First?

first

top 3

this sucks

How many of these were Sonnenschein KC? Thx.

"that they were waiting until the are able to inform all affected staff members." Until "they"?

I hope nervous t-10 1L just pooped himself....in class.

-Confident 2L

2 and 3: wrong

Look into Dechert layoffs. They let go attorneys and staff firmwide yesterday.

Look into Dechert layoffs. They let go attorneys and staff firmwide yesterday.

I'm guessing Santy Claus is going to be making a quicker than usual stop at these associates' houses on Christmas eve.

Temp attorney staffing companies are seeing a rise in resumes and applications. Guess that the Sonnenschein attorneys will have to join the line.

Dechert too - oh no

WTF? Why doesn't SNR just say fuck it all and recognize that it's flatlining? Let the associates without the wherewithall to figure out what's coming down the pike find new employment and dissolve the firm. Sunshine my ass.

Any news on the Charlotte office?

Any news on the Charlotte office?

Sagman, Bennett, Robbins, Oppenheim and Taft ...

WHO CARE - WHO'S REPRESENTING THE PARTIES IN THE CITIBANK/WELLSFARGO LITIGATION????? THERE'S MONEY TO BE MADE STILL IN THESE DARK TIMES!

You are all worthless and weak. Drop and give me twenty.

A truly, truly craptastic firm that is going to be slaughtered in recruiting whenever the economy picks up.

What about king, alvarez, schulman, spears and demarco in chicago?

What about king, alvarez, schulman, spears and demarco in chicago?

sonnenschein is garbage and has been totally ruining the lives of its summers, associates...even partners. it may have been a great firm once but now it is totally TTT and no self respecting lawyer or law student should ever work there.

From what I have been told by several attorneys formerly of Sonnenschein, 21 and 24 are correct.

What about the stealth Venable departures to Bracewell and Strook?

On a callback at another firm, one of the lawyers I talked to was a former Sonnenschein associate. He hated the place three years ago, so it sounds like Sonnenschein has been a hellhole for some time now.

Check this guy out:

http://www.sonnenschein.com/attorneys/index.aspx?aid=0004218

Either 1) he's just that cool, 2) he's just that UNcool, 3) he lost a bet, or 4) wow, I'm a complete jerk because, well....

28-

Or maybe he's blind? Could be.

28 -- maybe he is blind...how tough would that be to be a blind or visually impaired lawyer...

Wow, mad props. Good for him. That's amazing. Simply amazing.

20 - you can't say to the posters on this board. only i can say that to the posters here.

Wow, mad props. Good for him. That's amazing. Simply amazing.

28 - he's blind, dum dum. Still, listing his undergrad 4.0 GPA is totally lame. Maybe he didn't proofread his website bio.

Are there braille computer screens?

Also, being blind doesn't explain the expression or teeth.

Regardless, quite an achievement. Wonder if his palms are hairy?

He IS blind. Please show some respect. He is an excellent lawyer. Just imagine how many obstacles he needed to overcome to be a lawyer.

--A former Sonnenschein associate

what kind of fucking pindick'd asshole makes fun of the blind?

28 - he's an incredibly nice guy, blind, and you're an asshole. Enjoy.

A blind man is sitting on a park bench. A rabbi sits down next to him.

The rabbi is chomping on a piece of matzah. Taking pity on the blind
man, he breaks off a piece and gives it to the blind man.

Several minutes later, the blind man turns, taps the rabbi on the
shoulder, and asks, "Who wrote this crap?"

Why don't blind people go skydiving?
It scares the dogs.

A woman was taking a bath when she heard her doorbell ring. "Who is it?" she said. "Blind man," was the answer. "I'll be right there," she said.
Without putting clothes on, she went to the door. A surprised man said,
"where do you want these venetian blinds?"

A blind man walks into a shop with his guide dog. He puts the lead on the dog and starts swinging it round through the air by it. The shop assistant is horrified by this cruelty and runs to fetch the manager.

