last!

Whenever I read their name I sing it to the tune of Benny and the Jets.

Dewey! ... Dewey! ... Dewey and LeBoooooef

So sad. I interviewed with a Charlotte guy, and his unhappiness with the firm was definitely evident. I wish them all the best of luck. Real nice guy.

So, can we get a layoff chart published listing the number of known/admitted big firm layoffs this year, by firm, to date?

There is actually a Dechert issue here. Most of those at Dewey had left Dechert. Out of the frying pan......

Don't you mean "a ONCE burgeoning center of the U.S. banking industry?" It can hardly be called burgeoning any longer, with Wachovia in the shitter and BofA moving more and more of its non-consumer banking to New York.

Wow. No layoffs, just shut the whole thing down? Wow.

Am I the only one who thinks D&L's name sounds awfully close to Do Me in the Butt?

Combine #3 and #9 for hilarious effect. Do do do do me....

Charlotte office? Dewey?

Stick a fork in it, it's done. North Carolina banks = level 3 asset whores.

Purchase off-balance sheet derivatives much? Why don't you try and FAS 125/140 that stuff, just like Andy Fastow?

Good riddance.

9. Just. Stop.

ATL has farked the snark on this one.

9. I. Agree.

Combine #3 and #9 for hilarious effect. Do do do do me....

Elie - you suck. Change "they" in the second line to "it" and change "their" to "its."

I remember when Charlotte associates were all over this site, chortling about their low cost of living and deriding NY associates for paying $2000 per month for a studio when they could be living in CHARLOTTE.

My--how things change.

8 attorneys??? WHO CARES. you make it sound like dozens of attorneys were fired.

Fitzgerald & Fitzgerald just fired 3 personal injury lawyers!!! post about that.

we fight for you.

MysTTTal

Layoff?

21 JUMP STREET!
21 JUMP STREET!
21 JUMP STREET!
21 JUMP STREET!
21 JUMP STREET!
21 JUMP STREET!
21 JUMP STREET!
21 JUMP STREET!
21 JUMP STREET!

CONFIRMED:

Pink slips in the mail for Mayer Brown in Charlotte.

I went to UVA because I thought their placement in CHARLOTTE CORPORATE BIGLAW was number 1.

I regret this now.

Dechert? Any Dechert news?

:(

*nervously removes another firm from my mail merge*

-nervous T-10 1L

NO FAT CHICKS!

Cadwalader Charlotte next ????

11 - you are one badass, motherfucking bean counter.

Can someone post something substantive about these Skadden DC rumors? Elie? Care to confirm or deny?

Skadden DC..........

How's Dewey doing in general? Dewey NY?

She's Charlotte the harlot the cowpuncher's whore

Elie, I heard that Dechert was laying people off. Have you heard any word from the management over there at Dechert?

What's the Skadden DC shit about. I have a buddy with an offer there..should he go elsewhere?

skadden dc is getting rid of all antitrust lawyers tomorrow

How's Dewey doing in general? Dewey NY?

34 - absolutely. they stopped putting out bagels a month ago in the main dining area. as anyone with any experience at BIGLAW would tell you...stopping bagel service is a sure sign that the office is in major trouble. really, get out while you still can.

2L, Michigan law--Skadden DC has rescinded at least 2 unaccepted offers here already

See, Elie, us commentators get things right, and quicker than you:

http://abovethelaw.com/2008/10/atl_rumor_agency_which_firms_a.php#comment-774009

Post by me, weeks ago.

Any update from Dechert?

WILDMAN HARROLD to open Charlotte office with 200 attorneys on Tuesday!!!

I'm usually an Elie-hater, but I have to admit that this was good work. These type of posts are what we want. Short, concise, informative, no lame humor.

Why are they relocating the partners, but laying off the associates? That's awful.

MVA apparently axed their summer program completely. Heard A&B Charlotte is being very stingy.

Any news on Simon, Bennett, Robbins, Oppenheim & Taft.

elie, get the facts straight - it's kinda your job. "full contraction mode" might be appropriate if the same memo hadn't announced the opening of offices in abu dhabi and doha. dewey's going for the latham trifecta.

