Impending Layoff Watch: Sidley Austin Associates, ‘Beware The Last Business Day Before The Ides of March’
Fun fact: every month has an ides. Most months, it’s on the 13th. Not March though.
Less fun fact: Sidley Austin is most likely going to lay off a significant number of associates on Friday, March 13th.
People have been sending in tips about layoffs at Sidley for well over two weeks. But now, all of our information seems to be coalescing around Friday as the big day. While the firm has not responded to our inquires, we now have what has become the gold standard of impending layoff information: the conference room schedule for Friday.
Chuck Douglas (managing partner) has reserved all of the biggest conference rooms in the Chicago office (a total of 6) for this Friday, March 13th, from 6am - 6pm. There are four reserved on the 37th floor and two reserved on the 38th floor. We have heard that conference rooms have also been reserved in the New York office. Associates are talking pretty openly about the impending layoffs. Secretaries have not had their reviews and their salaries have not increased. Sidley told associates in December that a decision would be made as to whether or not to freeze salaries at the end of the first quarter, which is fast approaching.
We at Above the Law have been told to expect about 10% of associates — associates, not total attorneys — to be cut. Staff will be fired as well, but we haven’t heard any numbers on them.
Update (12:05 PM): Or the layoffs could start today. We are receiving reports that layoffs have already started in London and D.C. In London, it looks like 17 lawyers, accounting for 21% of the total lawyers over there, have started redundancy consultation. Four months is what they are looking at for severance.
Update (12:42): And now we’re getting reports that layoffs are happening in New York. 2nd years in corporate are particularly sad right now. No word on Chicago yet.
More details, about the severance package and incoming first years after the jump.
As many already know, Sidley postponed the start dates for first year attorneys. Yesterday, we wrote a post on the start date push-back trend among law firms. Many firms have pushed back their start dates for new associates late into the fall and even into 2010. However, we asked firms to go ahead and make up their minds about start dates already. We wrote:
So, 3Ls, don’t sign leases in your new city just yet. And firms, if you plan to push back start dates for incoming associates, bite the bullet and do it. And feel free to send the memo our way while you’re at it (tips@abovethelaw.com).
Hours after the post went up, incoming Sidley Austiners received a memo from the firm pushing the start dates back to November. Here’s an excerpt:
We are writing to inform you of a change to the start dates for our new associates starting in the fall of 2009. The firm will offer start dates of either Monday, November 2 or Monday, November 16. These dates will be applicable to associates starting this fall in any of Sidley’s U.S. offices. We will contact you in the coming weeks with further information regarding your specific start date….We hope that this notice comes to you early enough so you can adjust your fall plans. We look forward to having this talented class of future attorneys join us in the fall.
With incoming associates already pushed back, other tipsters have been focusing on the potential severance payments for Sidley’s soon-to-be-former associates:
Partners have been overheard discussing a six month severance package. Since there have been rumors of layoffs in Kirkland’s Chicago office this Friday with a six month severance package and Sidley makes every effort to keep pace with Kirkland office the best they can, it is likely the two firms coordinated efforts.
It’s already snowing in Chicago today. But there is another kind of storm coming tomorrow.
(254) 
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first!!!!!!!!!
In Chicago right now -- pretty nice town...but i'd have no incentive to move/visit/stay here other than business. Good luck to all.
Has anybody heard of this firm?
3-Are you fucking serious???
I tea-bag people named Chuck on a regular basis.
1800 lawyers....hope the blade is sharp...that's alot of necks to saw through...
3: Certainly not the Obamas.
Get out the whetstone. It appears that we will be at Sidley tomorrow giving associates their severance.
Simply Awesome
Wow, a gratuitous, unsubstantiated bash against Kirkland in a Sidley post? I couldn't imagine.
@4 Not three here, but I have also never heard of "Sidley" nor have I heard of a place called "Chicago".
Of course the firm is starting today. What firm would choose Friday the 13th as the day to ax associates and staff? It's definitely starting today.
Not employed at this firm.
10 - The Kirkland "bash" is from the tipster, not Elie. It is in the block quote.
And it isn't really a slam. It is just saying that Sidley tries to "keep up" with Kirkland (which is really a compliment to K&E).
Loyola 2L, please come back and show us the way.
*lights candle*
Associates looking for 4 months? Smells like someone's trying to manage expectations.
Are they going to Latham (cut by half) their first years?
Associates looking for 4 months? Smells like someone's trying to manage expectations.
severance won't amount to sidley squat.
Any word about the next round of layoffs at Latham?
I can (unfortunately) confirm layoffs started today in NY. We got four months severance. We can keep going into the office or not -- it's up to us.
