suck it!!

1st, make it stop...

Keeping it honest, at least

No end in sight.

This is Sparta!

damn, i was #2, not 1. the "suck it" was in place of first, not to demean those laid off.

The sink be shipping.

The sink be shipping.

that. just. happened.

This sucks SO bad. Sorry to those affected at Orrick. NO one is safe in this economy.

Have those that have been laid off already been notified? Also, I think that Orrick will conduct another round of performance based layoffs in the next two months or so, as reviews for many associates will be completed by then.

Has anyone else noticed that Orrick's NYC address is 666 Fifth Ave.? The mark of the beast is upon them.

BOMBO CLATH!!! A WA A GUAN MAN!!

www.acc.com (the association of corporate counsel) lists current job openings for in-house counsel.

what a bunch of hornswaggling douchecanoes

didn't these guy START the raises oh-so-long-ago?

Taking advice on wtf I should do with myself between the end of July and JANUARY.

that. just. happened.

Orrick associates and staff will look up and shout "Save us!"... And I'll whisper "No."

Two 3L’s from Seton Hall are driving along the Jersey Turnpike towards Manhattan. The woman in the car looks up from reading the latest Vault Rankings as the man slows the car down.
3L Woman: “What are you doing?”
3L Man: “Isn’t that Ralph Baxter, the chairman of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe by the side of the road? Maybe he needs a ride into Manhattan.”
3L Woman: “He has an axe!”
3L Man: “But he is a BigLaw partner. Maybe if we do him a favor, he will offer us jobs at Orrick.”
3L Woman: “But he has an axe!”
3L Man: “I’m sure there’s a good reason for it.”
The man stops the car, and lowers the window.
3L Man: “Excuse me, Mr. Baxter, but what’s with the axe?”
Baxter: “It’s a . . . . . letter opener.”
3L Man: “Hop in!”

this is terrible news for UPenn State's satellite campus in Philadelphia.

holy crap

But hey, at least they have a great diversity program and offer $12,000 per month of paid leave for four months to pregnant women.

Mmmm nom nom

MORE GRAPES!

Another bloody lay-off!

:(

*realizes that i know longer want to work in california, are there any northern california biglaw firms that haven't had layoffs/freezes?*

-nervous T-10 1L
soon to be nervous 1L sa

18 - contract doc review.

Dies iræ! dies illa
Solvet sæclum in favilla
Teste David cum Sibylla!

18, don't take 28's advice unless you want to get conflict-of-interest-pwned when you start working.

Good luck to everyone at Orrick. Our thoughts are with you all today.

20 accurately cites the trailer, but it's inaccurate vis-a-vis the original text. He knows nothing of Rorschach.

Good luck to everyone at Orrick. Our thoughts are with you all today.

soo...all of you who doubted Elie's investigations and thought he was just "stirring up unfounded gossip"...what say you now?

Good job Eli

soo...all of you who doubted Elie's investigations and thought he was just "stirring up unfounded gossip"...what say you now?

Good job Elie

Nervous T-10 1L

Think about Gibson Dunn & Crutcher. They are a good firm, albeit conservative. However, they rarely lay off associates for economic reasons and are very conservative on hiring new associates. They are also a GPA whore (>3.5).

So, the industry standard is pushing back to Jan. 2010. Why would any firm regardless of health not push back now that "industry leaders" are doing it? So, make it 9 months without pay in an expensive city. Sh#t!!!

yeah 30 that makes sense. Considering for 3 months he'll most likely be on one to possibly two doc review assingments. It's blatantly obvious that he will then realize that Orrick is on the other side or Orrick's client is involved and he's assigned to that case and that case only when he arrives. Shut the Fuck Up. Worst that will happen is he has a conflict with 1 case. You are blatantly retarded.

27- Grow a pair. Stop the compaining and try to act like an adult. Im not sure panic is the most desirable quality in an attorney.

nervous, the only norcal firms yet to do mass layoffs is Keker Van Nest, which will not give you an offer, and Fenwick & West, which cut their summer program to 8 weeks.

Any word on first years?

37, nobody forced you to live during your employment hiatus "in an expensive city."

Let me call the whaaambulance for you.

36 = GDC troll.

on the other hand, I hope nervous goes to GDC so that I don't see him at my firm

35 --

what i say is this orrick layoff had nothing to do with 3L offers getting rescinded, and yesterday's calls of fear mongering had nothing to do with orrick layoffs.

elie is a fear mongering bastard.

