This would never happen in TEXAS

First to say Day PiTTTney?

A memo? A memo???

What kind of firm is Day Pitney?

A real firm would leak it on the Acela.

"Dreams of a pleasant morning coding documents and browsing eHarmony turned into a nightmare....."

Marin, you SLAY me.....

This would never happen in Mumbai

I do say, I warned those chaps at Jones Day about the consequences of a merger with a postage scale company!

What's up with all the layoffs on Thursday, both this week and last? Is Thursday the new Friday--the day of choice for better employment Grim Reapers everwhere?

This would never happen in Arkansas.

8: News cycles. Firms want to fire near the end of the week, so people can cool off over the weekend. Firms don't want to end up as a Friday post though, which lingers through the weekend and draws more attention than it otherwise would.

ha Ha Ha

"Dreams of a pleasant morning coding documents and browsing eHarmony turned into a nightmare....."

hah

honestly never heard of the firm -- what flyover city is it in?

way to be a tool and stereotypes assistants and staff members.

9 - Because there are no JOBS to lose in Arkansas....

1: You are correct, if this was Latham they wouldn't even acknowledge the firings.

This would never happen at SkaddenLA.

Please take down all posts except the Pillsbury one, thanks. AND WHY HAS NO ONE CRACKED ANY PILLSBURY DOUGH BOY JOKES?

13 - They're an East Coast firm that has offices all over the Mid-Atlantic to support Dunder Mifflin, their largest client. DP's managing partner is on DM's board.

So what's up with Bracewell and Giuliani? Are the reports of at least 5 attorneys fired in Houston accurate?

So, is anyone else thinking that with all these staff cuts, what first year associates are going to be doing going forward is whatever its was all the secretaries and paralegals were doing before they got canned? ATL Associate Survey in order? -- Are you doing stuff secretaries and staff used to do?

This would never happen in Samford, CT.

Oh wait, yes it would, it's Samford, CT!

The general HR thinking, the new buzz thought, is that people let go on a Friday are more likely to kill themselves over the weekend. For some reason, even if they're NOT working on that Friday, and have, for all intents and purposes, an endless weekend, just KNOWING that the day after the Thursday they were fired is a weekday, that will magically prevent them from ever hurting themselves.

HR - is there anything they can do?

Marin's headlines, while trying to be funny, are pretty brutal. If I am one of the affected associates (or previously affected at another firm) and read this headline, I wouldn't feel so good. At least Elie has a sensitive side.

24 = Elie's mom.

19; I was at a amlaw 100 firm in NYC and am at another amlaw 100 firm in another east coast city -- I've been practicing for 15 yrs and never heard of this firm -- I am sure they are solid though -- sounds like another also ran circling the drain.....

23 - Sounds like an Office Space sequel is in order, in that case!

Now, I have a meeting with the Bobs...

Funny how everyone can be so critical of a firm where 3 U.S. Supreme Court Justices once worked, one being a co-founder.

28 - Which ones?

28, i agree DP is way stronger than intellectual inferiors on this site can comprehend, but which 3 Justices to you refer to?

This really isn't that crappy of a firm. It's the largest in Connecticut- for what that's worth. I think the reason that some of you haven't heard of it is because it was created just about a year and a half ago from the merger of Day, Berry, & Howard (CT) and Pitney Hardin (NJ)

how many lawyers fired

Is it Thursday? Dang. We meant to do this on Friday. My bad.

28, 30, & 31 must work at Day Pitney . . .

YES YES YES, I'M ONE OF THE CHOSEN ONE THAT GOT FIRED THIS MORNING....I WASNT SUPRISE, NEW OF THE CUT WAS LEAN OUT WEEKS AGO IN THE OFFICE, AND HR BOOKED ALL OF THE CONFERENCE ROOM FOR THERE USAGE TODAY. YES YES YES WE ALL CALL IT THE BLOODBATH OF DAYPITNEY.....

Is it Thursday? Dang. We meant to do this on Friday. My bad.

I don't work there but I do know that it's a good firm. It may not be AmLaw 100 or whatever floats the boats of you ugly, fat douches who make fun of less prestigious firm, but the people who work there are happier than you are.

