Musical Chairs: Gilbert Randolph To Add Jerry Oshinsky
Dickstein Shapiro, ‘Morin & Oshinsky’ To Change Stationery
Gilbert Randolph has added Jerry Oshinsky to their partnership ranks. The firm will change its name to “Gilbert Oshinsky” to highlight this new acquisition. Firm chairman Scott Gilbert announced the new hire via a firm-wide email:
I have a number of exciting announcements.First, I am extraordinarily pleased to tell you that Jerry Oshinsky will be joining the firm, likely as early as next week. A number of us were Jerry’s colleagues at Dickstein Shapiro, Morin & Oshinsky; indeed, it was the prospect of combining our respective practices that ultimately led me to leave Covington & Burling after 18 years and join Dickstein in the first place. Jerry is simply THE preeminent litigator and advisor in insurance law, and we certainly now can say that there rarely has been a coverage decision or settlement of any significance in the United States that did not directly involve Jerry or other of our firm lawyers. Of course, as anyone who knows Jerry can readily attest, he also is a tremendous human being, in every sense of the word. As his friend of 30 years and an ardent admirer, I just could not be more pleased and excited that Jerry has chosen to begin this new, and yet to be the most satisfying and successful, chapter of his storied career with us.
Second, as soon as Jerry is able to join the partnership, the firm will be changing its name to Gilbert Oshinsky LLP. This name best reflects our new, or in some cases reestablished, relationship with Jerry, as well as the merger of our two substantial practices. And yes, on several levels, we henceforth will be known as the GO to firm.
“GO to firm.” Nice touch.
The email went on to say that GO would be opening a Los Angeles office and that Oshinsky would be operating out of that new facility.
But the email does not mention Jerry C. Randolph, co-founder of the firm. Is there a limitation on the number of “Jerrys” allowed as name partners? Does he sleep with the fishes? Were they so excited about the “GO to” stuff that Randolph’s name became a marketing causality?
Dickstein Shapiro responds (sort of) after the jump.
Dickstein Shapiro has not yet announced that one of their partners is leaving. Michelle Rodgers, a Dickstein Shapiro spokesperson, declined to comment on Gilbert’s email.
However one tipster did tell us:
I have heard a rumor from a source I consider reliable that Dickstein is getting ready to lay off 30 associates. My source did not know if it was firm-wide or office-specific
We thought that the two stories could be connected. But Rodgers unequivocally denied that there were any layoffs in the works at Dickstein. She also said that if Oshinsky were to leave, there would be no layoffs. And she then further assured us that no layoffs have been planned or discussed at Dickstein Shapiro at any level for any reason.
You can’t put it any more plainly than that.
So while Oshinsky represents a major hire for Gilbert Randolph Oshinsky, Dickstein doesn’t appear to be worried. Maybe Dickstein can poach the undervalued Jerry Randolph off of waivers.
Update: One tipster has more bad news for Dickstein:
Oshinsky is bringing a good portion of his policyholder insurance work with him. The rumor is that 100% of the clients that he’s asked to come have agreed. He’s not taking any other attorneys from Dickstein with him, but Gilbert Randolph (Gilbert Oshinsky) will be opening an LA office that may hire up to 12 attorneys to handle the incoming work. This includes 2 cases in active litigation, including the Duke University litigation where Duke is suing its insurers to recover settlements from the lying stripper/non-rape case from awhile back.
(69) Comments
Comments
Wokka Wokka!!
afsdfsdaafsdfasd
Wokka Wokka!!
Really? They're dropping his name-- is the Randolph dude still alive? Even if he's dead, that's kinda cold.
First to say "Shaprio?"
Fifth loser.
It's Stationery (with an "e"), not Stationary!!
7=33 and never been kissed.
Newsflash - "Dickstein, Shapiro, Morin & Oshinsky" dropped "Oshinsky" (and "Morin") from its name more than two years ago, so it would surprise me that that firm would want to announce that a "name partner" was leaving when one isn't!
Dickstein seems to be bleeding all its talent lately... it's entire securities practice left, its primary rainmakers in antitrust litigation left, and associates seem to be dropping off like flies... not sure what's going on over there.
DicksTTTein
Laying off 30 associates? Wow, that's a meltdown.
No layoffs, just firings.
Right 13. That's the sell. 30 formerly fine associates just became dirtbags.
So this Oshinsky guy is taking enough work for a dozen associates but not bringing anyone with him? So that is 12 extra heads for the Dickstein, Shapiro, Morin, & Oshinsky folks to carry.
I wonder where the other 18 layoffs are going to come from.
forsooth
DickShap = TTT
this is a coup for gr.
Seems pretty dick not to bring any associates. I guess it's possible he asked and they declined, but it doesn't feel that way.
Not sure what's worse, Oshinsky leaving, or that the ATL crowd only sees the info worthy of 20 comments thusfar.
Was Oshinsky even working at the firm recently? He's not on their website - http://www.dicksteinshapiro.com/people/List.aspx?LastName=O - but Dickstein, Shapiro, and Morin are.
21 - he was there this morning, they have already changed it.
They also sent a memo labeled "Right Sizing" asking for volunteers.
21- its not about if he was present in the office (a lot of senior partners aren't). its about the business and profits he's taking with him. its really a shame, there was a reason dickstein was voted one of the best places to work in DC. guess nice guys finish last.
21 - Yes. His bio was still up as of yesterday afternoon. They must have pulled it soon after.
What effect do you think this has on the New York office?
sounds like yet another "town hall meeting" or "associate pep rally" is in order
"What effect do you think this has on the New York office?"
Considering how much work came from Oshinsky (at least in the insurance world), there will be an effect.