Elie - please do something other than regurgitate press releases from law firms. How about giving us the number of associates Orrick has? or the number of offices? Summer class sizes for last year? the year before? PPP or vault rankings?

32- You're deconstructing a flame? Really? You must be a really fun person.

36: thanks, do they have a large office in sf/sv? they're based out of la right? also, what about omm?

-nervous T-10 1L
soon to be nervous 1L sa

Complement.

44, 35 here - give it time. it's not even 11 yet.

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.

18, get a job at walmart, and write about the experience from the perspective of an elite. use a lot of cliches. go on oprah. "lawyer works at walmart for 6 months and shares his harrowing ordeal."

42, you're right. You're also quite obviously a d-bag for using the term "whaaambulance." But thanks for reminding me that I have been not forced to move for bar prep and my eventual start at the firm.

When direct marketing based vacuum companies begin to fail, we are all screwed.

nervous 1l, shut the fuck up. 1L summer assiciate job means crapt. Most 2L's in a summer programs spent their 1L summer doing something blatantly retarded, like working for free for a non-profit or interning with a gov. agency and still get 2L SA jobs and biglaw offers. Besides, I know that our firm (biglaw) doesn't even extend offers to 1L summers. . . the best they get is an offer to return the next summer.

47: omm is screwed. of non-norcal based firms that are not about to implode, there are several New York firms in the bay area, as well as Quinn, GDC, Kirkland, Sidley, and Ropes.

I am prestigious and therefore am devoid of any level of worry.

nervous T-10 1L

GD&C has a fairly large SF office (>100 attorneys).
OMM is a cheap sweatshop. They are not on par with GD&C. Everyone I know who worked there hated the place.

Is it just me, or are there geographic patterns regarding the bases of the firms in the news for making cuts.

For example, almost every major firm in Pennsylvania has made cuts (Ballard, Drinker, Duane, Dechert, KL Gates, and Reed Smith).

In terms of national firms that have made the largest cuts, with the exception of the few NY firms over-concentrated in structured finance, all the big cuts are emanating from the West Coast-based firms: Latham, Orrick, O'Melveny, and Paul Hastings. Thoughts?

By making themselves the market leader in severance pay Latham has cemented their position as the cream of the shitty firm crop.

Elie I understand you got some flack for using the term "half-Skadden" but nonetheless I think you can criticize Orrick for only giving three months severance. The three months severance became standard when firms could realistically believe that people could find another legal position. Right now the government is not hiring other than political positions (they stil have not passed the FY 2009 budget) and there are about 2% the lateral position there used to be. State and local governments are laying people off and freezing salaries and are not looking to hire any lawyers. Non-profits are falling apart because companies have less money to donate.

So it's unlikely 95% of these laid off lawyers wil find another job in three months.

Yes no one is entitled to massive severance but given at least one firm found it economically feasible to pay six months severance I think others could as well.

35 --

44 here. you asked what we say now. this changes nothing. that it's not 11 yet doesn't change anything either.

At my firm, there are usually around 50 2L summers and 2 1L summers. The 2L's are useless, but they are superstars compared to the 1L's. The 1L's don't even know how to use a bluebook. Also, all the 2L's really don't like the 1Ls because they can't relate to crapt they bitch about (law review, moot, etc.) and they think he is some douche who was good enough to get a 1L summer position. Good luck 1L summer. You would've been better off and would've gotten more experience by working at a judges chambers for the summer. At least then you wouldn't be a douche and would've actually learned something.

Any word on first years?

I hope nervous 1l gets trampled to death at a Walmart

Alowishus Devadander Abercrombie

Does any one know how many associates Orrick has in the U.S.? I'm inclined to guesstimate at about 600 to 800 associates in the U.S., which could make this an enormous 12 to 17% layoff of associates. It's not readily apparent from the NALP forms or Orrick's online directory as to the number of associates. Can someone provide a more accurate number?

MARCH 2010 - HOLYFUCKINGSHITBALLS!!!

I swear to God, if 1L summer associate asshole ends up at my firm doing patent litigation in NY, I swear to God I will make your life a living hell. All it takes is one asshole to out you on this website or facebook or something. I'm gunning for you. I bet you pop your collar when you go to some douchey lounge with some overly tanned bridge and tunnel gal. You make me want to vomit.

what about ---------> BIG MIAMI LAW? BIG ST. LOUIS LAW? BIG DETROIT LAW? BIG MILWAUKEE LAW? BIG CLEVELAND LAW?