Justice Mahlon Pitney (1912-1922)
Justice William Brennan (1956-1990)
Justice Samuel Alito (2006 to present)

YES YES YES, I'M ONE OF THE 66 THAT GOT FIRED THIS MORNING. I WASNT SUPRISE AT ALL, NEW OF THE "BLOODBATH" AS WE CALL IT WAS LEAK OUT ABOUT A WEEK AGO. HR BOOKED ALL OF THE CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE FOR THE ENTIRE DAY TODAY, AND IF YOU RECEIVED A CALL, TO COME TO CONF ROOM THIS MORNING YOU THEN KNOW SOMETHING BAD WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

Justice Mahlon Pitney (1912-1922)
Justice William Brennan (1956-1990)
Justice Samuel Alito (2006 to present)

Justice Mahlon Pitney (1912-1922)
Justice William Brennan (1956-1990)
Justice Samuel Alito (2006 to present)

35&39 - It's hard to see why they let go a gem like you . . . maybe you'd better bone up on your basic grammar before you go job searching, hon.

Justice Mahlon Pitney (1912-1922)
Justice William Brennan (1956-1990)
Justice Samuel Alito (2006 to present)

Does crapping all over the firms doing the layoffs make you feel more secure? See how well that top-10 diploma serves you when we're all knife-fighting in the street for food and gas.

Rutgers law will rule the day when the streets run red with the blood of the privileged.

See You There!

It is sad when people find humor in other's loosing their jobs.

The current governor of Massachusetts, Deval Patrick, was also a partner there...

45: It's 'losing,' not 'loosing.' Your illiteracy has destined you to be flagged for the next round of layoffs to occur next week. Buh-bye!

Staff layoffs are handled badly across the board. You get called to HR, kissed by Al Pacino and have a couple of hours to pack your stuff and leave forever. In a second you go from member of the family to plague carrier. At least my severance check cleared. (After signing a non disclose and non disparage in blood)

The ship be sinking...

45. Laugh too much & you might be next.

So too was US Senator Chris Dodd

Is it me or those trying to prove that this firm is prestigious -- protest too much -- Funny how all the lawyers they point to all USED to be there. Seems to me that is the problem, the big guns left -- anyone there now that is of import -- didn't think so....

We here at Stuff BigLaw Associates Like would like to send a shout out to all of our fallen soldiers in the lay off masacre:

http://stuffbiglawassociateslike.wordpress.com/2009/02/20/dont-settle/

Don't believe Sicilian. Day Pitney has been laying off associates stealth-style since just before Christmas. I'm very sorry for all of the staff affected, but am also sorry for the good associates who have lost their jobs due solely to the economy that hush-hushed under the rug.

Don't believe Sicilian. Day Pitney has been laying off associates stealth-style since just before Christmas. I'm very sorry for all of the staff affected, but am also sorry for the good associates who have lost their jobs due solely to the economy that have been hush-hushed under the rug.

I had to deal with these clowns on a deal once and it was easily the most painful experience of my professional career.

The corporate partners at this firm have a major chip on their shoulders and it cost our client almost twice as much as it otherwise would.

P-A-I-N-F-U-L

21: Lawyers are already doing what secys used to do. Get w/ it.

21: Lawyers have been doing what secys used to do for many years now. Get w/ it. [k, edit obv.]

I'm honestly not understanding the conference room booking thing. Everyone can see it on the software and knows what's going down. I think they need to hide it better. So goofy the way the try to hide it by labeling it something funky. Bottom line is, if anyone in HR booked it, the firm is going down.

I was among those who "experienced an involuntary separation" from their position (I kid you not, that's what they called it) today. The Firm has been sliding downhill since the merger took place. Not too surprised at the layoffs, but I am shocked at how shabbily staff was treated, and how widespread the layoffs turned out to be. For those of you who think it can't happen at your firm? Think again.

Someone said it in another thread. You're screwed if you get one bad review w/in the past few years from someone who complains you didn't pluck their eyebrows just right (a/k/a spoiled rotten baby schmuck). You can be effective as hell, but one low life's review can bring you down. I'd rather be laid off than lick arse.

I live in CT and am not working for Day, but find it funny how everyone needs to disparage the firm as TTT. What was everyone doing at bigger firms laying people off that was so important to begin with, and puts you ina position to look down your nose? Let's admit what a lot of higher end legal stuff has become; monkey work done by people who's "intellectual capital" would be better spent elsewhere.

