Nationwide Layoff Watch: Cooley Godward Lays Off a Lot of People
When the ATL inbox is on fire, there is a lot of smoke somewhere out there in legal community.
Tipsters report that Cooley Godward has decided to make significant layoffs today. Tipsters that work at the firm place the numbers as high as 10 percent of associates and staff. That could put the overall number of layoffs into the fifties. The laid off employees will have to be out by the end of the week. They’re being given a 3 month severance package.
Cooley Godward spokespeople could not be reached for immediate comment.
But other tipsters report that attorneys were told that the layoffs were based on the economy, not anybody’s individual performance. The layoffs are also understood to affect all offices and some departments (like IP transactional) that one wouldn’t necessarily expect.
We will update you as more information comes to light.
The now confirms that there were layoffs today, more than we reported here. The firm says that 52 attorneys and 62 staff were let go. Check here for continuing coverage.
Earlier: Prior ATL coverage of law firm layoffs
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Comments
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First to say good luck to those let go.
First to question whether this means there's an increased likelihood of Cahill layoffs.
LAYOFFS? Don't talk about -- LAYOFFS? You kiddin' me?!!?! LAYOFFS?
First to say what's a Cooley Godward?
I wish someone would pay me for 3 months while I looked for a better job.
Cooley Godward makes the best kronish. You haven't had a kronish until you've had a Cooley Godward kronish.
were 1st years affected?
DAMN IT ELIE,
STOP, STOP, STOP FILLING THE BOARD WITH LAYOFF NOTICES. I TOLD YOU TO COMBINE THEM ALL INTO ONE POST AT THE END OF THE DAY. YOUR OTHER POSTS ARE TO BE FILLED WITH ORIGINAL AND INTERESTING CONTENT. YOU KNOW, LIKE WORK? A LITTLE MORE THAN CUTTING AND PASTING FROM LAYOFF EMAILS?
DAMN.
P.S. 80S GUY IS A GREAT NEW SHTICK.
"departments (like IP transactional) that one wouldn't necessarily expect"
How would IP transactional be busy when there are no transactions happening?
wow
9 - IP transactional includes patent preparation and prosecution
4 - Cooley Goodward is a highly prestigious firm that hires solely graduates of Cooley Law School:
http://www.cooley.edu/
Cooley is ranked as the number 12 law school in the country, and is thus part of the highly touted "T14" law schools with extremely prestigious alumni:
http://www.cooley.edu/rankings/overall2008.htm
I'd expect layoffs at any firm named after such a TTT law school
3 is a solid shtick.
At Cooley, patent preparation and prosecution and IP transactional are different departments.
This Jim Mora schtick has serious potential.
Thank you 11, you're really opened my eyes. I wish health and wealth to you and your whole Cooley family.
Best Regards,
4
Any news on offices and classes affected? Class of 09?
Note: This is an actual question, please ignore if you're an idiot like 95% of ATL commentors.
17 - I highly doubt the class of '09 was affected by the layoffs, since they haven't started working there yet. They could have had offer rescinded, though, which they'd probabl deserve, since graduates of Cooley law school shouldn't have jobs anyway.
should be a fun summer @ Cooley!!!!
Best of luck to those who were laid off today.
David Lat seriously needs to hire someone to prune the idiotic comments and the autoadmit trolls.
those cooley rankings are hilarious. who knew that cooley is actually ranked higher than stanford?!?!?!
17, does that 95% include you? Stub years are class of 2008.
At least we know Cooley did this as a last resort, since they value their associates so much. What's that? They fired a bunch of associates a few years back as well?
Fucking a, guys, who the hell is running this place? Any associate that goes there is just begging for trouble.
Jewish Chicks = HUGE PUBES!
The Mora post is excellent.
8 - you're the only complainer. Get a grip and live with it. Some of us are interested in full posts with comments.
BITCH SPREAD DEM BUTTCHEEKS SO I CAN GET A WHIFF OF THE JUICY KRONISH!
3=15=25
28 = brainsurgeon
No, actually, I am not 15 or 25. In my opinion, 28, your post sucked.
Mora just ruined it by revealing his true self. I guess we are back to what. . .the ass lobster?
I like saying shtick. I think it makes for a good shtick.