20, so they didn't demand you be out by Sunday evening? Sounds like they're treating you better than some places!
which groups in NY were hit? how many total? i was under impression bulk of layoffs would be specific practice groups in NY corporate, and all over the place in Chicago and LA...
#20:
Why would you go into the office? You're getting paid for 4 months one way or the other, why work?
@18 Punny, very punny.
I think 20's point is that sidley is not forcing people to pack up their stuff and "be gone" at any point- like other firms have- and instead they can still attempt to recover from this from the confines of their office...
4 months is OK, but its not latham...
23: point is they can pretend they still have a job for purposes of pesenting themselves to other prospective employers. This used to be a big deal when getting fired was viewed as something to be shamed of but these days you say layoff and everyone knows the deal.
Which groups affected??
So, should I continue to apply for summer associate positions?
Alabama 2L
LSAT 151
I'm just saying it's tacky to can people on Friday and demand they be gone by Sunday. Who does that?
Who I ask you who?
Having access to the office is huge. Not to work, but to network with partners who have connections with clients that may be hiring. It's a lot easier if you can meet them in the office, rather than having to invite them for coffee because your ID was shut off.
Are there law schools in ' Bama?
lol
27,
You're already in law school. Your LSAT score is about as relevant as your maternal grandmother's lung capacity.
32,
so what are you trying to say?
S&C March 27th?
What's an Alabama?
S&C March 27th?
2L here. I'm going to Latham for their HUGE severance package.
Already started in NY office all levels
Sidley is one of the largest firms in the world, I'm sure everyone in the legal field has heard of them. They should be happy that they have had a job for this long. The market has been bad for a while. Look at all the other layoffs that have happened last year in other firms and around the world. I heard layoffs were going to start Jan. 1, but as you all know they did not. It was just a matter of time.
Sidley is one of the largest firms in the world, I'm sure everyone in the legal field has heard of them. They should be happy that they have had a job for this long. The market has been bad for a while. Look at all the other layoffs that have happened last year in other firms and around the world. I heard layoffs were going to start Jan. 1, but as you all know they did not. It was just a matter of time.
Sidley is one of the largest firms in the world, I'm sure everyone in the legal field has heard of them. They should be happy that they have had a job for this long. The market has been bad for a while. Look at all the other layoffs that have happened last year in other firms and around the world. I heard layoffs were going to start Jan. 1, but as you all know they did not. It was just a matter of time.
SIDLEY FALLS
QUINN REMAINS
30 - yes, in fact there are 3 law schools in the state of Alabama:
U of Alabama
Faulkner University
Samford University
30 - yes, in fact there are 3 law schools in the state of Alabama:
U of Alabama
Faulkner University
Samford University
SIDLEY FALLS
QUINN REMAINS GUY IS STILL A D-BAG
Where is Tyrone Johnson and his reggae band? I loved that schtick.
Chicago-based firms fall.
Skadden remains.
33,
I'm trying to say that if (s)he thinks your LSAT score still matters after you're admitted to law school, (s)he had better think again because it doesn't. Since (s)he posted it, I assumed that meant (s)he thinks it's of something other than purely historical interest.
If it's just a lark, well, go ahead and post your LSAT score anonymously on a comments section, no harm done. But for God's sake don't mention it in a job application, your letter will get passed around as a joke,
32 = racist
http://www.abovethelaw.com/2008/11/racist_breathalyzer.php
49,
Cool! No one's ever called me racist on ATL before. Now I feel I am truly one of you. :)
- 32/48
Balls.
4 months severance, pretty good, and the choice of coming in or not is a nice touch too (can tell potential employers and recruiters you're still with the firm)
At those saying that 2 months severance is very close to a market standard -- 3, 4 and 6 months does not average out to be market standard.
Anything hear anything about anyone being told in Chicago yet? I am in my office with the door locked.*
* Haha.
Fifty-first!!!!!! :)
I was an associate at Sidley 6 years ago, and when my colleague was laid off, he was given six months' severance plus very helpful outplacement services. Moreover, his partner admitted it was an economic layoff---at a time when no firm dared to admit it! That was very classy of Sidley. I have since lateraled over to another firm, which recently laid me off and treated me like crap.
Very different experience, but that was then, and this is now. I hope Sidley steps up and treats its associates with class, just like they did in 2003. Obviously, Sidley associates will care how generous the severance package will be, but don't forget that the way they deliver the message deserves a lot of attention too. For example, are those being laid off "valuable contributors" like some other firms have phrased it? Or have they engaged in massive stealth layoffs under the guise of performance-related?