I understand there will be mass layoffs tomorrow in the Sheboygan office of Scatman Crothers. Elie, please look into this.

Thank god I work at Allen, Allen, Allen, & Allen - personal injury is where its at, people always be gettin' hurt and stuff

What's also interesting is that, while Charlotte is being shuttered, they are opening offices in Qatar and UAE. Not exactly a vote of confidence in the US economy (or that oil prices will stay low).

Grumblings from McGuireWoods.

Agreed 17, I remember a year ago when NYC associates were called idiots for living in "closets" for $3000/month whereas associates working on "cutting edge" transactions living in Charlotte had all paid off their loans, owned 5,000 square foot houses and had 2 BMWs and more money than they knew what to do with. Just saying.

MVA laid off 34 staff total. Associates are coming up next.

The D&L partners in Charlotte probably had 5 year guarantees, so instead of paying them off in one shot, the firm would rather relocate them. As for the
associates...well, we all know how compassionate and considerate firms are when it comes to the little people...

Ouch, 2 pending admission. Its nasty out there folks.

43: A friend of mine has an outstanding summer offer from MVA, so I'm assuming that fact is wrong. I know for a fact that they interviewed for both their Charlotte and RTP offices.

49 -- ??

I would be interested in seeing a post on the relative effects of the credit crunch across cities. On the one hand NYC is obviously suffering, but on the other, it looks like the financial services industry is consolidating and centering even more in NYC than before.

46 - jesus, where did you hear that? I just accepted an offer from their Muleshoe, Texas office.

Dewey, Cheatem and Howe is hiring.

#56-r u smart or something? were you on law revue?

58 - that's old and not funny (like your mom)

Damn -- bad things coming out of Atlanta too. Emory/DUke/ UVA kids be wary.

58 - try Dewey, Cheatham, and Howe. A bit more realistic.

"a burgeoning center of the U.S. banking industry"

I don't think this means what you think it means.

44...so hilarious

Skadden DC? Seriously? Why are they being so secretive?

I only started reading ATL recently - what's the deal with Wildman Harrold?

Lawyers and bankers are fleeing Charlotte in droves. Sucks to be you UVA. Guess those popped collars weren't popped enough.

Suck it.

One of my friends who goes to Charlotte Law brags about how many of them got offers from top Charlotte firms. I wonder how many of those students will keep their offers.

One of my friends who goes to Charlotte Law brags about how many of them got offers from top Charlotte firms. I wonder how many of those students will keep their offers.

68, I doubt anyone at Charlotte Law got a job. Not event he kid whose face got smashed by a partner at Johnston, Allison & Hord.

68, I doubt anyone at Charlotte Law got a job. Not even the kid whose face got smashed by a partner at Johnston, Allison & Hord.

I heard they are laying off folks at Jones Day.

61 - what have you heard about ATL? Specific firms? Layoffs?

I thought smaller summer classes was a given.

rumors of massive layoffs at schulte roth. my dad just had dinner with Roth...

nervous T-10 1L - cool out. You stopped resembling anything remotely funny weeks ago.

70, a partner hit a law student? Really? I very much doubt that.

huh-weird. I typed in that my dad had dinner with Zabel, not Roth. How did that happen ATL editors?

King and Spalding appears to be shifting a lot of their focus north to the NYC. That sucks about Skadden, too, although it still seems suspect.

Jones Day is a fate I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

Firms not for Charlotte after 2008:

Dewey
Winston
King
Sonneschwine

Firms that will be gutter by end of 2008
Mayer Brown
Parker Poe
A&B (outside of the IP group)
Womble
K&L Gates

skadden dc and gdc. :(

Don't know who is thinking Duke really feeds into Charlotte... Generally only about 20ish of the class of 200 stay in NC, most go to NYC or DC. That being said, interviewing for NC firms has been a disaster; fortunately, was able to interview with plenty of DC firms and many of them are apparently still hiring.

