Layoffs

Nationwide Layoff Watch: Nixon Peabody Lays off 20 Attorneys, 36 Staff

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Nixon Peabody announced layoffs of 56 employees today. Nixon Peabody adds its name to the growing list of firms that are eschewing stealth reductions in favor of open communication during an obviously difficult time. Managing partner and CEO, Richard F. Langan, Jr. furnished ATL with a statement minutes after the first reports surfaced of layoffs at Nixon Peabody:

While we enter 2009 with a solid platform to build upon, we are also faced with many business challenges that other law firms face-reductions in client demand for legal services which result in reduced work volumes for attorneys and paralegals, in the face of an increasing cost of doing business. Prudent management of our business requires that we downsize our associate, legal support, and administrative ranks, with the result that 20 attorneys will be leaving the firm, and we will be reducing our staff by 36 people through a combination of staff reductions and the creation of new positions.

One of our sources also reports:

A few unlucky first years who were in wrong group at the wrong time and never got the chance to prove themselves. It’s shocking that Nixon Peabody gets recognition as one of the better places to work…

Perhaps this kind of open communication from the firm is one reason Nixon is typically well regarded by the attorneys who work there?

We don’t know if any of the 56 employees let go from Nixon today were recent laterals from Thelen. Remember back in November, Nixon threw Thelen refugees a major life boat as Thelen was dissolving:

But now it is looking like Nixon is picking up 90 ex-Thelen lawyers (partners and associates), former Thelen support staff, and tripling its presence in Silicon Valley.

Sponsored

Good luck to all the former Nixon (and all the former Thelen) people looking for work. Please read the full statement from Mr. Langan after the jump.


NIXON PEABODY — STATEMENT — LAYOFFS

While we enter 2009 with a solid platform to build upon, we are also faced with many business challenges that other law firms face-reductions in client demand for legal services which result in reduced work volumes for attorneys and paralegals, in the face of an increasing cost of doing

business. Prudent management of our business requires that we downsize our associate, legal support, and administrative ranks, with the result that 20 attorneys will be leaving the firm, and we will be reducing our staff by 36 people through a combination of staff reductions and the

creation of new positions.

Sponsored

Our people are our most valued asset and the decision to downsize is hard. Our values and culture set us apart from other firms and we are all deeply affected by today’s events. Everyone leaving us is being treated fairly and with compassion.

Nixon Peabody remains a strong firm, focused on long-term profitable growth. Our success today and the legacy we create for the future is due to the exceptional team of people we have across all of our offices and practices around the world. Together, we remain committed to our

vision of extraordinary client service – all the time.

Earlier: Nixon Peabody Picks Up 90 Thelen Attorneys (This is Different From a Merger How?)

Prior ATL coverage of law firm layoffs

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