JONES DAY REMAINS!!
48 an idiot who doesn't realize that posting "151 LSAT'" is clearly someone's idea of flame.
29 -- Great point
They should lay off their bitchy insurance partner
I guess Barack and Michelle left at the right time!
So, Sidley Offed Him is having layoffs, eh? Not unexpected.
This is absurd. The Dow is up for the third day in a row. The recession is well behind us.
Wake me up when this hits the v5!
54 -- great point.
Haha, 62, I hope you're a slendor large-breasted female, with a great smile, because I love you
This is a very Latham thing to do.
Something tells me that @32 is racist.
Did anybody get an RSS feed from this site "Now This a Cover Letter"?
Sidley going Latham on ya'lls ass.
57,
Please pardon my idiocy. I'm unworthy to lick your spittle. Kindly give me instructions on how to compensate your time spent on reading my comment.
- 48
Sidley has been a joke in Chicago and Cleveland since the late 90's. What the problem is?
Sidley conducted stealth layoffs too, in December I believe.
It's a good firm, but as the post points out, Sidley and Kirkland act together usually. They're a follower, not a leader.
There's about 1000 associates at Sidley, maybe more...so 10% is around 100 lawyers. That's a lot of people...and it doesn't count staff, who would figure to suffer around a 10% cut too. Ouch.
This is in addition to months of "stealth" layoffs at Sidley's New York office, especially within groups containing numerous associates with annual billables of under 1400 hours.
Much has been said about Sidley's reliance on a reputation for being "friendly" in its marketing to new recruits; hence its sharp vested interest in conducting stealth layoffs for as long as possible.
However, little has been said about the impact of public layoffs on the firm's bargaining position with clients, which gives Sidley further incentive to avoid this kind of public downsizing.
Clients new and old will smell weakness, especially as those clients are themselves sniffing desperately for any scent of savings. And they will consequently act to reduce Sidley's price-tag, thereby further reducing Sidley's profits, thereby providing partners with pressure to continue stealth layoffs.
This is neither an end nor a beginning, but a middle.
--An Idle Analyst
Duane Morris LLP Remains!
This is all you need to know (from the Sidley website):
Sidley’s Structured Finance and Securitization practice is one of the largest and most experienced in the world. Now numbering more than 260 worldwide...
Also, it looks like Hong Kong Sidley laid off 6 attorneys, not sure if all of them are associates.
I feel terrible for everyone being laid off and had a scare myself this week. However, why is it that with every comment re Quinn remaining I root for them to fail? hmmmmm.....
I feel terrible for everyone being laid off and had a scare myself this week. However, why is it that with every comment re Quinn remaining I root for them to fail? hmmmmm.....
76 - some are legal assistants
75 is DEAD on. Sidley was well prepared to weather this storm, but for that one little factoid: they kicked some major ass in Structured Finance and Securitization and now have to slim down the ranks.
its a fantastic place to work (i lateraled out 2 years ago, and regret it...) and I think the accusations of stealth layoffs are complete bullshit. theyre doing what they have to do and it sucks.
The ship be sinking...
3500 sq ft and a wife, bitches!
27 -- If you're going to boast about an LSAT score, at least make it one worth boasting about.
~~ Signed, V5 Associate who scored 175 on MBE
Is Paul Weiss conducting stealth layoffis today?
Is Paul Weiss conducting stealth layoffis today?
Peter Francis Geraci Remains!
paul weiss has been quietly slimming down its less than stellar corporate dept for months now... old news.
How is Sidley Dallas impacted?
Don't they have trains in Chicago? Couldn't some fat partner just announce who is getting fired while on the El?
Fat CLMs don't quit.
I had an impacted tooth once.
640 sq. ft in a real city and NO wife!
Are specific practice groups targeted, or are the layoffs across the board? (At Sidley)
Sidley also did stealth layoffs in LA the past couple months. At least 5 people I know of
Are specific practice groups targeted, or are the layoffs across the board? (At Sidley)
3 here.
So Sidley's a law firm in Chicago? Got it now. Thanks for the tips!!!
82's wife is the size of Dallas.
From what I know as a former employee of Sidley, no layoffs at the Chicago office were done in December. It was only a matter of time before cutbacks were done. All LARGE FIRMS are cutting back.
Sidley also did stealth layoffs in LA the past couple months. At least 5 people I know of
The NY office layoffs are extensive. There will be sections that are just empty after the severance period expires. Everyone is shocked.
I thought they merged with Locke Lord.
Sidley did stealth layoffs in DC too back in December. Several people were let go.
96- that would explain the need for a McMansion in some remote exurb.