80 - I mostly agree, but I think Womble will be fine. They have NC roots and a lot of NC, non-bank related work. (And no, I don't work there, and yes, that bulldog is annoying).

23 - You're an idiot.

Think you forgot Moore & Van Allen. They'll be racing the pack for fastest down the shit tubes.

83, agreed Womble will be fine, but tis Charlotte office will be hit hard. Lots of Wachovia work, and real estate, not a good mix. Rest of firm doing fine, from what I know.

CharloTTTe was always too good to be true. You can't be a baller associate and live like a partner. Gotta pay your dues, kids.

85, I'll be honest with you, I have no idea what is going on at MVA. I thought they worked both sides of street, BofA and Wachovia. Plus they had so many practice groups that were busy.

However here in Charlotte everyone is talking about them and Mayer as being the next firm to announce BIG layoffs. So maybe they over hired, or things not as good as the seemed.

80

Hang on. Can someone confirm if a partner really hit a kid at Charlotte Law. Anyone? Bueller? Anyone?

44 and 64 are my new best friends. Them, and Art Vandelay.

85 here

its not that MVA over hired, they had the right amount of people and they were getting plenty of work, when everything was going well. From what I understand, they did a lot of BOA and W work, and without those 2 really doing much in the Charlotte market, I doubt they can keep all those attorneys.

89, I think it had something to do with bar league softball. Anyone know?

Any news on Heller?
concerned associate

The rummor that a partner in Charlotte hit a student at Charlotte law should be easy to prove or not. Just call the college and/or the firm.

I heard 2 versions. 1 is that the partner hit him during a basketball game, just turned around and whacked him in the face. The other I heard is that he hit him in the Y for looking at him strange.

The rumor that a partner in Charlotte hit a student at Charlotte law should be easy to prove or not. Just call the college and/or the firm.

I heard 2 versions. 1 is that the partner hit him during a basketball game, just turned around and whacked him in the face. The other I heard is that he hit him in the Y for looking at him strange.

89, it was in a bar league basketball game.

72 - not sure where you get your news
Jones Day is in good shape

Did the student at least get an offer from them? Maybe that is the job 68 is talking about!

I've heard persistent rumblings across town (none from anyone at the firms) of layoffs at MVA and MB on the horizon. Aren't they both working the red and blue (BAC/WB - not Obama/McCain) sides of the street? I assume the situation at Winston and Sonnenshein is much worse.

Anybody think there's a chance that firms will drop salaries?

Bar League Basketball! Is the partner still at Johnston, Allison & Hord? Any chance Above the Law will cover this? Seems like a worthy lawyer of the day.

80 - Generally agree. But Parker Poe (particularly) and Womble have strong NC ties and overall are not as exposed to the banking and financial stuff.

88, I'm also confused (and I'm not 85/86). MVA does work both sides of the street, and I thought that they did a lot more work for BoA than for Wachovia.

IP had been a growth area for them (they hired a handful of IP people from A&B last summer); while they still don't have the IP practice that A&B has, they have some solid clients who aren't as affected by the downturn.

They have a lot going for them, but maybe that's not enough.

Again, I am not saying Parker is going to fail. Indeed none of the Firms mentioned will fail, but the Charlotte offices of each will take a hit. Parker Poe is so far up Wachovia's ass that it has to be hit really hard. It is a regional firm that hitched wagon to Wachovia. Does next to no BOA work. A&B securities and Real Estate will be purged also (former Parker Poe people, I should add).

But Parker Poe will remain a good, strong firm. Just don't be surprised they had to let people go. Same for Womble.

Skadden DC is fine.

58 u mean Howe, Dewey, & Cheatem is hiring.

80- Generally agree. But K&L Gates was a local firm until a couple of months ago and frankly doesn't do much as much banking work as other firms (much of their financial services group left to start Winston in Charlotte). As for MVA, they do far more work for BOA than WB. How that affects their retention of attorneys, I don't know.

King and Spaulding? Skadden? WTF!!!

Can someone please comment on recent Dechert Charlotte layoffs--did it happen or not???