Firm Name: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Total number of attorneys: 1175

* Number of partners: 398
* Number of of counsel: 101
* Number of associates: 676
* (Number of lawyers working part-time): 56

Please provide the number of attorneys in each office:

US

* Los Angeles: 74
* New York: 234
* Orange County: 22
* Pacific Northwest: 14
* Sacramento: 34
* San Francisco: 227
* Silicon Valley: 124
* Washington, D.C.: 97

Europe**

* Berlin: 9
* Dusseldorf: 29
* Frankfurt: 14
* London: 57
* Moscow: 8
* Paris: 100 Rome: 14 Milan: 13

Asia**

* Beijing: 18
* Hong Kong: 34
* Shanghai: 9
* Tokyo: 36

*As of October, 2008

wow. this is really bad.

Since Elie is too lazy to do it, I went through all of Orrick's NALP Directory listings-- they only had 424 associates firm wide as of Feb. 1, 2008!

This means we're talking in the range of 20-25% of all associates firmwide getting laid off. wow.

62: lol at calling me a douche because i turned down working for free instead of making 3k/week. nobody cares what you do 1L summer anyway as long as it's law-related. sorry that i chose to make money instead of go into deeper debt in a shit economy.

*practices becoming a douche...apparently it's required in order to be a 1L sa*

-nervous T-10 1L
soon to be nervous 1L sa

68,

what about trash collectors, janitors, ladies of the night?

Big Milwaukee Law. . . ha ha ha!!!!!!

58-

Interesting thoughts - I, and I am sure many others, would love to see more analysis of this type both in the comments and on the blogs. Has anyone else looked at this systematically, like any of the industry publications?

Also, for all those affected, these are not all legal jobs, but the front page headline of the Wash Post today is "Tens of Thousands Could be Added to Federal Payrolls" due to the budget, and not just political appointees

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/02/AR2009030202935.html?hpid%3Dtopnews&sub=AR

First years have also been let go.

Dear Nervous,

I have many friends at Michigan. They all think you are a douche. God I hope you are not summering at my firm.

There's no need to worry about anyone, all. Just cheer up; PrezBO has the whole world in his hands.

I hope nervous 1l gets trampled to death at a Walmart while he is applying for a job.

Alowishus Devadander Abercrombie

what about ---------> BIG MIAMI LAW? BIG ST. LOUIS LAW? BIG DETROIT LAW? BIG MILWAUKEE LAW? BIG CLEVELAND LAW?

Latham and S&C?? Since when did S&C push forward start dates or give public interest B.S.??

T10 1L

OCEANS RISE

CITIES FALL

QUINN REMAINS ... one of the only CA firms that has not conducted layoffs and doesnt look to anytime soon

T10 1L

OCEANS RISE

CITIES FALL

QUINN REMAINS ... one of the only CA firms that has not conducted layoffs and doesnt look to anytime soon

71,

I swear to God I hope you get no-offered as a 1L summer or fired and then you can't get a 2L job and then you lose BigLaw forever. You seem like just the right amount of douche to have that happen. Or, better yet, I hope someone in your summer class you have a few too many drinks with out's you as "nervous 1L summer associate" and posts it to this website. That would be freakin sweet!!!!!!!!

Hey Nervous -- Not so smug any more, you arrogent shit. All those smart ass remarks when support staff and associates were being laid off earlier in this mess. I"ve got news for you Bucko -- your dead. No job for you. Good luck washing cars.

Well Gee wiz Rush Limbaugh, why are all these lawyers not like you--rich, fat , and self-sufficient. Surely it is they, not the Partners that are losers , begging for a handout.

All these mortgages soon to be forclosed.

I hope all the BigLaws Partners start laying off themselves.

SUE THE BASTARDS!!!!!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3081/3131600832_d6e63ea387_o.png

I am now training a chimp to track down nervous 1l and eat his face off.

Johnny Chimpo

when will people on the west coast find out?

does nervous 1L even exist?

Nervous 1L, you do realize that the first to be let go or have their offer rescinded is a 1L summer right? Now go suck some dick and worry so much about it that you fuck up your grades this year. I dont care how good your grades were for the first semester, if you bomb this coming semester, no SA gig for you next year!!!! No one will give a damn about your 1L summer job. Those of us who contribute to hiring decisions dont give a shit about 1 semester of good grades when the rest of your transcript is shit! KARMA IS SWEET!!!!!!!!