I agree the Mora parallel is funny, but I'm not sure what "serious potential" it has beyond what the creator just posted. Here's the YouTube reference if anyone is interested:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHg5SJYRHA0
29, I think "brain surgeon" is two words.
Is anyone else stoked for LOST?!
21 - My favorite part about the Cooley rankings is that Cornell is ranked as the sixth best law school in New York -- behind Columbia, NYU, Fordham, Brooklyn (?), and Cardozo (??).
3- very good stuff
Not 3, 15 or 25. Mora schtick is funny...but won't be 2 wks from now.
and, let me guess, Cooley PPP is up 7%
and, let me guess, Cooley PPP is up 7%
More Lobster, less Cooley.
BITCH SPREAD DEM BUTT CHEEKS SO I CAN GET A COOLEY WHIFF OF THE JUICY KRONISH!
Didn't Cooley just bring on a bunch of ex-Heller partners and associates?
I call BS on 30.
Elie could you run a check on the IP addresses that posted to confirm that 3=15=25.
30 I didn't really care for your opinion. That's just my opinion.
Ah, the law firm bubble popping. The final bubble, the US Government, won't be far behind...
Seriously, where did the Cooley rankings come from? GREAT FIND.
Shit, I thought the Cooley links were bogus. So there IS a Cooley law school AND it's well ranked by umm, well... them.
Pretty nifty.
The Cooley rankings is what happens when you include PC-feel-good "diversity" factors in the rankings, such as
"Total Minority Enrollment"
"Percentage of Minority Students"
"Number of Minority Faculty"
"Number of States in which Graduates are Employed"
Poor University of Chicago, ranked #31 in the Cooley rankings. At least they're moving up from #38 last year.
This Jim Mora thing has tremendous potential...to be annoying as hell
Wondering if people at Fenwick, WSGR and Gunderson feel slightly ill at this exact moment.
48 - Gunderson already did layoffs (covered on ATL). WSGR and fenwick to come, according to word on the street
During times like these, it's often safer to be in chains than to be free.
did they freeze salaries, too?
50 you're a disgrace to a worthy author.
I thought the Gunderson layoffs were kind of like a quick No. 2 in a public bathroom when you know there's a lot more to come once you get home.
45 - The majority of the ranking criteria for the Cooley rankings have to do with the square footage and number of chairs in the library.
It's possibly the funniest thing ever.
52 - In the struggle between yourself and the world second the world.
33 - thanks. I just got Rick-rolled.
50 and 52 made me lol. Much better than the Jim Mora schtick. Although an Iverson/Jim Mora combo would have potential.
50 and 55 made me lol. Much better than the Jim Mora schtick. Although an Iverson/Jim Mora combo would have potential.
Were salaries frozen at Cooley? Any info on offices hit hardest?
#59: No word yet on salary freezes or bonuses; supposedly associates will find out by next week. It would further demoralize associates to layoff their colleagues, slash bonuses and freeze salaries, but me thinks this is the sign o' the times.
Also interested in which years were affected and the distribution of the layoffs by office. Any CG associates have any info?
#59: No word yet on salary freezes or bonuses; supposedly associates will find out by next week.
Let's see if ATL will let me post this whole thing. They cut it off at around 1/3rd last time.
THE LIST: This list does not include "redeployments," mergers, staff, or staff attorneys.
Announced | Firm | Location | Total | "Review-Based"? | Acknowledged?