99-Which groups?
Simply Awful
99- Which groups?
Wow, this is unbelievable. Where will all these laid off lawyers find new work?
ATL should put together a trip comprised of laid off associates to S. Am, Africa or somewhere else where it's cheap...
Et tu, Sidley?
Big ups for all firms which REMAIN
108, you probably won't remain for long. Don't you think your bosses realize that you post here all day long every day?
Can anyone at K&E's chicago office speak to the rumored layoffs there? I am a K&E chicago associate and have heard nothing.
I wish my wife was the size of a city, but alas, she is not.
The whole structure of the world of big law practice and law education is built on bubbles. Law education are not worth a fraction of what people are paying for them, law professors are wasting huge amount of time and resource researching bullshit stuff that nobody ever cares about. Their research adds no value to the wealth of human knowledge. Law school teaches people stupid, worthless shits like bluebooking, what a f*cking joke.
The legal profession needs a complete makeover. Billing rates should be reduced; leverage must be reduced, associate pay and work-hours must be reduced. All of these reductions should be corresponded by a substantial reduction in the cost of obtaining a legal education, and perhaps shortening of the JD program to 2 years, perhaps with a mandatory clerking/internship requirement instead of the worthless third year.
96: and that's the way 82 likes it
110, it's ATL's policy to reprint rumors about Kirkland layoffs every Friday. See the last two weeks. This would be three in a row. And, so far, nothing.
That's the beauty of bringing a personal laptop to work
Sidley NY is terrible. Even with the layoffs that place will still be filled with incompetent buffoons.
They're coming, 110. Don't know a specific date, but definitely this month.
Sidley's full of douchebags. My favorite is the partner in San Francisco who cleared $15M in the lottery and still goes to work.
I ordered a Duane Morris once at a bar. It's considered a "chick" drink, but I don't mind being caught drinking one.
Any updates on associates in DC? Are you being told by your group or by management?
Why is everyone from the south named Cletus, Enis, or Goatford?
Laid off associates should form new law firms that will specialize in suing existing large law firms for discrimination.
Every current and former Biglaw associate knows that rampant discrimination is occurring at these law firms.
We must capitalize on the opportunities created by these layoffs to make these firms pay for their current and past misdeeds.
87- What is this garbage about corporate layoffs at Paul Weiss? Profits are up. Stop spreading lies or provide some evidence.
87- What is this garbage about corporate layoffs at Paul Weiss? Profits are up. Stop spreading lies or provide some evidence.
87- What is this garbage about corporate layoffs at Paul Weiss? Profits are up. Stop spreading lies or provide some evidence.
87- What is this garbage about corporate layoffs at Paul Weiss? Profits are up. Stop spreading lies or provide some evidence.
Kirkland rumor this week - associates on Friday and staff on Monday. No ATL viewing on firm internet. No talking to press.
87- What is this garbage about corporate layoffs at Paul Weiss? Profits are up. Stop spreading lies or provide some evidence.
123- no idea whats going down at paul weiss, but i can tell you that Sidleys profits and revenue were up, and, well, here we are.
Quinn Remains is a 1L at ASU who hopes to get a call back from them in fall OCI
87- What is this garbage about corporate layoffs at Paul Weiss? Profits are up. Stop spreading lies or provide some evidence.
112 - sounds like you went to some crappy law school like Villanova and are now an ambulance chaser or doing routine immigration work.
*fingers crossed*
117, what kind of numbers are we talking? Across all classes and offices? Thanks.
132 - Wrong, I went to Stanford and have a good offer in hand, at lease for now, of course. Those ambulance chasers or immigration lawyers may in fact do better than me because they have no debt. What a joke.
112, agree especially on the 3rd year. That extra 50K in debt principal, and one year of lost earnings or of not gaining practical experience, is a grievous albatross around a lawyer's neck. Let the law schools just admit even more foreign LLM's to do nothing, drink up the booze at events, give long winded diatribes on their "experience" when called on, and bring big bags of cash from their firms.
87- What is this garbage about corporate layoffs at Paul Weiss? Profits are up. Stop spreading lies or provide some evidence.
87- What is this garbage about corporate layoffs at Paul Weiss? Profits are up. Stop spreading lies or provide some evidence.
milbank will be next. mark this post.
What's this I hear about Paul Weiss corporate layoffs?
87- What is this garbage about corporate layoffs at Paul Weiss? Profits are up. Stop spreading lies or provide some evidence.
speaking of Chicago firms, any rumors on status of second round of layoffs at Mayer Brown?
87- What is this garbage about corporate layoffs at Paul Weiss? Profits are up. Stop spreading lies or provide some evidence.