What are the chances the Dechert-Charlotte office closes down they only have 12-15 attorneys?

108 - this is third-hand info, but you used three question marks, so I figure you're pretty desperate. I'm told Dechert is done in Charlotte. Only a matter of time, as in less than 6 months. Again, third-hand info, but you're at a legal tabloid, not the freakin Wall Street Journal.

Elie... why would you not show the entire memo? Did your fat ass use part of the memo to wipe the Big Mac crumbs off of your face. FYI Dewey is opening two new offices in the Middle East. That was clearly mentioned in the memo. Elie is a poor excuse for a journalist and a massive heart attack waiting to happen.

I'm sorry, but do you think your selective editing does ATL readers any service? In the same announcement, D&L also discussed the opening of overseas offices. Why exactly was it too cumbersome for you to drop in those two lines?

ATL readers were entitled to all of the relevant details, not only the portion that you felt was most sensational. You should have the decency to tell BOTH parts of the story.

110, 111: We're all sick of law firm PR bullsh*t, that's why. Unless the Charlotte people are being reassigned to Dubai who gives a crap about the new offices they are opening. In fact, opening new offices in an economic cataclysm suggests that D&L could have done something to save those associate jobs but just doesn't give a rat's a$$. I for one don't care for hearing law firm cheerleading. The Dechert comments are directed to precisely the uncritical passing on of law firm PR.

So cram it.

King & Spalding NYC to......be sold to Binder & Binder at firesale prices. That office is a sinking ship.

Rumor in Atlanta is that A&B, Sutherland, and Kilpatrick are conducting stealth layoffs. I also hear that PoGo is looking again for a merger partner, but nobody will take it at a firesale price.

Charlotte to 190!

There's a point in their career when every lawyer asks the perennial question: "Am I a TTT or a PPP?"

Charlotte to 100k!

layed off 112?

118 - of course! And you will be too soon because it's spelled "laid off" your grammar challenged clown. Proof-read your next busy work memo.

And before you get your knickers in a twist over my grammatical failings, my mistakes are fine at this point because i'm not on the clock anymore...

I'm layed off, 119, can you milk me?

Elie finally responded: http://abovethelaw.com/2008/10/dechert_layoff_exaggeration_but_caution.php#comment-793597

Can we get a different post about the Partner/Student punching?

Basketball games between a partner and a student - was this a summer associate? How was this not reported before now? Any eye witnesses?

109--what exactly is third-hand info?

Totally forgot about Pogo. Add them to fucked list.

As for K&L, yes they have national roots, but they lost a lot of good partners, and their real estate group are a joke. They do (did) a lot of condo work. The people left behind are cast offs from other firms, or weren't very profitable at the best of times. Again, like Womble and Parker Poe (though they are much better placed than either), the firm will be ok. But Real Estate is in trouble, and some in litigation are nervous.

80

Didn't K&S open a Charlotte office in 2007? Maybe not such a good move.

Any more details on K&S NYC? or Atlanta layoffs?

K&S does mainly BoA work, they are Kenedy people. However they are expensive and doing nothing.

Kilpatrick should also be looked at. While in hindsight it was great losing capmarkets to Sonnenschine, they are still not very profitable, at a time when it is no shame to close an unprofittable office.

Baker and Daniels, one of the top-3 Indianapolis firms, just gave 12 new partners until March to find new jobs and didn't promote any associates to partner again this year. The mp's blame it on the bad Indy economy and positioning the firm for a merger.

Baker and Daniels, one of the top-3 Indianapolis firms, just gave 12 attorneys who made partner in the last couple of years until March to find new jobs and didn't promote any associates to partner again this year. The mp's blame it on the bad Indy economy and positioning the firm for a merger.

Any thoughts/news on McGuireWoods in Charlotte?

130,

While there have been some rumblings, I think it will make it through better than most in Charlotte. The merger is creating some genuine overlap that would normally cause people to be let go - but in this environment is being called stealth layoffs. Some rumors are going around that they rescinded an offer to an incoming 1l, but not sure if I believe that - surely that would have made it onto this blog.