1/11/2007 Kenyon & Kenyon US 16 No Yes
10/1/2007 Thacher Proffitt & Wood US 24 No Yes
10/17/2007 Kirkland & Ellis Chicago 6 to 8 Yes No
1/10/2008 Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft Charlotte 9 No Yes
1/10/2008 Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft NYC 26 No Yes
2/14/2008 Winstead PC Dallas ~3 Yes Yes
2/29/2008 Dechert US 13 No Yes
3/20/2008 Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner US 26 No Yes
4/4/2008 Dewey & LeBoeuf Jacksonville 10 No Yes
4/4/2008 Dewey & LeBoeuf Hartford 22 No Yes
4/4/2008 Dewey & LeBoeuf Austin 16 No Yes
4/25/2008 Sutherland Asbill & Brennan Atlanta 8 Mix Yes
4/25/2008 Sutherland Asbill & Brennan DC /=12 No Yes
1/21/2009 Cooley Godward US Unk No No
5/12/2008 Paul Hastings US 22 Yes Yes
5/28/2008 Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal US 37 No Yes
6/5/2008 Blank Rome Philadelphia 6 Yes Yes
6/5/2008 Blank Rome NYC 2 Yes Yes
6/5/2008 Blank Rome DC 1 Yes Yes
6/11/2008 Thacher Proffitt & Wood US 36 No Yes
6/23/2008 Powell Goldstein US <10 No Yes
7/1/2008 Patton Boggs Dallas 4 Yes Yes
7/1/2008 Patton Boggs US 5 Yes Yes
7/14/2008 Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LA, SF, San Diego 15 Unk No
7/16/2008 Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman East Coast <10 Unk No
7/30/2008 Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft NYC, Charlotte, London, DC 96 No Yes
8/4/2008 DLA Piper London 1 No Yes
8/6/2008 Sullivan & Worcester Boston & NY 7 Yes No
8/12/2008 Simpson Thacher & Bartlett global 30 Yes No
8/21/2008 Morgan & Finnegan NYC ~4 No Yes
9/22/2008 Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer unknown <5 No Yes
9/25/2008 Heller Ehrman US ~600? No Yes
10/2/2008 Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal US 25 No Yes
10/14/2008 Clifford Chance NYC & DC 20 No Yes
10/20/2008 Dewey & LeBoeuf Charlotte 8 No Yes
10/20/2008 Katten Muchin Rosenman US 21 No Yes
10/21/2008 Jenner & Block US 10 No Yes
10/22/2008 Dechert US 10 to 30 Yes No
10/23/2008 O'Melveny & Myers LA 5 Yes Yes
10/27/2008 White & Case Milan 14 No Yes
10/28/2008 Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner US ~500? No Yes
10/30/2008 Bell Boyd & Lloyd Chicago 10 No Yes
11/3/2008 McKee Nelson NYC 13 No Yes
11/3/2008 McKee Nelson DC 4 No Yes
11/11/2008 Loeb & Loeb US 8 Yes Yes
11/11/2008 White & Case US, London 70 No Yes
11/12/2008 Moore Van Allen Charlotte 20 No Yes
11/13/2008 Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe US 40 No Yes
11/14/2008 Greenberg Traurig NYC unk No No
11/19/2008 Brown Rudnick US 20 No Yes
11/20/2008 Mayer Brown US 33 No Yes
11/20/2008 Squire Sanders US <30 Yes Yes
11/21/2008 Dewey & LeBoeuf NYC 5 to 11 Unk No
11/21/2008 Fried Frank US 15 Yes No
12/1/2008 Fried Frank US 15 Yes No
12/3/2008 Reed Smith UK 11 No Yes
12/4/2008 Proskauer Rose US 35 No Yes
12/4/2008 Dewey & LeBoeuf NY 11 No Yes
12/4/2008 Dewey & LeBoeuf LA 1 No Yes
12/5/2008 Seyfarth Shaw US 30 No Yes
12/10/2008 Pircher Nichols & Meeks LA, Chicago 8 No Yes
12/10/2008 Howrey Unk ~10 Yes Yes
12/15/2008 Wolf Block US 15 No Yes
12/15/2008 Drinker Biddle US 20 No No
12/17/2008 Gunderson Dettmer US Unk Yes No
1/7/2009 Kirkland & Ellis Chicago 15-25 Yes No
1/7/2009 Dickstein Shapiro NYC & DC 10 No Yes
1/8/2009 Parker Poe NC/SC 13 No Yes
1/8/2009 Baker & McKenzie NYC 6 No Yes
1/8/2009 Clifford Chance London ~80 No Yes
1/8/2009 Cahill Gordon Unk Unk Unk No
1/9/2009 Wildman Harrold Chicago 10 Yes Yes
1/9/2009 Loeb & Loeb US 4 Unk No
1/13/2009 Dewey & LeBoeuf LA 8 Unk Yes
1/14/2009 Foley & Hoag Boston 17 No Yes
1/16/2009 Blank Rome NYC & Philly >/=12 No Yes
1/21/2009 Cooley Godward US Unk No No
As one of the 52 associates (and 62 staff) laid off today, I can answer a couple of questions:
41 - Yes, the newly opened Seattle office is made up almost entirely of ex-Hellerites.
