Dissolution, Heller Ehrman, Layoffs

Anatomy of a Dissolution: Heller Ehrman's Long Goodbye

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It’s been a few days since we checked in on the slow breakup of Heller Ehrman. But today brings news of a coveted partner picking his soft landing. The Daily Journal reports:

Top antitrust litigator Robert G. Badal will be departing Heller Ehrman for Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr’s Los Angeles office, which he plans to join as a partner on Friday.

Badal is Heller’s first Los Angeles partner to publicly confirm that he is leaving the troubled firm since it began its dissolution last week.

Badal, also an intellectual property litigator, was vague about whether he is bringing other Heller attorneys with him. … “There may be a few people from Heller that might join Wilmer over time,” Badal said.

Badal called Heller’s dissolution “regrettable” and said that he chose Wilmer Hale because of its strong Asia practice.

After the jump we see if Heller associates and staff can get some soup.


Associates and staff continue to back up documents, save address books, and look for jobs.

The firm sent around a F.A.Q memo that mainly deals with the crucial issue of health care, as well as the conversion of other benefits. There was little in the F.A.Q that addressed the “how do I beg departing partners to take me with them” question.

The firm did announce that they would pay out bonuses to associates who reached 2,000 hours, with one caveat:

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However, all payments, including payroll, are subject to approval by the bank.

I wouldn’t want to be caught in the cross fire If “the bank” turns into “the soup nazi.”

Hopefully the bank will approve the associate bonus. When people are at the point where they are spitting fire at middle management, you really don’t want to mess with their wallets.

Heller Antitrust Litigator Goes to WilmerHale [Daily Journal] (subscription)

Heller Ehrman FAQ for Professional Staff, Associates and Special Counsel [Heller Highwater]

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Earlier: Prior ATL coverage of Heller Ehrrman

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