in the early 90s and has continued unabated ever since.

75 & 78 = Matt Larrabee.

If I don't come in this Friday, can they still lay me off?

Is something happening this Friday?

No.

Is Heller looking for a merger partner on Craigslist?

http://london.craigslist.co.uk/bfs/826534661.html

87: WTF?

87: If you had thrown in a reference to the Hale Bop comet, I think the post would have been complete.

87: what world do you live in? this is big law and that is all you have? ... that's barely a weekend in the Hamptons for Latham, Skadden, Cravath, etc...

Craigslist is now blocked on the Heller network.

91, Don't they have more important things to be doing, like hounding associates about filling out our self-evaluations for their annual reviews?

I'm hearings noises about associate layoffs as early as next week. Don't know which offices or practice groups.

Larrabee just sent a confidential voicemail to all the shareholders about an hour ago. Anybody know what was in it?

93, I would suspect CCL, Securities and/or Antitrust. Unless there's a merger in place, in which case the Insurance Recovery group (partners and associates) will be dropped. Only IP Lit is safe.

93, I think you're wrong. 94, I think its because the deal has been sealed.

95, any thoughts on the corporate/vlg group?

95: i think you are way off on your PG determinations

I guess we'll know one way or another next week.

care to enlighten us, 98? 95 sounds right on the money to me.

The SF all attorney dinner next Saturday (for which invitations went out months ago) was just postponed indefinitely "in light of all going on at the moment."

94, how do you know?

no action wtf

craigslist is now unblocked

i can't believe nobody knows anything - spill it

105 - Second

What was in the Friday voicemail?

105 and 106, you guys need better sources than this stupid website. Friday voicemail was that a term sheet has been executed. They're probably voting this week. Maybe they already have. Also, numerous partners from a certain practice group have quietly stepped out of the office for the last two days. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what's going on.

History repeats itself. http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1045793301225

Mayer Brown is voting on the 15th.

107: you had me until you link to the Brobeck story. I understand why people keep making this comparison; but, if you actually compare the Brobeck timeline with what Heller is going through (in terms of the number of partner defections and the long-standing and well-know debt and eventual default on a major commercial loan) it seems fairly unlikely that we will see a similar result here. I am not saying the firm won't dissolve; just that it is highly unlikely to go down Brobeck style.

109, the obvious parallel is the huge rainmaker (and his cadre) splintering off on the eve of a merger vote and quite possibly thereby tanking that merger and leaving the rest of the firm scrambling.

- Not 107

Anyone know anything about the SH VC going on this morning?

Anyone know anything about the SH VC going on this morning?

The action is in DC.

110, who is the rainmaker partner?

Here's a better question: can anyone confirm who the merger partner is for the splinter group?

114 = Matt Larrabee
115 = Rob Hubbell

Bingo, 116

110, who is the rainmaking partner?

116, you really think associates posting here know about this and Larrabee and Hubbell (who are on the Policy Committee with a couple of these guys) don't?

114: I bet it's Barry Levin. The Insurance Recovery group is supposedly being left out of the merger w/ MB.

119 - If they didn't, they do now. Nice disclosure dipshit.

If it's Levin, it wouldn't matter much to the merger. If the group is already being left out, why would Mayer care if they left? Hardly a "splintering off on the eve of a merger vote and quite possibly thereby tanking that merger "

Of course it's not Levin. Bigger fish.

121, assuming 119's not on the Policy Committee, it's not a "disclosure" in the sense you insinuate. Plus of course Larrabee knows -- are you an idiot?

IP Lit is the only group that matters to the merger

107 + 110 + 125 = the full picture

122 -- please stop using logic. It has no place on this website.

124, yes, I'm an idiot. That's why I'm reading this crap.

Hmmm. Wonder which one. Mike Plimack? Rob Fram? Bob Haslam? Jessica Pers?

Jessica Pers is not in the IP Lit group.

129: What makes you think it's just one of them?

Think? I don't think. I just read ATL comments all day.

126 is right on the money. 107, 110 and 125 all have substance.

Wheeeeeee!