61 - As far as I know, NY (fka Kronish Lieb Weiner & Hellman, which merged w/ Cooley in '06 to become their NY office) was hit pretty hard. Layoffs occurred across classes (1Y to 8Y) and departments, but obviously lit was not hit as hard as corporate. I heard some real estate associates got "rescued" by the bankruptcy group.
Any word on the San Diego office?
Thanks for the info 69 and best of luck.
Total J.D. Enrollment - The total enrollment of a law school reflects its success in attracting students, its appeal to those interested in legal education, and its ability to carry out its institutional mission. While size alone does not assure quality, it does permit a school to offer its students a greater variety of courses, programs, and activities. All other things being equal, a good big school is better than a good small school.
Really?!
10--
You might want to check Cooley's group breakdown before spouting off. Check:
http://www.cooley.com/TECHNOLOGY
which is the "Technology Transactions" group.
There is a seperate prep/pros group. So, while wherever you work might lump them together, Cooley doesn't, jagoff.
69 - what about Cooley NoVa/DC? I have friends in the emerging company practice there.
It really sucks that they hit some first years. =(
I don't know what would be worse, trying to find a job after getting fired after three months or trying to find a job for the Heller people that never got to start.
I guess at least the Cooley people will get paychecks for three months while they look.
70- San Diego lost 8 (4 business, 2 real estate, 2 lit)
72 = Subtle Yale/Stanford Troll
Serious question.
I want to be a corporate attorney. Worked in corporate law for ~2 yrs. Due to the slowdown in corporate (obviously), I was shifted to do banking/bankruptcy. Keeps me busy, job security, etc. but I want to do corporate. What to do? Accept another position with a firm doing banking/bankruptcy b/c its a job - even though I hate it? Try to hope that corporate picks up? Nobody is really hiring corporate associates. How easy would it be to switch back from banking/banruptcy law to corporate when the economy recovers again? Your advice is appreciated...
Those cooley rankings (from 11's post) are hilarious. One of the factors is how many square feet the the law school's library is, and another is how many seats it has.
77 -72 could be a chicago troll
Can someone confirm how many were laid off in Seattle, and whether all of them were ex-Hellerites? Sorry to the laid off--best of luck.
74 - 69 here. Don't know what the story is in NoVA/DC.
76's comment about the breakdown and # laid off in SD is news to me. I've only heard 2d hand about NY, where I know for a fact that 2 real estate, 2 corp and 1 tax associate were laid off. There may be more, but I don't know. Also heard that the three RE associates were switched to part-time, and one associate, as I mentioned, got "rescued" by the BK group.
Any word on the Palo Alto offices? And have the bios on the laid-off attorneys already been scrubbed from the website? Seems like a really low number of first years listed online...
first years haven't generally been put online yet.
As an ex-Kronish associate, good luck to those that were laid off.
Vulture, vultures everywhere.
85, another former KLWH'er here as well. Best and good luck to all the associates and staff who were let go.
"When the ATL inbox is on fire, there is a lot of smoke somewhere out there in legal community."
Out there in THE legal community, MysTTTal.
And since when is "now" a noun?
89 - Now can be a noun. "You've got to live in the now."
Errata:
"When the ATL inbox is on fire, there is a lot of smoke somewhere out there in legal community."
When the ATL inbox is SMOKIN', there is a lot of FIRE somewhere out there in legal community.
Can someone explain why it is a big hush hush secret when law firms are forced to lay off staff? I recall when the San Diego office of McKenna Long & Aldridge laid off over half its staff, and attorneys were dropping like flies back in April-May 2008 due to "lack of work" it was such a solomn secret . I personally admire and have huge respect for Cooley for having the guts and integrity to go as far as putting out a press release regarding their unfortunate circumstance. It informs the legal community of the caliber of individuals available in San Diego's legal community seeking employment. In my opinion it is the firms that tried to hide their downfalls by "quietly" laying off staff and giving them "hush" money that I would be concerned about.
McKenna Long's San Diego office released a few slackers in 2008, not "over half its staff" as you say, so get your facts straight. Not sure that Cooley had a choice but to put the press release out given the number of people laid off. They obviously have long-term management issues given similar problems about a decade ago.