It is a big beast and will be well placed once BoA comes back.

80

130,

While there have been some rumblings, I think it will make it through better than most in Charlotte. The merger is creating some genuine overlap that would normally cause people to be let go - but in this environment is being called stealth layoffs. Some rumors are going around that they rescinded an offer to an incoming 1l, but not sure if I believe that - surely that would have made it onto this blog.

It is a big beast and will be well placed once BoA comes back.

80

I can confirm. Jones Day is in troubled waters

128/129: does Baker & Daniels have a tiered partnership? Easier to push out non-equity people, but new partners tend to be some of the most profitable.

How could JD be in troubled waters? They don't pay bonuses in DC so they must have tons of extra cash on hand...

Pogo to be taken over by Bryan Cave.

K&S Charlotte is fine; mainly litigators in that office and they are doing fine. The firm tried to lure securitization lawyers but mostly failed, which, in hindsight, was damn lucky.

123 - It wasn't a summer associate thing. Charlotte Law has a team in the Meck. Bar Basketball League. They were playing the JAH team. JAH partner punched Charlotte Law student, apparently because Charlotte Law student was being obnoxious.

JAH partner did in fact hit a Charlotte Law student in a bar league basketball game. It was the talk of the town for a few weeks. I remember checking ATL to see if they would cover it.

Stay Classy.

I'd like to point out that even CaTTTwalader gave a better severance package than Do Me in the Butt (thanks #9) when it had its "bloodbath" layoffs not too long ago.

Agreed 17, I remember a year ago when NYC associates were called idiots for living in "closets" for $3000/month whereas associates working on "cutting edge" transactions living in Charlotte had all paid off their loans, owned 5,000 square foot houses and had 2 BMWs and more money than they knew what to do with. Just saying.
__________________________________________

I remember too. It's too bad that people are losing their jobs, but I do hope they saved some of those fountains of discretionary income--because they aren't going to be able to sell that 5,000 sq ft McMansion in this market, either.

"Full contraction mode"? Come on, that's not simply misleading, it's just wrong. Dewey also announced the opening of two Middle East offices yesterday.

"Full contraction mode"? Come on, that's not simply misleading, it's just wrong. Dewey also announced the opening of two Middle East offices yesterday.

"Full contraction mode"? Come on, that's not simply misleading, it's just wrong. Dewey also announced the opening of two Middle East offices yesterday.

"Full contraction mode"? Come on, that's not simply misleading, it's just wrong. Dewey also announced the opening of two Middle East offices yesterday.

"Full contraction mode"? Come on, that's not simply misleading, it's just wrong. Dewey also announced the opening of two Middle East offices yesterday.

"Full contraction mode"? Come on, that's not simply misleading, it's just wrong. Dewey also announced the opening of two Middle East offices yesterday.

"Full contraction mode"? Come on, that's not simply misleading, it's just wrong. Dewey also announced the opening of two Middle East offices yesterday.

142-149, why don't you try fully contracting the number of repeat emails you've annoyed everyone with. You're allowed one or two duplicates from common server-related issues, but this is unacceptable.

You've also missed the point made by previous posters on the Middle East office opening distraction: no one cares about token office space in Dubai, staffed by five foreigners, when dozens of young, freshly-minted American associates are getting canned stateside by the day. Tool.

Whoops, honest mistake, please delete the 8 duplicates...

Don't get me wrong, it's a shame about the layoffs. But it's not about "full contraction," it's about consolidation and global expansion.

142-148, 150 - it's at least as much about opening an office in 2007, hiring new associates from law schools and other firms and shutting the office down less than two year later as it is about "global expansion" (excluding Austin, Charlotte, Hartford and Jacksonville, of course).

Good luck with all of your expansion. You've got a great track record.

Wow, 80. You really have no idea what you're talking about. Really. Congrats on attaining troll status. Did someone at K&L Gates hit you in the face?

114 - can confirm A&B is conducting stealth layoffs.