The manager rushes up to the blind man saying: "What the hell are you doing? Put that dog down immediately." The blind man replied, "I'm only having a look around."

What are the bumps around a girl's nipples?
They read "suck here" in braille.

What do they teach a blind gynecolegist in med school?
How to read lips!!!

One day I was talking to my friend, and he said, "Yep, I'm color blind to one color." Then I asked him what color was he color blind to, and he said, "I don't know. I haven't seen it yet."

Marriage is love. Love is blind. Therefore, marriage is an institution for the blind.

What do you call a blind rabbit sitting on your face?
An unsightly facial hare!

If love is blind, lingerie makes great braille.

Why are bats blind?
Well, you wouldn't see too good if you hung upside-down all day, would you?

Best of luck to these associates. You've definitely got to feel for them, even more so in this market.

can anyone confirm dechert layoffs?

can anyone confirm dechert layoffs? are any in nyc?

Blind people are funny looking.

Dechert bleeding people. One group lost over 80 ATTORNEYS. At least Dechert had dececy to fire partners also. But why is Dechert on here? I know of 23 attorneys let go, and they have told me of almost 100 people. A bit more than 20-25 lawyers.

Dechert was an exceptionally mean firm when the economy was good. They were notoriously cheap with bonuses even after profits per partner damn near doubled over a few years. Like CWT, Dechert loved to over hire in FRE and admitted as much in 2002 when they laid off associates in that group. They are very stealthy about it and if they are ever put on the spot, they will likely play fast and loose with the number of lay offs. They will call many voluntary departures. I'd double almost any official number Dechert issues in any press release. The New York Office can't be that busy as Dechert's name seldom comes up in connection with corporate deals or major litigation post Vioxx. An ex corporate associate is actually suing the firm for lying to him about the work he'd be doing, dicriminating against him because he's orthodox and then papering his file before laying him off. If it were another firm I'd be less inclined to believe him.

45
The word is "discriminating."

28. He is blind and he is one of the nicest people I have ever known.

45. 2002 Dechert layoffs were FSG, not FRE. That said, initial layoffs in March were public. Everything since then has been stealth.

Someone give 38 a bottle to suck on to stop that damn whining

48
Dumb question, but any sense of the numbers of stealth layoffs? More than a dozen, less than two dozen? Has one office been harder hit than others? I can't imagine that Dechert NY is super busy in many of their groups. I mean after the Weil Gotschals, Davis Polks and Skaddens have had their fill there just can't be a ton of work left over for the New York offices of Philadelphia firms in an economy this bad, right?

As a former Sonnenschein employee...karma's a bitch.

all
please stop making fun of blind people...they're reading this you dumbasses!

50. Outside of FRE things are fine. Not at 2007 levels but basically flat. No one knows how many have been laid off. There was a round in July and they are doing it again right now.

DC layoffs for Sonnenschein?

The firm now has 15 offices. The newer ones in Dallas, Silicon Valley and Charlotte might be safe.

Hardest hit will be New York, Chicago and DC.

Anyone confirm layoffs at Dechert? Which office(s)?

Someone has to have some information?

44 - when did all that bleeding of attorneys at dechert happen?

Put it this way. If you summered at Dechert, hope you split or interviewed as a 3L.

50, Layoffs began Feb, Public in March, and a group every month since then. About 40 let go now, and I have been told by a partner in Philly that expect at least 25 to go in January.

But as I said before, not just associates, partners too. Dechert is in a real bad way. So why is there no posting on here?? No siren. Dechert has let people go at CWT levels. There is no end in sight to lay offs. Come on Ellie, do your job

59 here again, based on numbers I know for a fact, I have over 85 gone across a number of groups since March. Add another 25 to go (that has been cofirmed as going to happen. I could explain how I know that but that would make it so obvious what office I am in, and who I am. I know they read this blog), and you have over 100. Then factor in at least 20 layoffs no one knows about. This is sinking ship territory.

I did summer at Dechert and to be honest in this market interviewing as a 3L is hopeless. I just need 1 year and then, if it still looks bad--split.