I started a new thread so we don't have to keep backtracking to this one. Use it:
http://abovethelaw.com/community/2008/09/heller-open-thread.php

135, I like it here. Why can't you remain loyal to all your friends here at this thread? Why do you have to go start another thread with some select group and then leave the rest of us here to get laid off? I hate you, 135.

Isn't the concern raised by 107, 110, 125 and 136 present in every potential merger situation? IF it happens, that would suck; but why are you so convinced that it will?

C'mon guys spill it. Which group is Covington and Burling taking?

C'mon guys spill it. Which group is Covington and Burling taking?

138-139, if you can't figure it out from the comments here, then you probably wouldn't get it even if we spelled it out for you.

Who cares about Covington and Burling? I wanna know when I'm gonna get RIF'd and have to start collecting unemployment. Regardless of how the Mayer vote turns out on Monday, Heller's gonna have to make some deep cuts. I've never heard of a merger or acquisition that didn't result in layoffs. If the merger is approved, Heller will definitely have to lay people off. However, if the merger doesn't go through, Heller will most likely have to make cuts in order to survive on its own.

I bet CB takes the ins. recovery group too.
And 140 is right- read the comments.

Why would CB bother with what's left of the insurance recovery group? It's not really the economy for pity hiring.

Why would CB bother with what's left of the insurance recovery group? It's not really the economy for pity hiring.

143/144, they just took two "of counsels" (i.e., expensive but non-revenue generating attorneys) from the ins. recovery group. I'm sure they'd be happy to take the few partners with actual clients who are left. Not to mention that they've yet to take associates to staff up Goodwin and Hobell.

Explicit note to 138/139: Ins. recover is not the group that's already set to go. For that, please see 125, 126, 129, 130, 131, and 133. Get it now?

They may take the partners, but that doesn't mean they'll take the associates. You're assuming that their current associates don't have excess capacity, which isn't a good assumption in this market. Any HE insurance recovery associate who hasn't started sending out his resume already is a fool.

Don't they only have like 3 associates?

Goodwin and Hobel went over in July. If you haven't gotten a call from CB already to join them, that call isn't coming.

Any idea how many partners/associates CB is taking? Are they opening new offices?

This is going to be a busy week. Look for all variety of announcements to start as early as today.

Either leak information or do not - that would be my personal preference

150 = Doesn't know anything other than what's been posted on ATL.

152 = knows so much more than 150, but still spends his time reading this blog. Your smugness does not hide the fact that you are a petty, lonely person.

Merger fell though. Looks like we're all out of a job soon.

Specifics?

That sucks, guys. I'm really sorry.

155: http://amlawdaily.typepad.com/amlawdaily/2008/09/meger-talks-end.html

I think 151 and 152 owe 150 an apology.

I think Levin, Larrabee, Hubbell and Phyllis Gardner owe ME an apology.

152 here. No more inside information than anyone else reading ATL (and anyone reading ATL could guess there would be announcements this week). It just seemed obvious to me that 151 didn't know anything, he was just trying to stir shit and freak people out.

Wow. 39's looking like Nostradamus right now.

energy is next

did ip lit leave already?

did ip lit leave already?

How deep are the cuts expected to be?

163-164 - No. Although if the management had any cojones, they would be frog marched out today.

165= how's "ceasing to exist as a firm" sound? deep enough for you?

does anyone know whether the IP lit group will take associates with them, or is it just shareholders?

like how the amlaw post had to throw in the bit about rejecting the merger offer from goodwin proctor last year. god this is terrible

168, they're taking associates. And a ton of active matters.

Worst posts ever:

61 - "Take a deep breath and let people do their jobs..." Yeah, nice friggin' job.

75 - "Basically, to quote Twain in the employ of Heller: 'the rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated'." Really? Think so?

109 - "I am not saying the firm won't dissolve; just that it is highly unlikely to go down Brobeck style. " Really? Think so?

To the splinter group that just doomed the merger...you suck.

Fram and Haslam, may your burn in hell. The blood of Heller is on your hands.

Fram and Haslam, may you burn in hell. The blood of Heller is on your hands.

Jeez people!...get a grip.

Heller was already dead long before the IP lit group left. Mayer was at least the third failed merger, and the worst prospect of them all. (Winston & Strawn, Baker & McKenzie to name the other two.) Even if IP had stayed, and the merger had gone through - highly unlikely due to the number of conflicts presented by the IP group (Katz, anyone? Let's sue everybody who uses telephones!!!) - a large bulk of the firm would have had to get laid off anyway.