God Damn Pregnant women and their maternity leave--they are responsible for All of this . Anyone done a statistical analysis of axed person's gender ?

So 100 associates out of 676 firm wide = ~ 15%. OUCH.

BIG DETROIT LAW????????? LMAO

when will associates on the west coast find out?

I recommend that all associates and summers this year notify ATL about the names, school, and work location of all 1L summers at Biglaw gigs this year. Since it seems he wants to work in CA . . . and he's apparently from a T10 school . . . that's gotta be about what? 15 kids max. We can find him!! LET'S OUT HIM!!!!!!! LAT AND ELIE FOLLOW UP ON THIS COME JUNE!!!!!

I agree completely with 67. I can't stand Nervous anymore.

I recommend that all associates and summers this year notify ATL about the names, school, and work location of all 1L summers at Biglaw gigs this year. Since it seems he wants to work in CA . . . and he's apparently from a T10 school . . . that's gotta be about what? 15 kids max. We can find him!! LET'S OUT HIM!!!!!!! LAT AND ELIE FOLLOW UP ON THIS COME JUNE!!!!!

I recommend that all associates and summers this year notify ATL about the names, school, and work location of all 1L summers at Biglaw gigs this year. Since it seems he wants to work in CA . . . and he's apparently from a T10 school . . . that's gotta be about what? 15 kids max. We can find him!! LET'S OUT HIM!!!!!!! LAT AND ELIE FOLLOW UP ON THIS COME JUNE!!!!!

Any word on whether the Heller and Thelen imports were treated LIFO?

Indian firms will be conducting OCI at T10 schools this fall. The cost of living is lower than NYC; however, the water sucks.

96 -- he's from Michigan...said so in his comments. This could definitely be done.

These offers to incoming 3Ls to defer starting for a year (i.e. starting in the fall of 2010) should be the source of serious concern for 2Ls going to these firms for the summer. If the firm wants, for example, 40 incoming 1st year associates in the fall of 2010 and they have 40 2L summer associates this summer, then the 10 or so current 3Ls who defer for a year are going to either displace 10 of the 2Ls or the firm is just lying through their teeth that you can defer for a year. Either 10 2Ls aren't getting offers, or the offer to defer for a year is really just a ruse to weed out non-committal 3Ls and stealthily rescind their offers.

Bob Loblaw's Law Blog

BRAVO 96 & 97!!! BRAVO!!!!!!!!! Gave away a little too much information about yourself 1L. Now you will face the prospect of having a fuckin ding parade next year.

"Forward, the Orrick Brigade!"
Was there a man dismay'd?
Not tho' the soldier knew
Someone had blunder'd:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the three hundred.

Acela Bob is hungry and coming for you.....

96, if this is done I will make sure to give horrible reviews to this kid if he comes to interview with me at my firm. Further, I'd sent the information about his assholeness to the hiring committee.

That being said, I really will think that any Michigan kid interviewing next year who had a Biglaw gig as a summer was this kid and would just recommend not hiring them for fear that I might work with this asshole. Sorry Michigan 1L's but this kid ruined it for all of you in my book. The only way to save yourself is really to out him. One bad apple can spoil the whole bunch. Is it fair? No. But I can't take the gamble of being stuck with this prick on my team working 70 hour weeks together in 2 years.

Big Law Associate.

I need a Bail Out please. I don't need a billion, or even a million, just 'bout a half-mil will do.

I wanna buy my firing partner a present and then I will probably need to move to costa rico or mexico.

i love the asian girl eating candies in the dealbreaker ads on this site. i would love to hose that slanty-eyed honey.

- WGWAG Redux

Revoke Michigan's accreditation!

The viciousness on here today is totally awesome. Usually I try to be the voice of reason but nothing would give me more joy than to make nervous T-10 jack ass think that he is facing imminent career ruination. I come to this conclusion based on my sincere belief that he can't be rehabilitated into a mature, sensible and humble human being. The real world is out there Mr. smarty pants and it is telling you to shut the f*** up.

THe 3L gig is sweet. I bet the laid off first year associates at Latham and Orrick wish they had this option, instead of working for 5 months and being laid off in this economy. Hell, I want this gig.

Heard about houston? heard about detroit?
Heard about pittsburgh, p. a.?