I generally find ATL to be a great source of info, and some blog posts are fairly funny. But for those of you who are insecure enough that you need to disparage any firm that isn't in Manhatten, well, go f*ck yourselves.

Get a life, start a family, exercise, just don't continue being the d*ck you are. Or continue enjoying your miserable existence judging everyone else on a value system that no one who hasn't graduated from law school in the last ten years understands.

I have a good (secure) job next year, that won't kill me with hours or force me to waste my life doing doc review or editing contracts that are now useless, a hot fiance who also happens to be a good person, and she could also care less what the names are on my firm's letterhead.

And for everyone who will make the inevitable comments about anyone working for a TTT not measuring up, and how you'll buy a lowly TTT's gf a thousand times over, or that I'm probably making this up? Well, your trophy wife/golddigger girlfriend offered to blow me in the when she was out slumming with her girlfriends last night. True story.

Oh yeah, and there are grammatical mistakes in this post. Eat it.

The merger really did send the old Day Berry & Howard downhill. Any IP litigator worth his or her weight bailed to Axinn Veltrop.

62- thanks for a brilliant post. I've read ATL for six months now and have never bothered to post. You summed up, in hilarious and articulate fashion, why elitist snobs who jerk off to their own resumes are such a pathetic lot.

44 = insane

62- Well said. Some of the people who post on this site are absurd. I guess they are attempting humor, but it comes just comes off as dickish and unfunny. I work in NJ, and Pitney Hardin (now Day Pitney) was/is one of the more respected firms in the state. Sure its not in Manhattan, but I didn't realize that was the only place a respectable firm could be located. Some of you need to get off your high horses.

62 is right. I know both sides very well and here's the deal: all of you NYC d-bags have no life, and you know it. You feel the need to belittle (in your own pathetic minds) other firms (about which you know nothing) to make yourselves feel good for one minute out of the day. Now, get back to the printers and the doc review dungeons, go suck up to your equally d-bag boss who has an equally pathetic life, and leave the rest of us alone.

62 = priceless

62 and those who concur - You guys sound a little insecure yourselves. Why else feel the need to lash out?

So many posters lash out by calling everything they can find TTT, but when someone calls them on that bs attitude -- as 62 did so well -- one of those posters runs out and cries that *62* is the insecure one?

62, your post made me laugh. Nice work. 69, I'm not impressed. We don't actually all want to live and work in NYC. I know, I know, hard to believe. Incredible but true.

If DP is not bringing in enough money, lay off some of your high-paying attorneys; part-time attorneys and most importantly HR and IT people. Why do you need so many chiefs in HR and IT...none of them know what the heck is going on anyway - never did....never will.

I am glad people think being let go from Day Pitney is funny and to joke about it. Not having a job to support your family is not a joke. The rest of you are working and have insurance - I was one of them. And yes the the rumor was out and for a week and everyone was shaking in their boots.

Rumor has it that Day Pitney is also moving from its current location to much smaller offices in the Morristown area.

Primarily for 71, but others as well.
Yes, DP HAS gone downhill since the Pitney Harding merger; New Jersey culture does not fit OR work in New England.
Highly paid lawyers and partners, HR people who are more interested in politics and faulty direction from lawyers instead of competent business analysts...And it's ENTIRELY obvious that the IT department provided no input in guiding those directing the blindsiding that ocurred. (It's really very easy to monitor computer utililization to see who's working and who's playing...) And while it's also doubtful any of the people targetted by seniority here were on EHarmony, (mature, stable, established, etc..) It's MUCH more likely that everyone left behind is busily creating or updating resumes. (Information Technology AND Management, take note..) in preparation for jumping ship. Morale and security no longer exists...
There's a LOT more to the bottom line than the actual bottom line...It's how you get there, and some of the dead wood left behind is going to be more costly than some of the more competent staff targetted by their seniority (and salaries.. ) would have been in the long run...

The whole thing is very sad. What makes it worse is that there are no jobs out there for these poor souls who were laid off to turn to.

