where's all the K&E trolls now?

second

Um...I work here and I haven't heard or seen a peep about this. It appears to be business as usual - no conference rooms booked, or anything like that. Either this is a load of crap, or they're being incredibly stealth about this.

Prediction: Regardless of the quality of their work product, the only summer associates that will be getting offers this summer are those who are good-looking . . . Looks like I am screwed!!!

No layoffs at K&L Gates.

just goes to show you, if you're bragging about how awesome your firm is, it's just that they've been waiting to release the bad news

this strikes me as a bunch of Kash Lobster crap.

Prediction: Regardless of the quality of their work product, the only summer associates that will be getting offers this summer are those who are good-looking . . . Looks like I am screwed!!!

Yeah...I'm at KE NY...I've heard nothing about this. How could it be going on since Wed but be that under the wraps.

Comment removed by moderator.

Biglaw is going under and I have 150K in loans. FML

Balls. Big-ass donkey balls.

What about Kirkland DC?

Someone want confirm the delayed start dates? Also, is this only for the NY office?

Testicles. That is all.

What about Kirkland DC?

#16, I very much appreciate the Family Guy reference

4 -- they are probably doing like some of the other firms -- laying off but warning the associates that they will get severance only if they keep their mouths shut

Kirkland sucks... ship be sinkin... arrr mateys.

Why isn't Elie posting this? He's back from vacation, right? Was he laid off too?

At least we know he has enough calories packed away to survive until 2011, 2012, whenever the economy turns around.

Yeah, I work at K&E NY, too. This is the first I've heard of any associate layoffs. I haven't even heard anything that confirmed the supposed layoffs in Chicago in January. Who are these tipsters?

All these layoffs are killing me. I wish I could retreat to the safety of Pedoph Isle...

Kirklobster and Ellis be chum! LobsterCHum I says!!

Can any incoming 3Ls confirm the delayed start dates?

Yeah, I work at K&E NY, too. This is the first I've heard of any associate layoffs. I haven't even heard anything that confirmed the supposed layoffs in Chicago in January. Who are these tipsters?

@21 Hilarious!

Guys at my high school used to have 2-month delays while other places fired hundreds all the time.

This post last year at this time: Noteworthy.
This post in light of everything else: No big deal.

i'm a 3L with an offer from k&e ny, and i haven't heard a thing. kashmir: please define "tipsters." are they anonymous? do they work at the firm? is there reason to believe they're any more reliable than, say, your average commenter?

Suddenly I am obsessed with eating crustaceans.

Pinchy Pincus

K&E NY litigator here, just phoned around to my extensive tipster network, and nobody has heard anything about this. Sounds like bull to me. Monday morning, we'll all be holding up a MARKET DEFEATS KIRKLAND headline.

I'm a 1st year in Chicago, and know a few people who are slow, but most of us in the litigation department are busy. Very busy. I don't know anything about this, but is scares the crap out of me.

Corporate and PE people are slow, sure. And it was true that about 20 non-shares got the boot in a more-aggressive-than-usual performance review. But litigation? Litigation?

Kirkland Chicago 3L here. We don't have a letter confirming start dates yet, and have been told the info packet will be arriving "shortly." How legit is the anonymous tipster, specifically, the 3L who said we have a Dec 2009 start date? Recruiting has been mum on the issue, so I'm curious about the reliability of this information.

23 - I believe Simmons spells it Petif, to confuse things further.

Lobster futures are way up on the Chicago Board.

Kirkland NY summer class 2008: 51
Kirkland NY summer class 2009: 49.

If I'm a 2L in the latter group, should I be worried?

34 - I could have sworn that the proper spelling was Pedif Isle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ik6jVRHmKg

29- tipsters are any persons sendigng emails to tips at ATL. that's all it takes. this story has no legs.

Chicago? I feel like singing about my favorite train line....

Riding on the City of New Orleans,
Illinois Central Friday morning layoffs
Fifteen associates and fifteen restless 3Ls,
Three paralegals and twenty-five secretaries.