This ain't no party, this ain't no disco
This ain't no fooling around
This ain't no mudd club, or c. b. g. b.
I ain't got time for that now

Didn't all you turds learn from the xoxo debacle? Before you go and crucify some Michigan 1L who happened to get a job in CA you might want to consider that nervous may not in fact be a 1L or a Michigan student. Why you're at it you may be shocked to learn that your online "girlfriend" is 50, balding, and male.

I bet 1L summer is shitting his pants right now. Thinking his posting was anonymous. . . now realizing he can easily be outed.

Dear Nervous T-10 1L: Please learn how to spell. Thanks.

Nervous, my face eating chimp is coming for you. Won't say when exactly, but soon......

113 = Nervous t10 1L.

@113 - nice try Michigan 1L

My online girlfirend may be 50, balding, and male, but she loves me for who I am goddamnitt. That's worth something isn't it?

Akin Gump has hired 1Ls for this summer

Nervous t10 1L, its only a matter of time before your girlfriend gives you a performance based layoff.

Mass hysteria at Michigan. Everyone in contracts, section 3, just collectively shit themselves in class. Stench overwhelming, no one is quite sure what to do.

Advice to Nervous:

Don't go within 50 feet of any refrigerator or food storage area at your firm. Michigan's reputation as a den of sandwich stealers has preceded you. You'll be watched intensely. If caught, or even suspected, no offer.

@104 AWESOME

Speaking of hiring 1ls. Has anyone thought to correlate firm strength with 1L hiring. Since the economy tanked most dramatically between 2L OCI and Dec 1 (when firms can start hiring 1Ls) doesn't it follow that firms that are hiring 1Ls this summer at least perceive themselves to be in a good position in the downturn?

I would think a 2L would take the presence of 1Ls in their summer class to be a sign that their offer chances are somewhat better.

113- completely agree and find it hilarious that anyone believes in any "facts" that are posted on this junk blog.

Sincerely,
blond haired, blue eyed, 5"10", 115lb biglaw female partner who is also the GC and CLO of a fortune 100 company

113,

The XOXO situation was completely different factually. The girls weren't posting douchey things on the internet and the posts were really damaging and threatening (rape, murder, etc.) Further, they did this for a long period of time (years if I recall correctly). Also, the girls apparently did nothing. In this situation, we will merely out some a-hole who posts a-hole things on the internet. It's like showing a firm a interviewee's facebook page with explicit and damaging pics on it. If you did it to yourself, you have no defense for people using some Sherlock Holmes motherfucking skills and outing you. In law school, there's this thing they teach you about analyzing factual discrepancies to show how one doesn't apply to the other.

Besides, I didn't advocate that we ruin all Michigan 1Ls. I simply said that the information should be sent to ATL and then with possible corroboration there be enough evidence to prove who he is.

It's not ruining someone's career. It's just showing how they ruined their own career.

Thank you.

96

wow, why all the hate against nervous? don’t you guys realize he’s probably just a parody schtick?

Incoming 3Ls - take the $60k and run. I'd be surprised if this firm is around in March 2010.

AND Michigan 1L is.....drum roll please........

[insert witty character/name here because I am not creative enough]

I can't believe I'm saying this ... but I don't at all support the Nervous witch hunt. It seems to me that he speaks for a lot of 1Ls. We are seeing the worst job market that most of us can remember. Nobody knows precisely what to do, and being as pushy as possible is, well, an option.

And to the the extent that he is "annoying" in the comments, lets be clear that he is not nearly as "offensive" as some of the people on this board. I don't recall him making racist statements or sexist statements. He doesn't talk crap about staff or make fun of recently laid off associates. He's just trying to make his way and I don't support outing him or blacklisting him.

That's just my opinion. But I do think he takes a lot more crap than he gives.
--Elie

I hate the word shtick almost as much as I hate nervous 1L.

Johnny Chimpo

how long after layoffs before the laid off are removed from the firm webpage? I want to be able to check up on law school classmates.

Ok, maybe sending a face eating chimp to get nervous was a bit much. What if he just nibbles on him a little?

Ellie = nervous 1L's brother, lover, or both.

Focus, people, focus. Who gives a damn about 1Ls.

300 people got laid off today!!! who gives a rats&*## about nervous!!