87- What is this garbage about corporate layoffs at Paul Weiss? Profits are up. Stop spreading lies or provide some evidence.
87- What is this garbage about corporate layoffs at Paul Weiss? Profits are up. Stop spreading lies or provide some evidence.
aside from top firms like Cleary, Weil, maybe Sullivan and Skadden, every single firm will have to do this.
Kirkland, Milbank, Willkie, OMM, Ropes, Akin, Cahill... any week now.
142, the rumor is they are coming.
136,
I actually love the LLMs - I hunt for classes that are LLM heavy because their weak grip on legal principles is only overshadowed by their complete inability to put forth thoughts in English. Also, getting them to say words with the letters "r" and "s" is a favorite past time of most of the kids I know.
122- Yes, def discrimination -- that is discriminations against hard-working male Caucasions
136,
I actually love the LLMs - I hunt for classes that are LLM heavy because their weak grip on legal principles is only overshadowed by their complete inability to put forth thoughts in English. Also, getting them to say words with the letters "r" and "s" is a favorite past time of most of the kids I know.
136,
I actually love the LLMs - I hunt for classes that are LLM heavy because their weak grip on legal principles is only overshadowed by their complete inability to put forth thoughts in English. Also, getting them to say words with the letters "r" and "s" is a favorite past time of most of the kids I know.
73 here:
Regarding stealth layoffs:
It is surprising that Above the Law has never once asked a firm, when it has deceptively engaged in stealth layoff under the guise of a performance termination, the following:
"So have you initiated a search for a replacement who will meet your performance expectation? The marketplace is flooded with out of work lawyers, some of whom surely must meet your performance expectations. What's your expected time of arrival for the replacement attorney?"
A firm's inability to answer on point is confirmation that the termination was, in fact, a stealth layoff. Above the Law should start employing this question to sniff out the real extent of stealth layoffs. And to encourage firms to respond to queries, Above the Law should adopt the following policy: stealth layoff accusations, if not addressed by the firm once given opportunity to do so, will be treated as true.
A chart, updated daily, should be available via a permanent link at the top of ATL's homepage, containing total layoffs, stealth and announced, for each firm.
It is time to bring more honesty and greater transparency to the legal workplace.
You can always send relevant ideas and information to legaltransparency at gmail.com, as well.
52, being able to represent yourself as still a sidley attorney is kinda useless when everyone knows you got laid off.
the only difference is that you can't file for unemployment until you are actually gone. so that's about $2000/mo sidley attorneys are losing out per month.
142, the rumor is they are coming.
The Los Angeles office last week fired their entire Williams lea copy services department. Times must be real tough when a firm does that!
But Quinn remains and is busy in litigation I might add.
112, if you're a law student or clerk ("good offer in hand, at lease [sic] for now", why do you think that you have any expertise at all on that subject? You don't, and no one gives a fuck what you think.
The Los Angeles office last week fired their entire Williams lea copy services department. Times must be real tough when a firm does that!
But Quinn remains and is busy in litigation I might add.
156 - I am speaking about such subject merely because I am smart and I can. If you don't agree with me, why don't you go outside and play high and go fuck yourself?
136/151: Pretty cruel stuff... but so true. Foreign LL.M program is such a scam. But dozens of them get BigLaw jobs. I especially find amusing their claim to have "years of experience" and that they're much more valuable than incoming first years -- what a joke!
Just curious, which schools did you go to?
Second year associate at Milbank here: we have had no work for months! Word is that the firm wants to do one MASSIVE layoff soon.
It is the end of all things.
What about Winston?
146 - the question is not which firms will or won't lay off attorneys, at some level everybody will with very few exceptions.
the real question is which firms will ruin the careers of young attorneys by laying them off before they've had 2 full years of experience.
Quinn Remain- Will you please shut the fuck up? What kind of a clown brings a personal laptop to work to visit a blog? My guess, six months- Quinn remains, you are living with your mommy.
Guys, relax. The recession is over and the Dow is on its way up. Jobs for everyone!
Sidley falls.
Barney....is awesome!!!
one hundred and sixth seventh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
162: What about them?
164 - Get your knee pads and blow.
It's Quinn Remains!
164, shut up. Quinn Remains is one of the best ATL shticks in months.
*high fives 169*
discriminations against hard-working male Caucasions
__________________________________________
I've never encountered one of these storied creatures--where can they be found?
Also, so sorry to hear about the "discriminations."
This new Barney shtick has potential. Best not screw it up.
Sidley is laying off as we speak, in LA I believe. Managing partner is sending emails and HR people are going down the halls. Know someone who just recieved an email to go to the partner's office.