Kirklanders: Beware the Ides of March. That's all I can say.

37; yes. Looks like they didn't anticipate the severity of the economic downturn. Most firms have substantially reduced this year's summer classes. I'd work hard and pray.

ATL did a bang up job with the Michael Best story last week, so I'm sure this was similarly well researched.

ATL did a bang up job with the Michael Best story last week, so I'm sure this was similarly well researched.

Hey AcelaBob, how can you sing with that mouthful of Chicago-style deep dish pizza?

Your tip is accurate. Yes #4 K&E NY is doing layoffs in an incredibly stealth way.

Kirkland? What the hell. Is anywhere safe?

ATL did a bang up job with the Michael Best story last week, so I'm sure this was similarly well researched.

ATL did a bang up job with the Michael Best story last week, so I'm sure this was similarly well researched.

Since when does Nixon Peabody have an ampersand?

Or were you just trying to write like Elie?

how is this story different from any other stealth layoff comment? let me know when k&e or another v10/v20 firm layoff 10%. otherwise, yawn...

@40 - the ides of March is a Sunday, idiot

Dear Associates,

HAPPY FIRING DAY!

Today is the day you realize that you will be poor. Very poor. You will never be able to pay off your massive law school debts. Your family and friends will pity you, others will laugh at you. You will never enjoy the career or success you dreamed of in law school.

But you can overcome this setback. There are still jobs to be had in retail. There is no shame in stocking shelves for a living.

For the men among you, this means that you will probably have a hard time finding a wife or girlfriend. For the women, you can still latch on to a man with a job. But be prepared to spend a lot of time on your back, as this is the only way you can "add value" now.

Sincerely,

The Partners who did this to you.

LOL at all the Kirkland trolls circling the wagons. Don’t worry, im sure you will take comfort in their “classy” manner of handling it and their “generous” severance.

I told you not to tease the Kirklobster. I told you.

Kirkland has been a firm on the decline for sometime now. Layoffs of associates (and the bullsh*t 'partners' they make by the busload every year) were only a matter of time.

What do you mean trolls circling the wagon? I mean it's not out of the question for K&E to lay people off, but its strange that they would lay off in litigation (which is at least pretty busy and they haven't laid off huge numbers of corporate associates sitting around doing nothing) and nobody who works there has even heard a rumor. It sounds fishy.

54, who/what's the Kirklobster? I feel like I'm missing something about all the lobster comments.

The new matter list they circulate every week has been pretty robust lately.

The plan is to be very stealthy. Everyone knows but the targets. So, if you haven't heard . . .

Kirkland SF 3L here--have heard nothing about start dates yet, except that they won't be "before Labor Day," which was obvious to me. As far as I'm concerned, starting in December > starting in October and being laid off by December, so whatever. Although, seems to me it would be good PR for firms pushing back start dates to increase bar stipends as well. An extra $3-5k over 3 months is still a deal for them versus $3k/week. And as far as marginal utility is concerned, the 3Ls would probably be eternally grateful... at least I would be.

So is anything going on at other Kirkland offices, or is this just New York?

So is anything going on at other Kirkland offices, or is this just New York?

58: You're an idiot. Partners who have little or no business will,. to avoid getting axed, often times run conflict checks or even open new matters for "clients" that never materialize. This way, the partner looks like he or she has some business prospects even when the partner is really nothing but deadweight with a bunch of imaginary clients.

Its not the new matter list that counts, its the paid billings that count. And by that measure, Kirkland apparently isn't doing so well.

59 -- at my firm the only people who knew were the targets, and they were told to keep quiet about it.

Does the fact that they fired non-equity partners before they fired associates show that they are decent people, or that they simply don't view non-equity partners as anything more than over-paid associates?

How do I know if I am prestigious?

63 -- perhaps you should just do a google news search for Kirkland & Ellis.

