Nationwide Start Date Watch: WolfBlock
We bring you more word of postponed start dates for incoming associates. The latest comes from the Philly firm of WolfBlock, as first reported in the Philadelphia Business Journal:
In response to the economic slowdown, Wolf Block has delayed the start date of its entry-level lawyers for two months. The firm said all but one of eight recent law school graduates were told not to report for work until November 10 rather than the normal start date shortly after Labor Day.
Hiring partner Andrew Chirls said the first-year associates, who get paid $135,000 a year, will receive a $5,000 stipend to tide them over.
That works out to $2,500 a month, or $30,000 on an annual basis. But hey, at least they don’t have to work for it.
If you’re interested, there’s more — including info about summer-associate offer rates — after the jump.
“It’s about supply and demand,” Chirls said. “We’re in a slow economy and we want to make sure we have work for them when they get here.” Chirls said one associate originally slated to start in Philadelphia will move to New York where he will start in September in the busy bankruptcy practice there.No other large Philadelphia firm has said it was backing up start dates for entry-level associates though there have been rumors that some are considering it.
A partner at another Philadelphia firm tells us:
The fact that they are the only firm in town deferring start date for new associates speaks volumes. At least they are not trying to put spin on this, like the bogus “client conflicts” story they put out about the breakdown of the planned merger with Akerman Senterfitt.
The PBJ also reports that Wolf Block “made full-time job offers for next fall to six of its nine summer interns” — which means that it no-offered one-third of its summer class. That’s a pretty high no-offer proportion (although, in the firm’s defense, when your class is that small, percentages will vary more from year to year).
Start date delayed: Wolf Block [Philadelphia Business Journal]
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Comments
jigga who?
Hey if it's a stipend that's not bad at all. Most firms just gave a loan when they pushed back their start dates. $5000 to extend your vacation for an extra 2 months is sweet. I'd take 8 weeks off now for $5000.
Who gives a s* about WolfBlock? I never heard of them.
What does TTT mean?
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU NEED SERIOUS ATTORNEYS?
CALL THE WOLFPACK.
3 - don't be a dick. In the end, you are still *most likely* a nerdy paper pusher struggling to lose his v-card.
At the same time, for Wolf Block, ouch.
They should rename the firm CockBlock.
Slow. News. Day.
Wolf Block = TTT (goes without saying, really).
5 - WolfBlock managing partner
five grand for two months of doing nothing is a no brainer.
It's 5 grand before tax, which equates to something like 3.75K after tax depending on your tax bracket, of course...
As a former WolfBlock associate and current managing partner of CoyoteRepellant LLP, I must credit the firm for making me the success I am today. Beep beep.
Sincerely,
R. Runner
11 - Genius.
10, if a new graduate isn't t starting work until Nov 10, and hasn't done much other work in 2008, they will be in low tax bracket.
Wouldn't it be ridiculous if they qualified for earned income tax credit?
Very nicely done 11.
"It's 5 grand before tax, which equates to something like 3.75K after tax depending on your tax bracket, of course..."
Not true. Chances are you will not make much more than $5k for the whole year. Low or no tax bracket.
11 - Thank you for making my day.
Agree with 12, 14, 16.
11 to new EIC.
Cougar LLP. Who's in?
Kudos # 11; good job
Thank you very much, 12/14/16/17/19. Unfortunately 11 must keep his Biglaw job to support his BMW habit. Additionally, 11 fears that his UVA credentials would not qualify him for EIC vis a vis ATL's illustrious leadership from Yale and Hahvahd, whose superior intelligence and wit were established through their mastery of one additional logic game on a test several years ago. 11 will, however, continue to provide amusing commentary (along with an occasional anti-Obama rant) on a pro bono basis.
It's meep meep, but still well done, 11.
11 for President. Change we can laugh at.
20= douche nozzle.
18= your mama, that's who.
Well said 20....well said.
You guys crack me up with all this "slow news day" crap. This is a blog about big law. How exciting do you expect it to be? Jeez, people. Lighten up. And, get to work.
I heard DLA Piper (in Baltimore, at least) has pushed their start date back to January 2009. They will pay their incoming associates $1000/month in the interim.
Is this true?
If so, that really sucks...
11 to new EIC plus bonus!!!!!!!!
More stories about law firms, less about mens undershirts please
Not just a single logic game 20. Also a lower GPA, a weaker undergrad school, a communications or criminal justice major, and a shitty legal education. It's no surprise cartoons are your strength.
The NYC office of told incoming 1st years to report back in Sept. 2009. They will be given a full year's credit. No word on stipends.
29 - of who?
at least one of the wolfblock summers who isn't coming back rejected his offer (wasn't no offered) and wound up with no other offers.
Dear 28 -
I was HYP summa cum laude but, yeah, I'm sure you've got that beat. Please continue to trust in your unassailable superiority - it will keep your life very satisfying and really make people like you.
Life lesson: work hard but have fun and be nice. It's sad that for all your apparently strengths, you still have such a need to lash out at even lighthearted humor.
Sincerely,
11/20
11/20 for EIC, President, and Head Field Commissioner.
28 clearly goes to Georgetown.
11/20 - Please make your anti-Obama rants funny as well. Also, you should create an avitar so everyone knows who you are. May I suggest the following for all the haters.
http://cache.gizmodo.com/assets/2006/06/Roadrunner.gif
I'm supposed to start at Wolf Block's Bratislava office next week, and I didn't hear anything about a delayed start date. Perhaps that's the busiest office right now?
What is HYP? Is that prestigious?
Waitaminute - does that mean that ONE of the summers will start in September? That wont be awkward....
HYP= Harvard, Yale, Princeton
Im a flyover/Midwesterner and even I know that.
11/20...keep up the excellent work.
Thanks for the idea, 34.
Beep beep!
Who?
take a look at endofesq.com, its a hard hitting site on the state of the profession
take a look at endofesq.com, its a hard hitting site on the state of the profession
take a look at endofesq.com, its a hard hitting site on the state of the profession
take a look at endofesq.com, its a hard hitting site on the state of the profession
take a look at endofesq.com, its a hard hitting site on the state of the profession
I just took a look at endofesq.com and it sucked
11/20:
Query: How can you be HYP and have UVA-JD at the same time? Do you have four degrees? If so what are they and why so many?
- Fan of 11/20
20 should have stopped at 11. Each succeeding post reveals the UVA frat-ass more and more.
I would take the money and find another job.