114 - can confirm A&B is conducting stealth layoffs.

152, I am just saying what I have heard in the city, from people working in these places, or people I worked on other sides of a deal with.

One correction to my post at 80, I meant to say will be gutted, not gutter. Obviously there is a difference. I am not saying these firms are in trouble to point that they may close, I am saying that based on work load, partners there, associate satisfaction and sentiment, and who their big clients are, these firms will have to make deeper cuts than, say, Robinson Bradshaw, or McGuire, or Hunton (who already made their cuts). Also, feeling is Cad have shot their load and are now back to being sustainable. So no point mentioning them here.

If you look at what left behing at K&L real estate, and corporate, you can't tell me all those partners are busy or that Pittsburg cares about Charlotte woes. Already in the "merger" partners and counsel were demoted. You really think associates aren't next?

153/54 - you are quite mistaken sir...no stealth layoffs at america's nicest and greatest firm.

151-wait, so a small office that specializes in an area of law that will be dead for the foreseeable future and hails from an area that is experiencing layoffs from even the established players should be kept on the rolls just because it is a new office? Interesting economic theory. Also, weren't associates in the other offices you mentioned offered positions within the firm? I'd say that the Charlotte situation is a bit different than Hartford/Austin/etc.

Phew, 157. For a second there I thought Dewey was a place that gives up on an office and throws its associates to the wolves. You know, the kind of place that tells you it will be in this market for some time, and then dumps you - sometimes maybe by offering you a position in a city you didn't want to work in.

Thank god it isn't that slimey of a place. Dodged a bullett there. Dewey is lucky to have defenders like you on this board.

Wow, 80. Yet again, you really have no idea what you're talking about. Really.

74 - If your dad had dinner with Roth, wouldn't it not be a rumor? Why would Roth talk about rumors within his firm? Is he not the horses mouth?

Ok 159, refute 80. What do you know that contradicts 80. Are all people who were Counsel with Kennedy still Counsel with K & L?

Cane to reply to 157, but 158 has it covered.

-151.

Some RE partners at K&L are real busy, some (the condo crowd) are not, but the zoning work is keeping them busy. Associates will be fine, but a few partners will be pushed out the door.

Guess that shut 159 up.

Can confirm that some KC people made out better at K&S and Alston. Can confirm that some Winston people were not treated as well as they were at KC. Cannot confirm that anyone at KC was treated less well at K&L, at least title-wise.

The people who made out the same or better in title are still taking extra laps (in this economy = forever and they'll be happy to have a job). Everyone who did worse pointed out that they'd make more at their new home.

Heck, I'll be happy to have a job and a salary with a comma in it a year from now.

Everything I know contradicts 80. No partner/counsel "demotions" as a result of the "merger." Individuals in the groups 80 mentions are no less busy than their counterparts in other firms in CLT and, in some respects, are busier.

165's post is sensible and correct.

164 takes it in the ass on a regular basis from various Carolina Panthers.

-159

166, I do take it in the ass on occassion. I enjoy it. Ever wonder why God put the male g spot up there?

The fact that you and 165 are wrong is slightly hard to prove without linking to cached websites, and info. I am not going to name the associates in question, who once were Counsel, or the Of Counsel person who was once a partner.

I had hoped that you would realize I know about this and hold your hands up. Either you don't know about it or you are lying. I can't refute that without naming names, and its hardly those peoples faults that K&L did that to them, so it would not be right.

Last point, if KC was so great, why did so many leave for more money (I know part of the answer is in the question) and why did KC "have" to merge with someone? Fact remains there are some troubled practice areas and K&L will get rid of them sooner rather than later. In the long term I am sure the office will thrive.

167 is a MVA troll who hates K&L.

168 Is a Helms troll sad that they are now McGuire bitches

80/167 -

Partner --> Of-Counsel = retired and semi-retired partners. The individual I presume you refer to above was re-classified as Of Counsel well in advance of the merger, not in connection with the merger.

Counsel --> Associate = part- or flex-timers who jumped back on partnership track. Not a demotion in any way.