55 - Stating that you have not heard a rumor is not trolling, it is providing facts. What you are doing is trolling. "on the decline for some time now?" K&E is the current AmLaw litigation dept of the year. Nice try, troll.

Also, Kash- WTF is up with saying you were "told in writing" and not providing said writing? Kash, did you see the "writing"? If not, shame on you. This smells.

65, it is the latter.

67: The representations they are getting apparently weren't enough to save those "partners" or associates. Kirkland is just not the firm that it used to be. It had its moment in the sun, and is now in the process of returning to its true role as the overgrown Chicago firm that it really is.

63

Shearman & Sterling did the same thing with our offers back in August informing us in the offer letter that start dates would not be before December. Shearman beat Kirkland to the punch.

Kashlobster rules everything around me......

Does the fact that they fired non-equity partners before they fired associates show that they are decent people, or that they simply don't view non-equity partners as anything more than over-paid associates?

Does the fact that they fired non-equity partners before they fired associates show that they are decent people, or that they simply don't view non-equity partners as anything more than over-paid associates?

65 -- the NSPs who were let go were almost all within the up-or-out range. They were essentially senior associates who didn't make share partner.

KIRKLAND LA START DATES = NOV 2.

What is yellow, gay, and read all over?

Crazy biglaw, they think totem pole alive!

#63 - I suspect that you and I were partners at the same firm. Few people know that firms are commonly afflicted with no-business parasitic equity partners who open dummy "new matters", hoard work, give associates horrific reviews so they can then suck up their work and otherwise slowly strangle their host - all while claiming to be oh so dedicated and willing to give their blood, sweat and tears to the institution.

Our old firm never took the de-wormer so the young hungry partners left to help grow a much better managed firm. It'll be interesting to see how many firms have the guts to take the pill, endure the cramps and nausea, and push out the tapeworms. My guess is that most will do what GM has done for decades - avoid the hard choices, kick the can down the road, and condemn the enterprise to death.

Kirkland is the only big law firm that when you make partner you still have to worry about getting laid off as much as you had to worry about it when you were an associate.

As a firm, Kirkland is like a Mayer Brown putting on airs.

66 -- perhaps you should just do a google news search for "my prestige."

KIRKLAND LA START DATES = NOV 2.

“and nobody who works there has even heard a rumor. It sounds fishy.”

I know people in several v10 firms (firms that havent even made the ATL layoff list) who were laid off and have not yet told a single coworker. They don’t plan on telling their coworkers about it until a few days before they leave- which is usually 3 months after being told.

Whatever happened to Count Layoffula? At least he added a bit of humor to my days.

34, 36, thank you, inexcusable mistake.

When I google myself repeatedly, I find that I am not prestigious.

ok, 67, looks like a lot of BK and Nash Bridges--which is (1) IP and (2) actually a LA tax partner's client--for new matters; everything else is existing.

what do BK and litigation associates have to do with one another? any idea what sprayregen thinks about the litigation practice? (hint--it wasn't the lit P's idea to not cut rates).

and why does anyone think they'd do anything in conference rooms? K&E may be cutthroat, but they ain't stupid--they like to keep *all* departures as quiet as possible.

ok, 67, looks like a lot of BK and Nash Bridges--which is (1) IP and (2) actually a LA tax partner's client--for new matters; everything else is existing.

what do BK and litigation associates have to do with one another? any idea what sprayregen thinks about the litigation practice? (hint--it wasn't the lit P's idea to not cut rates).

and why does anyone think they'd do anything in conference rooms? K&E may be cutthroat, but they ain't stupid--they like to keep *all* departures as quiet as possible.

I miss lobster comments. They added levity to otherwise drab and self important comments. These are dark times.

I'm an associate at K&E NY, and I haven't heard anything about layoffs. K&E asks people to leave every year, and it's possible that the bar was higher this year.

I'm also in Litigation in NY, and I haven't heard anything about the firm losing clients because of billing rates.

haha I like the question mark headline for this post.