112 - You think the legal profession needs to be restructured? That's funny. You obviously chose this profession because you can make the big bucks.
Four reserved conference rooms? Is Sidley doing layoffs a la American Idol "Hollywood Week" style? The associates in two of the rooms keep their jobs and the associates in the other two rooms are 'going home'.
...what a feeling of exuberance for the people in the safe rooms when the Managing Partner walks in (Randy style - with a swagger) and says, "We have had to make some tough decisions and we have to let some good people go. This big firm lifestyle isn't for everyone. I'm sorry, guys, but ............ you guys are SAFE!!!!!!"
Layoffs are today. They pulled the switcheroo!
Where is Partner Emeritus on this thread?
NUMBERS people: im hearing its gonna be roughly 100 attorneys let go today, give or take.
where are these ppl located? Majority in NY? Cap mkts?
82 must have sold his "lexis"
136- I bet you are incapable of speaking any foreign languages.
136- I bet you are incapable of speaking any foreign languages.
170,
I agree, I think the QUINN REMAINS dude is hilarious. And people can hate on him, but in the end....he will REMAIN.
Come on--will somebody, anybody, comment on what's really going on in NY. Confirmed report or even rumors of layoffs, groups, years... I'm dying here.
I know for sure that 30 staff from NY are getting let go. Atty's are being let go today and into tomorrow.
Why does someone keep bragging about the size of their house/wife? I don't get it.
185--Any idea why they're doing it over 2 days? Why not just get it over with?
6 months serverance is INCREDIBLE!
Wish Akin Gump would do that!
its all being done today, in the NY office. i think chicago is tomorrow, simply bec i havent heard anything on here about anyone in chicago getting axed- and we all know chi will have to bear some of this.
i am hearing its mainly the likely suspects in New York: securitization, M&A, real estate, and capital markets groups- all of whom have been pretty slow the past few months.
146 - subtle Ropes troll.
Rumors are 4 months, not six.
People are getting laid-off today in the Chicago office.
The LSAT score was a joke. You can't get in to 'Bama with a 151.
don't eat the yellow snow!
187 - I am not sure why they are handling it in this matter. I think it might have to do with the sheer amount of people. As I hear more i'll post.
hey 190 - why would someone from Ropes troll and suggest that their firm should be next in line for layoffs?
Dumbass.
I like Alabama 2L more than T10 1L.
-
How many executed in Chicago?
I like Alabama 2L more than T10 1L.
-
How many executed in Chicago?
Any updates on LA?
186 - because a big house and a big wife are prestigious - only a poor man lives in a small house with an underfed wife
62: Sell the rallies... the stock market will keep on going down as soon as the shorts get finished covering...
word is that there are layoffs going on in LA as we speak, at least relatively new associates getting called to managing partners office or conference room.
At least 6 that I know of, by name, in LA.
Is the bloodletting over in NY?
181, 182, 136 does speak a foreign language and admires foreigners' efforts to learn about U.S. law in English. That wasn't me with the ugly-american bit mocking people's pronounciation.
Nonetheless I will stand by my factual allegations that foreign LLMs 1. talk a lot of irrelevant and self-aggrandizing nonesense in class 2. organize themselves as a locust-like, socially-exclusive swarm laying waste to entire appetizer spreads and boxes of Beringer at school events within minutes, and 3. are admitted primarily because they or their benefactors are willing to pay a massive tuition premium. I'm certain that can organize a raft of supporting affidavits on this board if necessary.
Any word re: Sidley DC?
201 is correct.
Until he isn't.
You never know where the bottom is (was) until you are far out of it.
152, I also think prosecutors could get more convictions if they asked defendants "didn't you commit the crime? remember, you're under oath so you have to admit to it."
Seriously, you can't think of ways to dodge your proposed investigation? You really think that'll prove anything? Firms will just say they're not going to publicly announce hiring/staffing plans at this time, or that it's purely an internal matter. There's a dozen ways to answer your question without admitting anything.
118: "Sidley's full of douchebags. My favorite is the partner in San Francisco who cleared $15M in the lottery and still goes to work."
I've worked with that guy too. Sometimes he's friendly and other time he's fucking insane. EIther way, he should be chilling out and not proofreading reams of public finance docs for 60-80 hrs per week.
Any first years cut?
Any info available on which groups were doing stealth layoffs vs. which groups are doing the more public layoffs now?
I know of Securitization and Real Estate...
73/152 nailed it.
Another key reason why firms love to spin layoffs as performance-based: BigLaw partners' Big Egos.