Mayer isn't doing well, and Heller has a bunch of dead weight partners who aren't bringing in business resulting in tons of associates who have nothing to bill. As the stronger of the two, Mayer would have forced Heller to cut all of its fat before a merger. A marriage between two dying entities would not have produced a healthy body.

Anyhow, for those of you blaming the IP group, wake up and face the facts that the death of Heller was inevitable. Place some of the responsibility on the firm leadership that got us into this mess and on all of the partners in other practice groups that weren't generating any business.

And for god's sake, get your resumes in order. Good luck to everyone.

-Not going to Covington

174, get your head out of your ass. Heller is dead. NO ONE inside the Heller thinks it will last. Stop drinking the kool-aid and face reality.

172/173, Fram and Haslam have carried this firm for at least the last 2 years. The fact that 12-15 partners from a group can supposedly tank a merger is just evidence of the utter lack of strength elsewhere in the firm. Be happy they stuck around and subsidized your leave-at-4pm lifestyle as long as they did. You got something for nothing.

Please move the comments to the other comments section on the front page.

Heller was dead three years ago, it just didn't know it yet. It became clear then that management had turned the firm over to the staff to run. From that point, management spent all its time defending the staff, even when the staff was trashing the partners who were trying to build the firm. The staff, meanwhile, was busy building up its own empire (what else can staff in a law firm do?). But revenues can only come from one place -- the partners. Yet Heller's management did everything it could to drive out the productive partners. It let the staff completely dominate all discussions and any partner that opposed the staff got trashed. It's a wonder so many partners stuck with the firm till the end. The firm's demise has been in the cards for a long time.

179, what the hell are you talking about? By "staff" you mean paralegals, secretaries, and mail delivery people? I don't recall them running the firm, ever.

180 - the so-called directors and above. Were you there?

179 - you're an idiot.

cause of Heller's real downfall?

use of TNR 13pt as default font

182 -- We you really there? Or are you just a trouble maker.

Thanks for the laugh 183.

179: What fairy fruit are you eating? Unfortunately, the shareholders did NOT let the administration do their jobs or listen to their advice. If they had, the firm would be in better shape than it is. The shareholders drove this ship off the edge of the world. To blame a law firm's failure on the non-legal staff is the height of absurdity.

You obviously have an axe to grind. I suspect you're an associate who didn't get his/her way about some whiney little thing and this is your way of sticking it in the back of the people who told you no.

Juvenile.

179 and 186 and both right, in a way. The "staff" 179 refers to is no doubt the bloated class of middle-management do-nothings that grew like a fungus. Got a problem? Don't address it -- just create a manager or director position. (Oh, and fund that by laying off or outsourcing staff who actually, you know, do a good job.) The SH's bitched non-stop about it -- but did they do anything? They rolled over and let the top management have their way with them. For those of you in SF or LA or NY reading this...yes, I'm talking about YOU.

Thanks for the clarification. Going forward, please note that no one in the legal industry (including at Heller) uses "staff" to mean anything or anyone other than paralegals and secretaries. "Management" is the appropriate term to apply to people like the "Director of Excellence" or whatever the hell they title these joke positions.

Chief of Practice Excellence. No further commentary required.

I also think they have one called Grand High Poobah of Upper Butt Crack

"Grand High Poobah of Upper Butt Crack" = LMAO, brilliant!

188 is correct on the classification of BigLaw departments:

Staff is always Professional Support Staff aka Non-Attorney Staff which is confusing

Attorneys is, well, what it is

Often Special Counsel, Associates, and Paralegals are lumped together with Attorney Staff

Partners or Shareholders (as Heller calls them) - The Man

IT - aka Mom's roommate, basement dwellers

187 is correct. The shareholders knew about the problem with the admin staff (and were victimized by it daily) but never reacted, except to complain among themselves. A few shareholders tried alone to tackle the problem and were driven out of the firm by the admin staff and top management. It was all going on in plain sight, but the vast majority of shareholders were dumbfounded and inert. So the firm died, slowly but surely.