But I wouldn't expect you to know those things, because that sort of information is not available on cached websites. Nonetheless, it's also possible that you were fed information by someone at K&L Gates who, based upon your assertions, apparently has no clue about what's going on at their firm.

By the way, you're putting words in my (our, if you include 165) mouth with your petulant "if KC was so great" riposte--no one said that the KC departures or the merger had anything to do with anything other than economics. The folks that left KC to join AB, W&S and K&S did so for $$ at their respective levels that NO CLT-based firm could match, including your beloved MVA. I know if KC had been able to match their offers, they would have stayed in a heartbeat--all I've spoken to have told me as much. With respect to the merger, well, that's the reality of the legal business in CLT these days and its been heading that way for a long time now--CLT firms are facing the choice of combining for economic diversity and security or becoming an irrelevant commodity service provider. Those firms that have not yet combined or become irrelevant, including yours, will surely go one way or the other in relatively short order.

170 - Bravo. Your information is pretty consistent with what I think the general word on the street is about KC/K&L. Finally, someone seems to have some real information. 80, I hope you are a law student, and if so, you should get back to studying for exams. You are going to need it. Your point that the groups that left KC for greener pastures KO's that firm is ridiculous. It has been noted several times on this site that the folks at W&S and K&S may soon be without a Charlotte office to work in - obviously, they are not bringing in enough cash to support themselves (a fact that I heard from some KC folks relative to the W&S group well in advance of their departure) . In addition, word on the street (and, with A&B attorneys) is that the folks that left for A&B have had their associates stripped from them and reassigned to other groups, and that as soon as the guarantees burn off, they will be gone. Have you thought about the possibility that KC's refusal to match the $$ these folks landed was in part because KC saw what was coming? Regardless of the reason, it sure appears like KC is much better off without these chumps. As for KC's real estate practice, I don't think that many in CLT would argue that they have the best practice and client base. I've heard some partners at competitor firms (mine) admit as such. Your comment about "what's left" of the real estate group and the corporate group further shows you just don't have a clue. They have had no defections in corporate, and the only real estate attorneys they lost were some zoning guys and one first year partner. I'm pretty sure they have around 50 real estate attorneys left - and the one's I know are pretty busy. Somewhat of a surprise in this economy, but I know they do have some big, national clients.

As for MVA, the folks that were let go this week are uniformly indicating that this week was only the first round, and that finance associates will be in the next cut. However, I hear that the balance of the firm is doing relatively well, given the economy. My spies at that place say the tables at that firm have turned and the corporate and litigation folks that have been living by the financial group's dictates in recent years are exacting some revenge.

People need to realize that the CLT firms are simply not as vulnerable to the banking mess as various posts on this site suggest. The big banking deals go to NYC, and pretty much always have. Those are the folks that are hurting. The office closings in CLT have pretty much been small outposts of national firms attempting to establish a presence. That approach never has worked well in Charlotte, and I doubt it ever will.

Glad to know at least some folks know what they're talking about with regards to K&L. To those discussing MVA, I have family there and from all I've seen/heard, the finance practice is just as busy as it has been over the last several years. This could be, however, certain groups, and not their finance practice as a whole.

I am not 80, but for all this talk about how well K&L is doing begs the question why Kennedy Covington had to merge with anyone at all. I'm not trying to be snarky, it just seems that the truth between the back and forth here lies somewhere in the middle.

Re: The Charlotte bashing - anybody bragging about how much money they were making in CLTBiglaw is indeed a moron. But layoff comp goes a lot farther in CLT than NYC, where its even bloodier now.

can someone elaborate on mcguirewoods in charlotte--is it a bad time to accept an offer with that firm for the summer next year? thanks.

174. . .yeah, but u r still in CTL. if pickup trucks, dogs and gunracks keep you happy for the duration mp 2 u

Who cares about Dewey - it's a mediocre firm running on fumes from the 80s and early 90s. The firm is going nowhere fast. I assume there will be big layoffs in the New York office at the end of the year.