Blank Rome, Layoffs, Start Dates, Summer Associates

Nationwide Layoff Watch: Blank Rome Cuts 79

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It’s one of those days. We told you that we expected Blank Rome layoffs to come today. And here they come.

Blank Rome just confirmed that it has laid off 79 people: 27 associates, 52 staff.

And that’s not all. The firm is pushing back start dates for incoming first year associates until “at least” January 2010. No word on whether there will be any kind of extra money for those not-quite-yet first years.

But wait, there’s more. Blank Rome will also be scaling back its 2009 summer program from ten weeks to six.

I know that Friday the 13th is supposed to be a bad luck day, but honestly somebody needs to make a Saw-style movie about Thursday the 12th.

Read the full statement after the jump.


BLANK ROME — STATEMENT — LAYOFFS

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Global economic conditions continue to affect businesses in all sectors of the economy. As we face these unprecedented challenges, Blank Rome remains focused on new and innovative ways to provide value and excellent service to our clients. As a result, our core business is, and remains, strong.

The Firm’s leadership recently engaged in a comprehensive review of our staffing levels. This review led us to conclude, regrettably, that further adjustments to our associate and staff complements were necessary. Specifically, we have reduced our complement of associates by 27 people and our staff complement by 52 people. In addition, the Firm has also determined that our Summer Associate program for 2009 should be reduced from ten to six weeks, and that the starting date for our Fall associates should be deferred until at least January 2010.

We recognize the effect these actions will have on the individuals and their families, as well as our Firm. Although these types of decisions are difficult, we are confident that our actions this week were prudent, and have been made in the best interest of Blank Rome, our lawyers and staff, and our clients.

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