In terms of getting offers rescinded--I would be pretty upset, considering they offered pretty much everyone. I would be surprised after so much effort to extend offers to all SA's if they rescinded any offers.

60--any chance at rescinding offers?

Is Dechert NY affected?

SNR just opened an office in Zurich, believe it or not. Practice groups have been disappearing from the firm for the last two years without anyone noticing. The recent layoffs are just the tip of the iceberg.

Hi, all. This is Bart and Derek Winokur over at Dechert. We only fire under performers. People who were good or excellent for years sometimes inexplicably become horrible attorneys. Oddly we are unable to notice this until the economy tanks. Dechert is, however, such a great firm that it is completely immune from the business cycle. We decided to post here lest people think that we aren't the incredibly amazing ever busy firm that we claim we in fact are. Any Dechert associate that has a problem should just come to my or my son's corner offices, the doors of which are always open. I can tell you about all the money I have, how smart I am and why every one wishes they were as gifted at firm management as I. Then I will fire your ass, unless you're one of my spawn. Then, I'll just make you a partner.

59,60
Nothing you say should surprise anyone who works at Dechert. The powers that be at that place are incredibly secretive and very shady. They churn associates constantly. The way they treat their staff is also a crying shame. It's a shame too because some of the people there are gifted attorneys. But you don't make the leap in profits per partner that they did in so short a time without a little bit of douchebaggery at the top. Some of the partners there will slit their fellow partners' throats for a nickel.

If what you folks are posting about Dechert is true, they have done an incredible job of keeping this under wraps. If there's a story here for ATL to break and, more importantly, if it turns out to be true then the sheer secrecy of it all suggests some serious malevolence on the part of whoever the decision makers are at Dechert. I imagine that none of the associates asked to leave were told it was for economic reasons. Laying people off in small groups month by month suggests the firm isn't very transparent in how they would break the news to the laid off associates.

ELLIE, CHASE THIS DECHERT STORY. They are supposed to be a big deal in Philly. If there's a shit storm there then that's big news to UPenn grads and people that want to work in that neck of the woods.

59, 60. Think your numbers are on high side. However, I only know of layoffs in FRE so if there have been any outside FRE that would definitely get closer to your numbers. Cuts have been at all levels and all offices (except maybe SF). Dechert won't rescind SA offers. They have some common sense re: recruiting and forward planning.

SNR and KMR are not unusual. The same is happening at 15 of the 20 largest firms in Chicago - just has not hit the media yet. The question is what will happen in january when year end results are in, it is time to set points, and time to do associate reviews. The major blood bath happens from Super Bowl through March 1. Remember you read it here first. If the economy is still rattling expect 10-15% headount reductions across the Board. The Grim Reaper does her work.

I think 70 is right on here. The real catalyst for cataclysm, so to speak, will be partner compensation meetings. Only when the reality of substantially lower profits is put on paper will the reality and finality of this economic downturn truly hit home. And the panic that results will fuel the real bloodbath. That's how it happens every time.

70- and what 15 out of 20 firms are those?

What five firms in Chicago aren't laying off?

Jones Day doesn't lay people off.

When did the Grim Reaper become a woman?

Hey No #28:

You insensitive little fucker. Did you fall out of the Stupid Tree and hit every branch?

My guess is that your penis size has a direct correlation to your IQ. Both tiny...teeny tiny.

May you and your sad ass be laid off soon. Peace out jerk off.

Kirkland
Sidley
Jones Day
Mayer Brown
Winston
Latham

these all appear to be pretty strong right now; they'll weather the storm

28, hope you go blind via broken glass. Ass.

-

Investigate this Chicago stuff. Lots of smoke on major headcount reductions - reduced summer classes, reduced offers to 2008 summer classes, public layoffs at some firms.

Figure out what the fire is. 15 of 20 cutting significantly would not surprise me.

First!

If firms are really worried about their bottom line why don't they de-equitize lazy or older partners and cut costs (fancy parties, fancy office space, etc) rather than fire a bunch of junior associates?