I'm Ron Burgandy?

This whole report smacks of Kash Lobster. Kash Lobster to return to the HOLE.

79, please discuss with 78.

79: Oh REEEEEAAAAAAALLLLLYYYYY. . . perhaps you were not there (or more likely, not an attorney) in 2007 (ie still the good old days) when Mayer de-equitized 45 partners:

http://abovethelaw.com/2007/03/mayer_brown_rowe_mawling_a_bit.php

Your comparison may otherwise hold up, except that:

- Mayer's PPP is a million behind K&E's
- K&E does not have a pay freeze
- K&E was never in merger talks with Heller (HAHAHAHA)
- K&E did not lose it's bankruptcy chair to Orrick in late '08 (instead, we got Spreyeregen back from Goldman)

you=fail.

So to recap,
Layoffs are being conducted on an incredibly stealthy basis that nobody would at Kirkland would be aware of, and the targets have been instructed not to discuss it. However, laid-off associates from at least 2 completely unrelated practice groups have informed the tipster about their layoffs on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week.

Any info on Sidley?

There aren't that many midlevels in NY litigation to begin with. Everyone's still here as far as I know. Please research these tips thoroughly instead of getting caught up in the hysteria. Don't put ideas into management's heads.

94: would you post that again in english?

85: I lulzed.

85: I lulzed.

79, please discuss with 78.

97,

I think 94's point was that this story doesn't actually seem to be true.

- Not 94.

I have heard that there have been some late night partner meetings at Sidley recently. Layoffs are coming soon. It is only a mater of time.

Unfortunately, 94's point was lost in his poor communication skills, and hysterical fear of being laid off.

55, what makes you think K&E is a "firm on the decline"? It is by far the largest and most profitable firm in Chicago.

All will be well.

TMWP.

104-"by far the largest ... firm in Chicago"

when did K&E agree to acquire Baker McKenzie?

104-"by far the largest ... firm in Chicago"

when did K&E agree to acquire Baker McKenzie?

106:

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?article_id=31348

106/107 - They didn't say the largest firm WITH AN OFFICE in Chicago, just the largest firm in Chicago. Chicago has more than 600 attorneys in Chicago, more than anyone else.

106/107: Okay, you're right. Baker has more people, but I'll take a Kirkland partner's paycheck over the poor knobs at Baker any day.

Who Googles themselves repeatedly? That is absurd. Are you sure you went to law school # 85?

93: Kikland fires "partners" every year. Its PPP numbers (which reflect only last year's business) are higher for right now. But in this economy, that is changing. Like many Chicago firms, Kirkland is staring a big PPP hit in the face. Dropping PPP and WIP is why Kirkland fired partners and is apparently firing people today.

After this shakeout, a lot of firms that viewed themselves as "go to" shops during the boom will return from whence they came. Kirkland is one of those firms. It shortly will be nothing but a Chicago firm with some branch offices. It will begin living off of commodity-level transaction/litigation work, much like Mayer, Jenner, and the other Chicago firms will.

The firms that will prosper in this economy, e.g., Cravath, Wachtel, Sullivan, Cleary, etc. will capture the bet the company level work that Kirkland will forfeit. Granted, Kirkland may keep some big bankruptcy work solely as a result of Sprayregan (assuming Kirkland can keep him, he has left before, you know), but that's about it.

So, perhaps Kirkland is a Mayer Brown with a good bankruptcy department.

79

112, as long as The Bernick lives, Kirkland will have more than its fair share of "bet the company" work.

112 - i dont know if you've been following, but cravath isnt exactly "prospering" right now.

also, bust open a WSJ every once in a while. there is no more "bet the company" type work in NY. No more rich bankers to fleece, no more hedge funds and PE shops to advise.

"Chicago has more than 600 attorneys in Chicago, more than anyone else."

Huh?

112- Cleary has been reamed too, though it doesn't really fall into the same category as the others......

