December 2008

On Friday we reported that Epstein Becker & Green might have set the bonus market for regional firms to zero. While associates at firms outside the AmLaw 100 have every reason to worry about receiving any bonus at all, it’s worth remembering that the terrible economic conditions are still causing layoffs. We received word that […]

In this economy, legal recruiters remind me of benevolent clergymen: YOU: I’m just so confused … so afraid. RECRUITER: Do not despair my child. Open your heart and mind to Us and We will show you opportunities of great satisfaction. YOU: But I have been forsaken! RECRUITER: We see all, We help all. Come with […]

Kirkland & Ellis sent out one over-the-top holiday party reminder, yesterday. They made the planned festivities sound so great that I briefly missed the feeling bourgeois accomplishment that comes from working in Biglaw in Manhattan. Take a look at some of the highlights: The Holiday Party is this Thursday, and we are expecting about 530 […]

In today’s ATL / Lateral Link survey, let’s focus on job security, and investigate just how hard the softening economy has been hitting the associates at your firm. As in layoffs. Last December, we found that roughly 10% of associates were afraid of losing their jobs, and another 12% were afraid for others but not […]

[Ed Note: Do you have a question for next week? Send it in to advice@abovethelaw.com] >Dear ATL, My firm has a women’s committee that organizes programs like lunches, networking events, and most recently mentoring “lunch bunches.” To my knowledge, the men in our firm are not invited to participate in these events. I don’t particularly […]

* Online anonymity is at stake in a case in Maryland. A Dunkin’ Donuts shop owner is pursuing a defamation case after getting slammed by anonymous commenters on a newspaper forum. The Maryland Court of Appeals is now deciding whether the newspaper company has to hand over the identities of RockyRacoonMD and others. [Washington Post] […]

Debevoise & Plimpton has been very busy and very profitable. They recently sent around a positive internal email about the firm’s business during the downturn. And we know that the Siemens case has treated them well. But in 2008, public protestations of solid business mean nothing when it comes to associate compensation. Debevoise announced that […]

* Tomorrow is scheduled to be a “Day Without A Gay.” In solidarity, tomorrow I will refuse to be spirited, happy, or carefree in any way. [Day Without A Gay] * “Prawfsfest 4 is being hosted at the University of Miami from December 8th – December 10th. Law professors in Miami? Break out the Bengay […]

The terrorist attacks in Mumbai reminded everyone that we live in a dangerous world. But as India takes the steps necessary to improve its homeland security, we shouldn’t expect the tragedy to stem the tide of outsourcing American legal functions to Indian companies. The National Law Journal reports that firms are increasingly proud of their […]

McDermott Will & Emery has already announced that associates will be eligible for their bonus “advances” that they were already promised. We reported that MWE associates can expect $10K to $20K now, while the final numbers will be released in March. At the time we said: The other wrinkle here is that MWE is leaving […]

More bonus news today, this time from Schulte Roth & Zabel. The numbers are not surprising: Class Year: Bonus 2008: $17,500 (pro rated)2007: $17,5002006: $20,0002005: $22,5002004: $25,0002003: $27,5002002: $30,0002001: $32,5002000: $32,5001999: $32,500 Schulte has an hours target, but it also claims Cerberus as a major client. Cerberus owns Chrysler… so there has probably been at […]

With the holidays two weeks away, many are starting to think about the frantic search for gifts for loved ones… and loved support staff. A Consumer Reports survey indicates that 76% of Americans will cut back on gift giving this year. Surprise, surprise. But what does it mean for planning your gift for your secretary […]

As we’ve explained before, overall head count numbers can be misleading. In these days of layoffs, acknowledged and stealth, firms could still be cutting associates while putting up big head count numbers. But it’s always fun to gawk at the huge Manhattan behemoths. Today, the New York Law Journal Magazine released their annual report on […]

Yesterday, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich made news with “dangerous” threats about halting all state business with Bank of America until the Republic Windows & Doors fiasco is sorted out. Today, Blagojevich learned the old rule: “Let he who is not under investigation for ‘staggering’ corruption cast the first stone.” The Chicago Tribune (which is still […]

Even I have “adjusted” to the fact that the market thinks Half-Skadden set the market with their low associate bonuses. People are afraid for their jobs and firms have an opportunity to use the fear to save a buck. Why compete with elite firms like Skadden when there’s money to be made? Still, a few […]

* No trial for you! New Hampshire’s Superior Court is shaving a month of jury trials off of next year’s calendar because of its budget crisis. [New York Times] * 9/11 masterminds recant their guilty plea because they want the death penalty. [Washington Post] * Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo is taking the leaders […]

It has been a while since we last checked in with the firm formerly known as Heller Ehrman. While many Heller partners have landed safely at firms like Orrick, Covington & Burling, and Winston & Strawn, some ex-Heller junior associates and staff are still twisting in the wind. The fact that markets everywhere are awash […]

* Mead and hookers. That’s what I remember from Lincoln’s Inn. [What About Clients?] * Florida’s professional teams generally play in worse facilities than their college teams. Aside from the fact that I’d take the Gators (-3) over the Dolphins, Marc Edelman reports that new stadium construction is not always a good thing. [Rutgers School […]

If you were not sure if you correctly handled the daunting thought experiments posed by the MPRE, scores are available today. Usually not passing the MPRE is a way to be ridiculed by your family and friends, without any lasting professional consequences. The same is probably true this year, but given the market we really […]

Today, the Supreme Court declined to take up the case about whether Barack Obama is constitutionally eligible to serve as President of the United States. With no public discussion or debate, the Court ignored Donofrio v. Wells — and didn’t bother to explain themselves. Apparently, the Court takes Justice Thomas about as seriously as the […]