Partners want to save face. They want to focus the blame on associates not billing enough, rather than on partners' inability to bring in enough work to keep people busy. Unless the firm is heavily staked on an industry that has blown up (eg, DPW hurting b/c of Wall Street meltdown), the best firms tend to have a lot of work even in downturns.
Biglaw partners don't want to admit that they are lagging right now because they are a second-rate firm that can do OK in a boom, but can't keep up when hard times cut fluff work and spur a "flight to quality".
Oh, and partners love to tout their high performance standards when they fire in a downturn -- but try getting them to admit that they lowered their vaunted standards when they hired during the boom.
136/205:
There is some truth in what you say about foreign LLMs, but I think it is unfair for you to generalize (as you have) in such a way to suggest that they are all like that.
At least at HLS, I think there is some ridiculous quota system (based on freaking nationality!) for the LLMs - so it is a lot easier to get in if you are from certain countries. From what I can tell, it is actually really tough if you are from the UK or Australia, etc because the top law students there are really bright and their quota is not huge. I might add that these kids tend to do really well in the exams (at HLS, JDs and LLMs are put on the same curve) and get Biglaw jobs. Now that I am working, at least my firm, I find that some of these types are great senior associates and partners to work with (extremely competent, patient with explanations and pleasant/funny to work with). To be honest, besides the more British accent, there is no way you could tell that they were "foreign LLMs".
FWIW, I was a Harvard JD and am now a corporate associate at a V5 firm in NY.
The Harvard Club of Chicago – “Brown Bag Lunch”
Hosted by
Charles Douglas, Chairman, Management Committee, Sidley Austin LLP
and
James Keane, President, Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago
Friday, March 13, 2009 at Noon
(RSVP by March 6, 2009)
Sidley Austin LLP
One South Dearborn, Chicago
The Harvard Club of Chicago invites you to our second “Brown Bag Lunch,” an informal lunch series designed to give Decade Group Members and other alumni an occasion to discuss areas of professional interest with experienced alumni in those fields. On March 13, Charles Douglas and James Keane will lead a discussion on careers in law and the great variety of fields open to professionals with a legal background including non-profit.
Quinn_Remains : i am assuming that you received a copyright license to use that jpeg on this site. Quinn remains...clueless. And dont bother blabbering about some argument for fair use. thats horsecrap.
Do any of you whining cry babies with your undeserved six-figure salaries and bonuses even give a thought to the staff members of these firms who are getting laid off? Women (and that's mainly who they are) in their 40s, 50s and 60s getting laid off -- most of whom are living paycheck to paycheck or close to it -- many of whom are the sole providers of health insurance for their families -- many of whom have been with their firms for years, even decades. Hey, you spoiled brats, someone's mother is getting laid off -- a single mother with children, a mother who is sole support for her kids who are in college. Wake the **** up and be grateful you have a good education and are young enough to survive all of this. Every day, I sit at my desk waiting to hear if I'm the next one to go -- my friend was just laid off from this firm after more than 20 years here. So, try thinking about someone else for a change -- someone much less fortunate -- it will do your soul some good.
"The LSAT score was a joke. You can't get in to 'Bama with a 151. "
too high?
No one got layed off so far in Chicago---trust I KNOW!!!!
I'm with you, 217, but not many of us here feel that way. For weeks I've been reading posts from associates and law students demanding the firing of support staff in lieu of associates. I wish the best to you and all others similarly situated. It won't be easy for 40+ year old secretaries to find comparable work even if the economy improves one day.
219, you're wrong - there have been lay-offs in Chicago. I've heard there might be a memo around 4pm central.
Drinker Biddle has let go 3 attorneys I know of in Chicago office have until June to leave and 3 staff members were let go last friday..... no one reports... no memos come out people just quietly dissappear.
217- I agree- I've worked in many areas of law firms (including as an attorney) and have never seen a whinier bunch of people (sure, being an attorney sucks, quite a lot, but so do lots of other jobs that don't pay $160,000 to start). It is because many associates went straight from undergrad to law school and never had to be in a "staff" position. I was embarassed to be an associate when I saw the way my colleagues treated secretaries and other people upon whom they relied to get their jobs done. Trust me, there are those of us out here who feel worse for you and your fellow employees than for the junior associates who WILL recover in time. (Really, I can say this with little guilt because it is only the spoiled rich kids who would dare dare that support staff should be fired to save associate jobs- these are the kids who can crawl home to daddy)
I hope the staff out there know there ARE attorneys out there who value you and are sick that you are victims of the moronic set up of the legal industry without having had the real benefits.
216
What would give you that idea?