As soon as 112 used "bet the company" in connection with Wachtel [sic] I laughed. They might do a lot of big deals but they aren't doing much "bet the company"" litigation. Mid-market PE isn't going anywhere (even if the mega LBO shops come down) and K&E still has the AmLaw litigation dept of the year. Those are the two places most of the business comes from.

The Sidley trolls really need to calm down.

112, I hope you are not a Mayer attorney, because your reading skills are well below what I'd expect, even from someone at Mayer Brown. Seems like you've missed all those news stories about Kirkland's representation of WR Grace in the Libby, Montana case and of Dow Chemical in its dispute with Rohm & Haas.

Haven't heard anything about this or been told that my start date is pushed back....starting at KE in the fall as far as I know!

52 - You a dick and everyone I know at Kirkland sucks. There is no shame in being laid off.

52 - Your a dick and everyone I know at Kirkland is an asshole conservative. Still it sucks to lose jobs. There is no shame in being laid off.

112 --

Following on 113's point, Kirkland (i.e. Bernick) is currently on two bet-the-company trials: the Grace criminal trial in Montana which just started and the Dow/Rohm & Haas trial in Delaware which is starting next month.

Oh man do I want a job at Wachtel. They are going to be huge!

Seriously though, the big Wall Street firms that got rich on the mega-deals are going to do worse in the downturn, not better. While K&E did its fair share of that work, the bread butter of the firm (and the source of lots of profits) is still all of the work that comes out of mid-market PE (that includes not just the PE practice but bankruptcy, general corporate, general litigation, IP, etc.).

114: You're wrong. There is plenty of "bet the company" cases in NY. Except unlike during the boom, when "bet the company" just meant a really big case, this time "bet the company" really means bet the company. The carcasses of the banks/hedge funds will feed lawyers at top firms for a long time. But, getting back to the subject at hand, Kirkland NY is not an office with the heft to muscle in and feed at that trough. Don't worry too much, you still have Chicago. Kirkland will lose 25% of its lawyers before this recession is over.

To your point, Cravath has come down a bit, but its departures are still on a case by case basis, rather than the wholesale culling that we see lately from firms that imagined that they were at Cravath's level.

ATL is a cool website... except when they publish random unsubstantiated falsehoods about firms just to put something up to drive traffic. This post has been up since 1:03pm and no one has back either claim (layoffs or delayed start date). Nice digging, ATL. Real sound journalism.

Anyone else getting the feeling that the only people let go were the tipsters?

OMG, K&E lets go two associates in NYC in the worst economic market in the last 20 years! Fire up the presses... yawn.

What? No herpes jokes? You ATL commenters are slipping.

106/107 here (2x posting b/c of phone-sorry)

largest "firm" =/= largest office. K&E does have the largest Chicago office, but is only about #4 for largest Chicago-based *firm*. baker, sidley, mayer all larger (pending results of layoffs) firms.

also, 112, you are meaningfully underestimating Cieri--K&E has the best 1-2 punch in BK (WGM is better 1-10 (or 20)). also, K&E is tops for scorched earth defense, so they're a player for companies who want a knife fight.

106/107 here (2x posting b/c of phone-sorry)

largest "firm" =/= largest office. K&E does have the largest Chicago office, but is only about #4 for largest Chicago-based *firm*. baker, sidley, mayer all larger (pending results of layoffs) firms.

also, 112, you are meaningfully underestimating Cieri--K&E has the best 1-2 punch in BK (WGM is better 1-10 (or 20)). also, K&E is tops for scorched earth defense, so they're a player for companies who want a knife fight.

112: you just proved you know nothing about K&E.

121 - Maybe the third time will be a charm. It's "you're". Which probably explains why you're not K&E material.

126, keep your eyes open over the next few weeks. Major bloodletting "up to my knees, city of Chicago" ...

121 - Maybe the third time will be a charm. It's "you're". Which probably explains why you're not K&E material.