74-Yer probly right.There's probly not too many people north of Long Island Sound who've ever heard of anything but last hired, first fired. Resume work is probly in full swing, and if this ever turns around, it will probly be slim pickings for the firm if and when they post new openings.
It's funny how a supposedly prestigious law firm can degrade itself so severely in one fell swoop. I only hope those let go can find positions with other, probly more reliable firms who haven't elited themselves into oblivion.

Unfortunately, I have more than a little insight and familiarity with the firm (read "Not so firm.")
Comments to all, in ascending order:
28 (and 51) So? Most of them are dead and gone. And 51? Elitist enough for you? No one was stupid enough to vote for him in the CT primaries.

This is 77 again. I was disconnected. If the site will let me, the remainder of my comments will follow.

Comments to all, in mostly ascending order:
28 (and 46 & 51) - So? Most or all of them are dead and gone. And 51? Elitist enough for you? No one was stupid enough to vote for him in the CT primaries. And 46? Now, perhaps, you understand why being a citizen of Massachusetts sucks so badly. Why else would rural western Mass likely have to help foot the bill for the “Big Stick it to Everyone”, especially since THEIR roads and other needs are effectively ignored?

37 - I doubt it, especially now. (Except, perhaps, for the incompetent doucebags in HR.)

48 - And tell me, just how satisfying is it to know you’ve willing accepted an agreement to forego your constitutional rights ?? Granted, you may be just as well off, but the Constitution says “We, The People”, NOT “We, the businesses and special interests”. (Someone remind me again of why we have lawyers in the first place…)

49 - Good assessment. Maybe, with all the money they might save, they can eventually hire some competent management and HR personnel. And with that, someone might eventually get a finger on the pulse of the firm, and have some actual insight and oversight into what’s actually happening internally.

54 - Sicilian , if he had any credibility at all since the merger, has lost it. You mean to tell me that even the co-chair of the Executive committee didn’t have a clue that one of his own assistants would be removed mid-assignment? I’ve got a bridge for sale. Interested ??

56 - Not sure “painful” is entirely accurate; If you check, you might find that this is what “prestigious” means when translated into English. (otherwise known as “non-legal” terms) Many of their policies and practices could easily be perceived by those with any familiarity with the firm as masochistic. (Not to mention the aforementioned egotistic; See “prestigious” above..)

57 - You are OBVIOUSLY not working for Day Pitney. For the most part, only the “floater” secretaries were let go. Some of those remaining appear to have no problem passing their “crap jobs” to people they obviously perceive to be THEIR underlings. (Some day, HR might get a handle on this. In time to prevent voluntary attrition? Doubtful.)

63 - In Connecticut, at least, one went to Robinson and Cole (in the same “flyover’ city..), who appears, at this time, to still be busy and viable.

66 - Respected? HR departments everywhere are laughing AND cringing.

71 - Perhaps they should scrutinize partners who postpone or completely fail to bill for services rendered. Or perhaps forgo renovations to since-abandoned leases, or even avoid newer, more expensive leases in highly inconvenient and relatively inaccessible areas. Anyone ever hear of the suburbs? Parking is usually readily accessible, generally free OR considerably cheaper than price-gouging municipalities, and without expecting filthy rich, high profile clients, they might actually pick up some more business ??

72 - And they still are…

73 - Entirely unlikely. That would probably make too much sense.

74, 75, & 76 - You ever work for a company with an entirely competent IT department?? Or HR department ?? Maybe the affected states will eventually take note that targeting tenured staff results in the new people on the unemployment collecting the larger compensation checks, actually pay attention this time, and refer this data to the affected state legislatures. If there is a silver lining to all of this, perhaps lawmakers will reverse course and restore worker rights that have been drastically eroded over the past several decades.

OK. It's been a week now. Some of the shock has worn off, but internally, paralegals, associates, and partners alike are disgusted not only at who was let go, but the apparent lack of justification pertaining to those chosen. As mentioned earlier, tenure did seem to play a role. However, in more than a few cases, the loss of a number of certain members of the support staff has ruffled more than a few feathers. More than one department is beginning to perceive the loss of the go-to person in that department. It's almost funny to hear those conversations.
I'm willing to bet that the partners end up voting to scrutinize those in personnel who made these "dart board " layoff decisions. Perhaps, belatedly, competence will win out.

Has anyone ever tried using jalapeno poppers as suppositories?