Thank you 217 for putting everything in perspective. Best of luck on making it through!
215 - the Friday lunch with Sidley's chairman was canceled. Source: Harvard Club website.
215 - the Friday lunch with Sidley's chairman was canceled. Source: Harvard Club website.
219 is unfortunately wrong. I'm there, and I know of several laid off associates and staff in Chicago. Hadn't heard about the memo, but we'll see.
Whats the bottom line in NY?
The memos come out those being let go got let go.
what is the latest in Chicago?
Memo is out - 89 associates/staff attorneys in US and 140 staff were told their jobs were "eliminated".
Lets see the memo.
what is the latest in Chicago?
Show me the money! (I mean memo)
Leaving foreign attorneys off the memo so as not to make the numbers look as bad in comparison? Classy. Almost as classy as firing people on maternity leave, which they did too.
There are some very mean spirited people on this site.
Kash is saving a lot of K&E associates by keeping them awake every night. More time to bill!
Good luck to everyone looking for work. You'll pull through.
217/ 220, stop with this crap
Support staff are mostly nice people, and some are even hard working and articulate, and of course we're all human. But the reality is that the old secretary doesn't have $100k+ in loans, did not waste time and money to study for and take the LSAT, did not bust their ass through exams and papers for 3 yrs (of law school) destroying their eyesight in the process and did not kill his/ her self for 2+ months studying for the frickin bar. So, again, the primary concern is and should be about the associates getting laid off. If this was simply about partners getting fatter, it would be another story. But you have lawyers -- with astronomical school debt and families, not too mention that these are some of the most capable individuals in the country and our most valuable resource -- sitting around and rotting away, while BO pushes his socialist agenda
239--
No one told your dumb a$$ to take on all that debt.
Sincerely,
Debt Free Citizens for Fiscal and Personal Responsibility
236, why would an attorney on maternaty leave not get laid off when dozens of other associates, who are actually billing and ready to take on more work, are laid off?
Sounds like 239 just realized that getting that penis enlargement would have been cheaper than 3 years of law school.
241 - dumbass, because it's her RIGHT to take time off for maternity leave. you cant expect a woman to be able to bill hours the day after she has a baby.
243--
At every firm I've been to, it seems that female attorneys take off 6 months for maternity leave. Sounds a bit excessive to me. Esp. when they make enough money to afford decent child care.
Tribune has the memo
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-sidley-austin-layoffs-mar12,0,207360.story
The comments about maternity leave are beyond revolting -
239, fuck off. The reality is the "old secretary" is more likely to wind up dumpster diving to survive. The "old secretaries" aren't being given fat severance payments, have never received fat salaries or bonuses, and if they get a retirement contribution at all, it's likely $5,000 or $6,000 per year. Do you think in a few months or years the "old secretaries" are going to land high-paying jobs?
Also? If attending law school "destroyed your eyesight," you'd better get to an opthalmalogist because you have far bigger issues.
It is precisely people like you who give the profession a bad name.
241 and 244, you disgusted me! Why don't you work until the date you go into labor and then come back in six months first, then come back here and discuss how excessive you think it is.
248 Grow some ovaries. I came back after three months. Spoiled brat. Was it easy, no, but I did what I had to do. BTW, women have been giving birth since the dawn of time, what makes you so special?
New moms who are support staffers generally must return to work in 6 weeks. Now, that's brutal.
248, considering that the inflated "industry standard" of paid maternity leave is only four months, yes six months is a bit excessive.
Furthermore, new mothers are entitled to take as much leave as they want. The difference is that they shouldn't get paid for half a year of earning nothing for their employer. They are free to go on unpaid maternity leave for a year if that's how long it takes for them to recover. Save some money first, instead of having the rest of the employees pay for your lifestyle choice.
Unpaid leave is also how working mothers have been dealing with the situation since the beginning of time, so cry me a river that you don't get a fat paycheck for doing nothing work-related.
247: you fuck off, near sighted moron, quitting sucking cock and jerking your little penis off
@239 - For a highly educated person as yourself - you are an idiot! There is a reason why you are paid a 6 figure base salary and most support staff are hourly workers. As the bonuses which you receive are 5+ figures, a staff bonus is really good when they can buy a monthly pass and have a decent dinner.
It is unfortunate for anyone to get laid off, attorney or not. Be human, take a step back and look at the overall picture - attorneys do get paid well for their efforts - if you aren't - time for you to bill more time or find something fulfilling for your life.
"Kirkland rumor this week - associates on Friday and staff on Monday. No ATL viewing on firm internet. No talking to press. " (127)
Has anyone heard any more about this rumor?