I work there. People have been forwarding this story around interally all day in confusion. There were no rumors circulating at all. Sounds like it's coming from people looking to stir up trouble.

112, I hope you are not a Mayer attorney, because your reading skills are well below what I'd expect, even from someone at Mayer Brown. Seems like you've missed all those news stories about Kirkland's representation of WR Grace in the Libby, Montana case and of Dow Chemical in its dispute with Rohm & Haas.

Pay attention to what Latham did today. This is a precursor of Biglaw Everywhere 2009. You heard it here first.

Nice f'n job, Kash. D'bag.

112 is a chump.

Don't blame Kash. Today is the calm before the storm. You'd better believe the storm is coming, folks.

Ok - I'm at K&E NY. Like everyone else says, none knows anything or anyone who looks like they got bad news this week. Who knows? Maybe the severance package is so amazing their actually happy and relieved.

But just to be sure. I checked with my buddies in IT. I know them pretty well. I asked about changes in BES (essentially who's e-mail and firm access is being cut) and the answer is, "huh?" They haven't even stopped delivering bagels and fresh fruit to every floor every day. I could check with my ex-gf at Flik to see if the had any changes in K&E's orders, but I think I know the answer.

Look layoffs are definitely coming. But they are fortunately (for K&E - not for the haters) not here yet. That doesn't mean we can relax we need to prepare. Save up sick and personal time, insist on your DC and keep your resume up to date.

When they do come, it doesn't mean to hyperventilate or schadenfreude (some of you are truly miserable people). Remember it's not just NSP and associates; it's mail room people, case and practice assistant and legal assistants who will lose their life savings, go bankrupt, maybe lose their homes, their health care and worse. Maybe some of you freaks ought to start thinking about those educated people you see every day who will suffer most in the layoffs.

hey all you dumbasses defending Kash and this post: "2009 is going to suck for Biglaw everywhere" is a whole lot different from "K&E is conducting layoffs today and is delaying their start date." 2009 may, in fact, suck for Biglaw (you're not really going out on a limb there), but that doesn't change the fact that the post was a complete sham. Watch this: "HEY EVERYONE, CLEARY IS LAYING OFF UPWARDS OF 50 ASSOCIATES, AND THEY ARE RESCINDING 3L OFFERS." I just did the same thing Kash did. Cool, huh?

You're as ass, 141. Just because you're not getting confirmation of the purported layoffs doesn't mean they aren't taking place. If attorneys were let go, I would assume confidentiality agreements are already in place.

That's right, 142. I've heard names of 15 or 20 Chicago lawyers given their walking papers in January, but I don't see them posting here.

Ok - I'm at K&E NY. Like everyone else says, none knows anything or anyone who looks like they got bad news this week. Who knows? Maybe the severance package is so amazing their actually happy and relieved.

But just to be sure. I checked with my buddies in IT. I know them pretty well. I asked about changes in BES (essentially who's e-mail and firm access is being cut) and the answer is, "huh?" They haven't even stopped delivering bagels and fresh fruit to every floor every day. I could check with my ex-gf at Flik to see if the had any changes in K&E's orders, but I think I know the answer.

Look layoffs are definitely coming. But they are fortunately (for K&E - not for the haters) not here yet. That doesn't mean we can relax we need to prepare. Save up sick and personal time, insist on your DC and keep your resume up to date.

When they do come, it doesn't mean to hyperventilate or schadenfreude (some of you are truly miserable people). Remember it's not just NSP and associates; it's mail room people, case and practice assistant and legal assistants who will lose their life savings, go bankrupt, maybe lose their homes, their health care and worse. Maybe some of you freaks ought to start thinking about those educated people you see every day who will suffer most in the layoffs.

Ok - I'm at K&E NY. Like everyone else says, none knows anything or anyone who looks like they got bad news this week. Who knows? Maybe the severance package is so amazing their actually happy and relieved.