I'm curious as to the claim that Jerry is leaving and not bringing other attorneys with him, sounds odd. I'm not that convinced of any of these rumors.
don't partnership agreements preclude partners from poaching attorneys while the partner is still in the office? i would be willing to bet attorneys leave to go to gr, but after a few weeks.
30 associates get fired and nobody seems to care. Must be a real statement of the times.
30- nobody cares because it's not true.
Where can someone go to verify this information?
Venable is going to pick up many of the associates and form a new distressed equity group to rival C&B.
It is true. Count the IP associates for the next few weeks in NY.
Look at the last paragraph of: http://www.law.com/jsp/law/careercenter/lawArticleCareerCenter.jsp?id=1202425198785
"Michael Nannes, chairman of Dickstein Shapiro, says he plans to hold associate hiring steady, but says now is a good time to look for opportunities to bring on partners. "There are people who are excellent attorneys who are at firms that aren't doing that well who are concerned about the direction their firms are going." He says Dickstein could gain from some of that fallout."
I wonder if Nannes considers Oshinsky "an excellent attorney at a firm that wasn't doing that well"?
I'm betting Nannes is just trolling for partners to bring in business
I'm betting Nannes is just trolling for partners to bring in business
"Michael Nannes, chairman of Dickstein Shapiro, [a]sked if he anticipates declining head counts across District firms in the coming months, Nannes sums it up in a word: 'Absolutely.'"
http://www.law.com/jsp/law/careercenter/lawArticleCareerCenter.jsp?id=1202425198785
His way to say heads will roll?
39- I'm not sure about that. Profits will be down, for sure, as will contract atty positions. I can also see firms that have close NY ties (like Dickstein) going downhill.
DC's a tough market...less than 1500 biglaw jobs to go around...
The only part of the securities group that left was a group of partners from the DC office which left behind significant pieces of work.
I know for a fact that Dickstein has already laid off several associates over the last month. Maybe it's the next Heller?
Dickstein is not a great place to work. There is huge pressure on associates to give the firm positive rankings in reviews. It's like the USSR was, solid from afar, but rotten on the inside.
Do any of you who are making negative postings about the firm have real inside knowledge or are you just commenting idly?
Do any of you who are making negative postings about the firm have real inside knowledge or are you just commenting idly?
I worked there. I can confirm 44. Talk to any vets, and they'll say the same. There are pockets of contentment, and some really good people there, including a few partners, but by and large, one of the most miserable organizations I've ever seen.
Correction to 42. The entire DC securities section left. Every last one of them. DSMO now has no DC securities presence whatsoever.
47 - Did you work in the NYC, DC, or LA office?
49 -- DC
Out of curiosity, how come the Clifford Chance layoffs made huge headlines (AmLaw, Law.com), but the Dickstein layoffs/departures haven't been reported anywhere?
2 reasons, I think. DS has an excellent PR machine, including insiders at Legal Times and AmLaw. Second, it just may not be true.
50 - Do you know about any layoffs or departures at the New York office?
52 - How do you verify if it is true?
53 -- Nope.
53- see 34 above!
I can confirm that associates from all groups have been axed, over 20 staff have been given pink slips our in this case Fed Ex envelopes, the entire Securities group has departed for greener pastures, the Anti-trust top has left, and word on the street is that more layoffs are in the horizon
Get out!
56 - are you referring to DC or NY offices, or both? Also, the number of associates/partners on the website hasn't changed...are you sure about this?
Let's get names of some of these associates so we can laugh at them.
I heard that Dickstein brought on 25 new associates without any work? Any word on this?
I heard Dickstein is falling apart. It will be next.
DS website still touts accomplishments of old securities group -- that left months ago. Isn't that misleading the potential client? The client would not be getting the experience touted -- it all left.
Updates on any of this?
(1) Like any institution/firm/company, there are people coming and going. But there is no truth to the "layoffs."
(2) It is clear from my experience that the new associate hires are all busy.
(3) The numbers actually suggest that DS is doing very well compared to most firms in today's economy.
DS is a great firm. That is the reason I came and will continue to stay.
Unfortunately, the rumors are true.
The layoffs are true. Attorneys, secretaries, floaters and others staff members started being let go in early August. The floater secretaries were all called into a meeting and told that it was their last day. Everyone was on pins and needles. Several staff employees questioned the release of the floater secretaries and were told that there was no need for panic because there were no more foreseeable layoffs.
Boy did that turn out to be a lie...
23, you are correct, that "Right Sizing" memo was delivered to the secretaries on September 5, 2008 to all secretaries asking for 10 volunteers to quit because they were overstaffed. So 10 secretaries were let go on October 3, 2008 (some volunteers so forced out). It has been complete chaos for the secretaries since the so-called "right-sizing" took place. Some secretaries are now supporting 4, 5,and 6 attorneys as a result. Some attorneys were given word that they were being let go, also. I think they are just about gone by now. So YES, there is trouble in the camp! I worked there as a senior paralegal and was glad I got the hell out when I did. Dickstein should be labeled as one of the "HARDEST" places to work!
Any word on the fallout from Jerry Oshinsky leaving and from Dickstein's entire Securities/White Collar group from Washington, DC jumping ship? Did Oshinsky take any attorneys with him? How many attorneys have been laid off?
Oshinsky didn't take any attorneys with him.
I was one of the first "floater" secretaries to go. Came back from vacation to find a Fed Ex envelope on my doorstep terminating me. I worked with Jerry Oshinsky for over 20 years. I know for sure that a number of associates were let go not long after I left and that the secretaries were asked to "volunteer" to leave. Not sure what's going on now.