Nationwide Layoff Watch: Bell Tolls at Bell Boyd
The Chicago market is really tough these days. In the past month, 21 associates lost their jobs with Katten, 25 associates were laid off from Sonneschein, and Jenner Block parted ways with 10 partners.
A tipster tells us that Bell Boyd’s Chicago office could be the next firm to suffer the layoff bug:
18 fired this morning, some 1st years, some 4th and 5th years. Firm wide meeting at noon central
We have contacted the firm, but they have not yet responded.
We will update you as soon as we can confirm or deny this report.
Update (3:03): Bell Boyd has confirmed 10 associate layoffs. Please see here for additional coverage.
Earlier: Nationwide Layoff Watch: Katten’s Official Message
Update: Sonnenschein Confirms Attorney Layoff Numbers
Nationwide Layoff Watch: Jenner & Block Cuts … Partners
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Niceeeeeee
first
First?!?!
PPPHIRSTTT (AGDG
FIRST NUCKA
And the anxiety continues...
Panic! Panic everyone!!!
FIRST NUCKA
PPPHIRSTTT (AGDG
i'm nervous
nervous pervis
Panic!!!! Panic everyone!!!! We're all gonna die!!!!
Looks like Bell Boyd might end up merging with Thelen.
Can we get a layoff chart with numbers and firms?
1st years like those who started 1 or 2 months ago, or in the fall in 2007?
First to ring the bell.
- boyd
Doesn't BBL only have about 200 lawyers? That's almost a 10 percent reduction in headcount.
I hope the departed land on their feet. I've always had positive dealings with Bell Boyd people, which is becoming less true of a lot of other firms here in Chitown with each passing day.
Any word on which Chicago firm might be next with layoffs? Surely Sidley and K&E aren't hurting, right?
Whats a Bell Boyd?
Another firm of which I've never heard.
For whom does that Bell toll. It tolls for you Boyd.
First to say dumbBell.
Locke is not Lord of the manor anymore.
elie: seriously, i will work for you. you need a student writer. email me...nervoust101l@yahoo.com
-nervous T-10 1L
*hustling for a job since may 2008*
And Lloyd has already left for Entourage.
seriously a 1st year?
12:30 Update resume and begin job search.
http://www.bellboyd.com/careers.php?page=car
the layoffs did not hit the class of 2008. The associate lay offs were scattered in the classes of 2003-2007 in many different practice areas. Hard to identify a pattern of any kind. However, BBL has been rumored for a long time to be looking for a dance partner - so this might be the kind of balance sheet scrubbing one sees when a firm wants to goose their RPL to please their potential dance partner. Also included in the 18 were some partners - not clear exactly who and where.
i'm nervous about the rash in my ass and mouth after sleeping over at mystal's last night
nervous t-10 1L
I am CONFIDENT that my BIGLAW offer is secure.
Confident T-14 2L
What about Morris Manning and Martin laying off associates in Atlanta?
What. It's spread to Atlanta now too. Dios mio!
*sends poorly produced video resume to WILDMAN HAROLD*
- nervous T-10 1L
What about Snap, Crackle and Pop?
28 = GULC w/o offer
28 = GULC w/o offer
i second the request for a layoff chart.
I'm assuming that this is bad news for me, as I'm a Chicago 1L who wants to settle in Chicago after graduation. I hope that things pick up by the time OCI rolls around; most of my 2L friends agree that the Chicago market is "terrible."
I guess I should earn high enough grades for Sidley or Kirkland. Have they been adversely affected by this recession enough to limit recruiting?
33/34- Doesn't stating that 28 is GULC imply by its nature that they are w/o offer? The correct version should be:
28= GULC
I'm assuming that this is bad news for me, as I'm a Chicago 1L who wants to settle in Chicago after graduation. I hope that things pick up by the time OCI rolls around; most of my 2L friends agree that the Chicago market is "terrible."
I guess I should earn high enough grades for Sidley or Kirkland. Have they been adversely affected by this recession enough to limit recruiting?
33/34- doesn't the insinuation that 28 is GULC necessarily imply they are w/o offer? The correct version would be:
28= GULC
anybody heard anything about Chapman and Cutler? Good or bad? Layoffs or no?
K&E Chicago is doing fine. I just got hired as a 3L for a full-time position and I know they have been aggressively hiring
Jesus, can you not get anything right. Katten letting 21 lawyers go in the firm and the Katten Chicago office letting 21 lawyers go is NOT THE SAME THING.
How fucking stupid are you that you cannot get teh simple things right. There is a HUGE difference between those 2 statements and what it means for the Chicago market. Similarly, with Sonneshine, it was the Charlotte office that was hit hardest.
Both Sidley and Kirkland are looking at smaller classes than they have had in the recent past. However, there are benefits to being at one of the two biggest shops in the city.
Because if you can get an offer you don't have to be worried about a) it being rescinded, b) not getting an offer at the end of the summer, or c) being fired in your first few years.
Sidley Chicago won't be closing up shop anytime soon, but their summer class is not likely to have 100 kids again next year.
Barnes & Noble Chicago just laid off 7 associates.
Barnes & Noble Chicago just laid off 7 associates.
Mayor Daley is requesting that all out of work lawyers show up on election day for a precinct walk courtesy of your local neighborhood ACORN unit.
37/39/all - Apologies for the redundancy.
-33 (And apparently 34, although I clicked Post Comment only once!)
Bell Biv DeVoe to 190!
Clearly we need to resurrect the organized mob to the point where it looks like the early to mid-90s again. Then, the Chicago legal market will really be cut-throat.
45/46 wins ..
-not so nervous 2L who is glad he accepted his offer in New York over his offer in Chicago
45/46 wins ..
-not so nervous 2L who is glad he accepted his offer in New York over his offer in Chicago
46
I guess the books were not selling?
How is the New York market?
That's pretty harsh for the first years who got let go.
"Congrats on passing the bar, security will show you out now."
Can anyone comment on the Minneapolis market? I know a lot of people here (the mid-west not ATL) are in the position of choosing between Minneapolis and Chicago. Or more tangentially even Milwaukee. Yes, I am a 2L, I have accepted an offer, and I know that I don't know anything about anything.
Can't trust a big butt and a smile.
As a recently hired 3L, 41 clearly has keen insights into the financial health of K&E.
That said, K&E is a safe bet. They have more highly regarded countercyclical practices (restructuring/IP lit/general commercial lit) than any other shop in town. And you get paid NYC wages (almost).
What's the story on Jones Day Chicago? Anybody have any information on how things are going there?
What's the story on Jones Day Chicago? Anybody have any information on how things are going there?
FYI -- DLA Piper Chicago is a sinking ship. It is bleeding attorneys and there is not enough work to go around.
61, has DLA laid anyone off yet? I don't see how they could avoid it with how real estate heavy they are.
Who's next for associate layoffs? Jenner? Baker? Sidley? Mayer?
Who's next for associate layoffs? Jenner? Baker? Sidley? Mayer?
63-64
Next up is Skadden DC.
Jones Day Chicago is fine. Partner told me so last week.
66
Yes, we can believe what the partners tell us.
Have you ever heard of keeping mushrooms in the dark and feeding them shit?
You'd make a fine associate at Thelen.
58 - Clearly the fact that a law firm is substantially hiring when other players in the market are laying off is no indication of financial health - do you get a special report about the financial health of K&E at the TTT law firm you work at?
Jones Day in Chicago and elsewhere is dominating. Many practices groups are swamped and the firm is hiring lots of lateral partners.
69 = Steve Brogan