November 2008
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Law Schools
Would You Give This Man $200 Million? Texas Is Counting On It.
The University of Texas School of Law (tied for 16th on your U.S. News scorecards) is apparently not content with their status. They want to be elite. “They’re smart, not dumb, like everybody thinks. They’re smart and they want respect Michael!” They think they’ve found just the right person to take them to the next […] -
Biglaw, Partner Profits
Washington Partners are Worried About Profits
Partners at top D.C. firms are worried that they might not be getting bonuses this year, just like associates. The Washingtonian reports that management might not be able to reward their partners as they have in years past: Usually firm managers try to lowball revenue estimates and then surprise partners with a bigger-than-expected bonus. That […] - Sponsored
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Layoffs
Nationwide Layoff Watch: Orrick Lays Off Attorneys
We received reports this morning that Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe was planning to make deep cuts into their structured finance, real estate and corporate departments. We’ve been able to confirm that Orrick is laying off 40 associates and 35 staff members today. The structured finance and real estate departments are expected to be the hardest […]
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Layoffs
In This Market: Are You Getting Laid Off or Fired? A Kaye Scholer Case Study
We’ve received a ton of comments and many tips that “stealth” layoffs are happening at Kaye Scholer. One commenter claimed: [S]ince last summer, by my count at least 8 associates left voluntarily, as did 5 paralegals. An additional 8 associates were laid off and 4 paralegals were laid off with them. It seems to me […] -
Perks / Fringe Benefits
Open Thread: Downsizing the Perks
When we did our series of Vault 100 open threads in the summer, Biglaw insiders shared insights into office culture, with much touting of work perks at various firms. These days, attorneys can brag if their firms are not among those laying associates off. Reuters reports on perk cutbacks in the finance world, such as […] -
Clerkships, Cold Offers, Job Searches
A Winter of Discontent for Clerks:Wiley Rein 'Cold Offers' Judicial Clerks
In late October, we received this question from a federal clerk: To date, I’ve seen at least six posts in a series ATL has been doing about firms rescinding unaccepted summer associate offers to 2L’s due to oversubscription of the summer class. I would be interested to know whether firms are actually, or at least […] -
Morning Docket
Morning Docket 11.13.08
* SCOTUS hearts the Navy, hates the whales. National security trumps environmental concerns in Winter v. Natural Resources Defense Council. [New York Times] * Obama plans to give the Department of Justice a makeover. Wilmer Hale partner David Ogden and Jenner & Block partner Thomas J. Perrelli are heading up Obama’s DOJ transition team. [Washington […]
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Gay, Gay Marriage
Connecticut Shows California How We Roll On The East Side
California may have let pesky voters take away the rights of gays and lesbians to have state marriages, but clearly Connecticut wants no part of “National Lampoon’s Mystic Vacation: Meet Mr. & Mr. Griswold.” Last month, we reported that the Connecticut high court upheld gay marriage. Today, a New Haven Superior Court judge ruled that […] - Sponsored
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Non-Sequiturs
Non-Sequiturs: 11.12.08
* Another take on the terrible legal job market. [BBLP/Lexis Hub] * Michael Hausfeld was dismissed from Cohen Milstein Hausfeld & Toll via a note on his chair. Wasn’t this a Sex in the City episode? [Drug and Device Law]. * Obama is already doing his part to help IP lawyers. Great. Because those are […] -
'Terrorist' Coming to a Law School Near You
Remember when Lee Bollinger invited Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to speak at Columbia? Bollinger took a lot of heat and then responded with an insulting 10 minute diatribe directed at the man he didn’t have to invite to speak in the first place. Then Ahmadinejad covered himself in rhetorical poo as he tried to kill Americans with […] -
Associate Bonus Watch 2008, Bonuses, Job Survey
Associate Life Survey: Bonus Time
We’ve received over 900 responses so far to Monday’s ATL / Lateral Link survey on bonuses, which is still open here. Although ATL had predicted that bonus announcements may come later this year, McDermott Will & Emery actually announced the “December Bonus Advance” portion of their bonus plan mere hours after our survey went live, […] -
Sidley Austin Shows Firms How to Deal With Associates During the End Days
On Monday, Sidley Austin held an all-associates meeting in the New York Office. The stated goal was to provide information to attorneys living in constant fear for their jobs. The most important news to come out of the meeting was that no layoffs are planned or expected at Sidley. That’s the good news. A tipster […] -
Layoffs, Secretaries / Administrative Assistants, Staff Layoffs
Staff Layoffs at K&L Gates
Given the fear and loathing going on in the associate market, we’ve been overlooking the fact that support staffers are getting eviscerated thanks to the global financial crisis. The White & Case bloodbath yesterday also hit 100 staffers. We’ve also reported on Alston & Bird’s attempt to force out older staff. Many people have heard […]
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Divorce Train Wrecks, Health Care / Medicine, Partner Issues, STDs
Those aren't my Herpes... Then whose Herpes are they?
In September, Kirkland & Ellis partner Frederick Tanne sued his wife, her lover, and her father for giving him herpes. (We mentioned this lawsuit in passing in Morning Docket at the time of the complaint, and many of you complained about the item not getting its own post. Well, here you go!) Tanne claimed to […] -
Bar Exams, Biglaw
1st Year NYC Associates: Please Stop. You're Hurting Me.
The New York State Board of Law Examiners claims that they will be posting results of the July 2008 Bar Exam on Friday. A tipster reports: NY bar exam results to be released Friday November 14, 2008 at 9:00 AM and available at http://www.nybarexam.org/. Another tells us: Results will be up Friday at 9:00 AM, […] -
Associate Advice, pls hndle thx
Pls Hndle Thx:Throw Physic To The Dogs
[Ed Note: Do you have a question for next week? Send it in to advice@abovethelaw.com] Dear ATL, I am entitled to my firm’s medical and dental benefits, subject to a max sum each year. Should I exploit these benefits, e.g. by going for regular check-ups and consulting a doctor even if it’s not a serious […] -
Morning Docket
Morning Docket 11.12.08
* A New York Times round-up of law firm troubles. (Regular ATL readers will find nothing new here.) Lawyers aren’t cockroaches anymore, thriving in good times and bad. Now, law firms are the canaries in the economic coalmine. [New York Times] * Judge Judy gets political on Larry King Live. The joys of not being […]
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Dissolution, Heller Ehrman
Anatomy Of A Dissolution: Heller Ehrman's 'AIG Moment'
AIG, the American taxpayers’ very own insurance company, has taken a lot of heat for their company retreat full of facials and frivolity. But in our own world of dissolving law firms, Heller Ehrman’s actions before the end have gotten far too little scrutiny. Yesterday, American Lawyer ran a story (subscription) about Heller’s 2007 partner […] -
Non-Sequiturs
Non-Sequiturs: 11.11.08
* New ideas to make the LSAT useful. [Tax Prof Blog] * Clients want staff to “buy into” the idea of client services. Meanwhile, staff want clients to stop folding and ruining their livelihoods. [What About Clients?] * What should you wear to a Sunday brunch with a partner? Anything involving a “Kick Me” sign […] -