I cant believe that I am agreeing with Elie, but I think he is right. and no, I am not 1L. Its amazing that there are people out there that are bent upon destruction. is this what the legal field has come to? are we so angry at ourselves and our situation that we would think that it is justified and a good cause to try to rip someone to shreds?

nervous 1L, if you are really a 1L, i hope you realize that the people who are fixated on trying to ruin your career are not typical of the rest of the bar, including big law. there are a lot of people in this profession who are empty inside and try to drag everyone down with them.

stay positive. have fun during your summer associate position. do good work and treat your colleagues well. above all, do not feel the need to respond or even associate with people whose are negative and who only desire to drag others down instead of propping them up.

stepping off my soapbox.

I hope Nervous T-101L hides in Mystal's refrigerator and Mystal eats him for lunch by accident.

Attention all law students: a bounty is hereby offered for the name of the actual "Nervous." I am personally going to seed the bounty with 500 dollars. If anyone has good ideas about how this may be eventually delivered please advise. Additionally, will anyone volunteer to keep a tally as it, hopefully, grows? Thank you.

135, he is his lover brother from another mother

"Nervous T-101L will look up and shout 'Save Me!', and I will whisper 'No!"

Won't law school student loans come due before these new late start dates?

140: I have a Nigerian savings account. It has $2 million that needs to be removed from the country. If you will send me you name, bank account number and routing number I will transfer the funds to your account and you can add such funds to your bounty.

thank you

The vitriol aimed at Nervous T-10 is turning this site into autoadmit. I don't care how annoying someone is with his avatar--let's not resort to cyber-bullying. Ruining lives is reprehensible. This is particularly bad, considering the fact that you are all proposing collateral damage by attacking innocent Michigan students, as well. You guys have been playing too much Call of Duty. Grow up, find a chick, and stop trying to be bad ass.

What are prospects like for class of 2008 grads currently doing clerkships? Are their summer associate firms likely to allow them to join at the end of their clerkships? Or are even top-tier fed clerks in trouble?

somebody out nervous

Take the stipend, run, and don't look back.

Well Gee wiz Rush Limbaugh, why are all these lawyers not like you--rich, fat , and self-sufficient. Surely it is they, not the Partners that are losers , begging for a handout.

All these mortgages soon to be forclosed.

I hope all the BigLaws Partners start laying off themselves.

SUE THE BASTARDS!!!!!

what is this garbage with this 1L bullshit?

there is not enough REAL shit to talk about today?
orrick just laid off 300, which is a much much larger percentage than latham
they offered them "only" 3 months severance
they copied latham's 75k offer

The ship be sinking...

Orrick SF has 3 1L summers. So by 125's logic, that means that Orrick is in great shape, right?

- Orrick 2L SA who is suddenly confident again...not

I hope Nervous T-101L hides in Mystal's refrigerator and Mystal eats him for lunch by accident.

Dear blond haired, blue eyed, 5"10", 115lb biglaw female partner who is also the GC and CLO of a fortune 100 company:

I think I am in love with you.

Sincerely,

Johnny Chimpo

Vault says Orrick had about 676 associates (1100 total lawyers). 100 down is 15% of their associates. That's a huge shift in leverage. And of course this cut can't possibly be sufficient given the delayed starts and the inevitable spring "performance" firings. This summer is going to be ugly in the legal market.

I know that the firm I will be at this summer has hired at least 10 1Ls since January . . . anyone else surprised given the economy?

More NorCal carnage- good luck to everyone laid off at Orrick today.

could someone who actually works there please ballpark the numbers of attorneys by office/practice area/associate year? Thanks.

Nervous should STFU - otherwise the arrogant little shit will get what is coming to him when people figure out who he is and fuck him over

156: think about it harder. 1Ls are much better than 2Ls because you don't have to extend offers to them. all you have to do is let them come back and split with you next summer.
also, even if you like them and want them back on board, they won't be there for a long long time.

This heading( ...Orick 300) is soooo misleading, and unfair to Orick --- there are only 100 lawyers getting canned! ATL -- how can you squash secretaries and paralegals (who are there for a year or two until they go to law school, find a husband, of get tired of shopping online...) into the same categorie with lawyers? Are you f** serious?

The only way to judge how the firm is doing is to look at the amount of attorneys (or summers) being effected, everything else is efficiency.

Its MerMAN, Dad, MERMAN!

clerks trying to go back to their summer firms are easy to cut, especially if they haven't formally accepted their offers yet. also, clerk hiring is dead in the water. bad time to be a clerk.

While I Assume Lobster, I am too legit to quit.