Do you think they will have a sale on all those iPhones they bought a while ago????

For 2007 and 2008, Portnoy is paying himself a total of $4,000,000. $4,00,000 for a 41-year old lobbyist who has never practiced law a day in his life, and who arrived at the firm five years ago. If Portnoy had an ounce of personhood in him, he would turn back at least $3,000,000 of that undeserved $4,000,000. With that $3,000,000, the firm could pay 50 hard-working, longstanding Chicago office staff members who otherwise would be thrown to the curb. Sonnenschein was a jewel, a great firm, known for its stability, cohesiveness, kindness and sharing. It is a tragedy that one Johnny-come-lately megalomaniac could in less than two years dismantle a 100-year old pillar of Chicago decency for no earthly reason. Quaini should retake the Chairmanship from Portnoy and restore the firm's laudable value system.

I can confirm 7 layoffs in SNR's Charlotte office: 4 associates, 2 of counsel and 1 partner.

Only one lawery in Chicago and no lawyers in K.C. were laid off. Although more staff was shown the door. Laying off staff is an easy way to save money. Most new lawyers with technology knowledge are not very reliable on staff, and especially when they are not super busy. A good deal of legal secretarys, in this economy, are pretty much fat that can be cut.

update: 2 lawyers in chicago got the ax. See below. Staff was hit much harder. Clearly, if you are not producing income, you are expendable. Staff should be more worried than lawyers in this economy.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chicago-lawfirm-layoffs-oct16,0,2059582.story

http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2008/10/13/daily35.html

SNR KC laid off 4 staff people (not 3 as reported in this story). One facilities worker, one part-time librarian, one part-time secretary and one administrative assistant.

84: You're clearly not a staff person. Staff salaries are a very, very, very, VERY small percentage of what the attorneys (associates or partners) make.

Further, have any of you ever thought about the fact that if you each took a fraction of what you make every year (say $10K or even $20K) and put it back into getting SNR back on track, you could save countless staff people and/or make the bottom line better? You'll never do it, but has it EVER even crossed your minds?

86: You are leaving out one important distinction: Attorneys are income producers and staff are not. Theoretically, when attorney's are busy, staff make attorneys more effecient, but when attorneys are slow, staff is of little need. Although they make only a quarter the salary of an associate, they bill 0 dollars, while a slow mid level associate can bill out $400,000, twice his or her salary. Cutting staff can save 40K and up a piece, which does add up when you clean house like sonnenschein.

is it confirmed that SNR will miss budget by 30%?

87, try this. Work for one week w/out your secretary, then comment again about how "staff is of little need"

When attorneys are slow, less staff is needed. The ratio of attorneys to staff has been steadily rising. And to argue attorneys should be layed off instead of staff, be careful what you wish for. When there are less attorneys there is less need for staff.

Sonnenschein L.A. office in a death spiral. Major real estate group left last month. Senior corporate partners going fast.

Does anyone know if SNR is laying off people in the Silicon Valley or San Francisco? Any particular practice areas?

Does anyone know if SNR is laying off people in the Silicon Valley or San Francisco? Any particular practice areas?

Does anyone know if SNR is laying off people in the Silicon Valley or San Francisco? Any particular practice areas?

the whole climate there is not as it was. it used to be a great place to work when it was smaller........people of all levels are not happy there.

glad i got the boot when i did.

89, thanks. I wish you -- and those with similar thinking -- all the best in these trying times.

87, are you one of the "highly educated" dicks that cannot write a cohesive paragraph? There are plenty of them. THEY WOULD NOT BE EMPLOYED WERE IT NOT FOR THEIR SAVY SECRETARIES.

89, thanks. I wish you -- and those with similar thinking -- all the best in these trying times.

87, are you one of the "highly educated" dicks that cannot write a cohesive paragraph? There are plenty of them. THEY WOULD NOT BE EMPLOYED WERE IT NOT FOR THEIR SAVY SECRETARIES.