But just to be sure. I checked with my buddies in IT. I know them pretty well. I asked about changes in BES (essentially who's e-mail and firm access is being cut) and the answer is, "huh?" They haven't even stopped delivering bagels and fresh fruit to every floor every day. I could check with my ex-gf at Flik to see if the had any changes in K&E's orders, but I think I know the answer.

Look layoffs are definitely coming. But they are fortunately (for K&E - not for the haters) not here yet. That doesn't mean we can relax we need to prepare. Save up sick and personal time, insist on your DC and keep your resume up to date.

When they do come, it doesn't mean to hyperventilate or schadenfreude (some of you are truly miserable people). Remember it's not just NSP and associates; it's mail room people, case and practice assistant and legal assistants who will lose their life savings, go bankrupt, maybe lose their homes, their health care and worse. Maybe some of you freaks ought to start thinking about those educated people you see every day who will suffer most in the layoffs.

Ok - I'm at K&E NY. Like everyone else says, none knows anything or anyone who looks like they got bad news this week. Who knows? Maybe the severance package is so amazing their actually happy and relieved.

But just to be sure. I checked with my buddies in IT. I know them pretty well. I asked about changes in BES (essentially who's e-mail and firm access is being cut) and the answer is, "huh?" They haven't even stopped delivering bagels and fresh fruit to every floor every day. I could check with my ex-gf at Flik to see if the had any changes in K&E's orders, but I think I know the answer.

Look layoffs are definitely coming. But they are fortunately (for K&E - not for the haters) not here yet. That doesn't mean we can relax we need to prepare. Save up sick and personal time, insist on your DC and keep your resume up to date.

When they do come, it doesn't mean to hyperventilate or schadenfreude (some of you are truly miserable people). Remember it's not just NSP and associates; it's mail room people, case and practice assistant and legal assistants who will lose their life savings, go bankrupt, maybe lose their homes, their health care and worse. Maybe some of you freaks ought to start thinking about those educated people you see every day who will suffer most in the layoffs.

144, good post.

It's never a good sign when firm spokespeople have no comment.

148 - Actually, it probably just means that they don't really feel obligated to legitimize insipid, unsubstantiated (and completely false) rumors.

Reading comprehension, friends. It doesn't say that the firm spokesperson has no comment, it says the firm spokesperson has not responded.

Sidley is always a FOLLOWER. Where are the LAYOFFS????

this post is a Kash lobster special with drawn butter from from the stanky place. i.e. : no beef, no truth but lots smelly coochie

there are rumors, folks are watching their backs

120/121 - That's a bit unfair. I met a Kirkland associate at an event once who wasn't a total assclown. There are exceptions to the rule.

100% false -- more K&E hating gratuitous and jealous

The haters are out in force...relax--nobody is entitled to a "job for life" ..every firm (law, advertising, accounting etc...) will need to adjust its workforce to meet diminshed demand..while it may be entertaining and make you feel good for a while, posting here is undoubtedly not the best way to proceed..if some firm is currently not on your most favorite list, vote with your feet--if you even have that opportunity...it is of course never fun to be in the middle of any of the RIFs that may be taking place, but many of the reactions here make it clear that many of the RIFs were undoubtedly at least somewhat driven by the maturity and perceived skill level of those let go....

The haters are out in force...relax--nobody is entitled to a "job for life" ..every firm (law, advertising, accounting etc...) will need to adjust its workforce to meet diminshed demand..while it may be entertaining and make you feel good for a while, posting here is undoubtedly not the best way to proceed..if some firm is currently not on your most favorite list, vote with your feet--if you even have that opportunity...it is of course never fun to be in the middle of any of the RIFs that may be taking place, but many of the reactions here make it clear that many of the RIFs were undoubtedly at least somewhat driven by the maturity and perceived skill level of those let go....

Does K&E matter enough to be hated?

158 comments say yes

How can you say the Grace criminal trial is a "bet the company" case? Grace is ALREADY BANKRUPT. Dow, however, is a different story.

I have no firsthand knowledge about Kirkland. All I know is that, once a firm gets mentioned by ATL, that firm is in for trouble. (Look at Thelen, Heller, Paul Hastings, Latham, and numerous others) Kirkland associates, your time is up. Prepare to suffer.

I don't know about the other offices, but start dates for LA are Nov. 2. While that may be slightly later than last year, it doesn't seem particularly newsworthy.

This is horrible. Best of luck to the Kirkland associates out there.

KKKirkkkland.

Yup. It raelly sucks.

I'm no employment lawyer so feel free to check me if I'm wrong, but as Kirkland went to the PTO structure, I'm pretty sure there's no such thing as accrued vacation or sick days any more. i think with PTO, if you're laid off, you don't get the benefit of any unused days off. Actually, I think the reduction of liability is one reason employers use PTO.

I work in Kirkland's NY office and I have not seen any signs of layoffs at all. Is this ATL story based solely on some anonymous "tipster"? Kash, do you have credible confirmation?

At Kirkland, its business as usual in ALL offices. No signs of layoffs.

Kirkland associates -- Really sorry to hear about all of this. I'm sure this is all false news. It has to be. Try to keep your spirits up.

What severance package are people receiving?

I wonder what morale is like. Can any insiders comment.

I work at K&E (NY) and one of the busiest PE partners works right next to me and I can tell you firsthand that this partner's phone have been D.E.A.D. for the past 4 months. My thoughts is that if THIS partner is slow I can only imagine how slow the other ones, as well as the asocciates, must be.

171 -- morale is fine overall. of course all the layoffs everywhere makes people nervous, but there are no impending sense of layoffs. this story is bunk.

173, how can there be no impending sense of layoffs given the state of affairs as described by 172?

174 - The state of affairs as described by 172 does not constitute layoffs. This only reflects one Partner not doing its job in finding new business. If true, and like the other partners let go in January, his/her time will come as well. I feel the firn continues to be healthy.

have to say that lathamites and ken starrers are both willing to take (more than) one for their teams

It's obvious that all the commentors slamming K&E either got fired from the organization, didn't get an offer from them, or are simply envious of others that work there and still have their jobs. Anyone that works at K&E knows it is a financially conservative firm, and not even close to overleveraged. So for all who have negative comments, if I were you, I'd focus on finding and/or keeping a job. For those of you who are fearful, relax, you'll be fine, and for all that know these tipsters are full of crap, CHEERS TO K&E.

Why has this story not been retracted yet?

5: if u r willing to raw dog in the wrong hole then you still may have a chance... chin up now and blatantly go in there and make it be known!

5: if u r willing to raw dog in the wrong hole then you still may have a chance... chin up now and blatantly go in there and make it be known!

Did K&E withdraw any summer associate offers or just push back start dates?

Anyone know which offices were hit the hardest?

It is funny watching the K&E trolls circle their wagons. See, e.g., 177.

181 - Neither happened.

Someone needs to clear up all of this confusion.

I'm going to KE in the fall. Nearly everyone in my summer class was effing annoying... bunch of pretentious dbags, I'll give all of you that. I'd like to think I'm not a dbag, but who the hell knows. Either way, I will take a job with a bunch of assholes over no job at all. It's something that pays the rent, not a fraternity house, so who cares? Besides, all lawyers are jerks for the most part. Wouldn't be different at another firm anyway.

No follow-up story? No confirmation or retraction?

@ATL: you cannot just toss rumors around like this without substantiating your claims. Please clarify whether start dates have been pushed back.

does anyone have start date information?

K&E is not immune from layoffs. No firm is. Look at Cravath's profits.

Still no retraction/follow-up. Amazing. I work in the K&E Chicago office, and no one there has heard of any associate layoffs. And it isn't due to confidentiality agreements. There just haven't been any. The corporate guys may be leaving every day at 3pm, but the folks in restructuring are leaving closer to 3am. And everyone else (litigation, IP) leaves somewhere in the middle. Seems to be working for now.