161 - only 100? Shut up.

As a person who received the Half-Latham severance, all I can say is...

THIS IS EXCELLENT NEWS FOR JOHN MCCAIN!

I've noticed that there are a lot of clerk jobs for smaller court jobs available now. This may be a good option for the 3Ls who want to defer for a year.

161

Wow! Pure comedy gold!

155, it's more like 20% of all associates have been laid off. That Vault data was taken BEFORE the last round of layoffs in November (40 associates, 35 staff back then).

So, who's next?

161

Scotch for breakfast again, eh?

Who knows anything about OMM? asre they next for layoffs?

Who knows anything about OMM? Are they next for layoffs?

Does anyone know how many were cut in the DC office? What about first year associates?

"After completing the program, incoming first years we be viewed as part of the class of 2010...."

This is bad news for current 2Ls who are headed to Orrick (or Latham, for that matter). The more from the class of 2009 that get pushed into the class of 2010, the fewer from the actual class of 2010 need be hired.
The offer of $75k to defer a year should be a red flag to 2Ls headed to firms that are offering it.

It's rough, but I'm a legal secretary, and I'd be lucky to get anything more than 2 weeks if I were laid off. And it's tough for us out there, too, especially those of us who aren't so young.

SkaddenDC is canceling its cookie service. Needless to say morale is low.

the tragedy in all this is that some of those laid off may be hot girls.

the tragedy in all this is that some of those laid off may be hot girls.

Maybe someone can comment on this? Why would firms fire first years? They don't cost that much money compared to other years, and this really will hurt their recruiting for the next 5 years. Further, they offer $75K to someone who hasn't worked a day for them (incoming associates) yet they fire a first year who only worked 5 months and hence made about the same amount of money? So you could not offer the $75 to incoming associates, keep the first years for another 6 months, and then institute a salary freeze. Financially the same situation. Furthermore, the option for an incoming 3L could still be delayed a year with a lower salary. I would take $40K if I could get some no stress job which makes $30K working at Barnes & Noble or somewhere and still make around $70K for no stress. That extra $30K could simply come by shortening the summer associate program and not having as many events.

176 -- Was it tough when you spent the last 10 yrs shopping and playing online and doing your own personal sh*t, while your associates were making their own copies??

Too bad that the 3L money looks like you have to work for public interest. As much as I like public interest, I think getting a chunk on money to pursue other interests for a year would be sweet (i.e. Latham's offer).

Too bad that the 3L money looks like you have to work for public interest. As much as I like public interest, I think getting a chunk on money to pursue other interests for a year would be sweet (i.e. Latham's offer).

180 -- The justification is that if they don't get juniors to the "right" size (meaning clocking 60-90 hours per week), the juniors won't get "trained". Also, the common wisdom is that lawyers (especially transactional) don't really start generating profits for the firm until their third year or so

Helpful?

Too bad that the 3L money looks like you have to work for public interest. As much as I like public interest, I think getting a chunk on money to pursue other interests for a year would be sweet (i.e. Latham's offer). Too bad that the 3L money looks like you have to work for public interest. As much as I like public interest, I think getting a chunk on money to pursue other interests for a year would be sweet (i.e. Latham's offer). Too bad that the 3L money looks like you have to work for public interest. As much as I like public interest, I think getting a chunk on money to pursue other interests for a year would be sweet (i.e. Latham's offer). Too bad that the 3L money looks like you have to work for public interest. As much as I like public interest, I think getting a chunk on money to pursue other interests for a year would be sweet (i.e. Latham's offer). Too bad that the 3L money looks like you have to work for public interest. As much as I like public interest, I think getting a chunk on money to pursue other interests for a year would be sweet (i.e. Latham's offer). Too bad that the 3L money looks like you have to work for public interest. As much as I like public interest, I think getting a chunk on money to pursue other interests for a year would be sweet (i.e. Latham's offer). Too bad that the 3L money looks like you have to work for public interest. As much as I like public interest, I think getting a chunk on money to pursue other interests for a year would be sweet (i.e. Latham's offer). Too bad that the 3L money looks like you have to work for public interest. As much as I like public interest, I think getting a chunk on money to pursue other interests for a year would be sweet (i.e. Latham's offer). Too bad that the 3L money looks like you have to work for public interest. As much as I like public interest, I think getting a chunk on money to pursue other interests for a year would be sweet (i.e. Latham's offer). Too bad that the 3L money looks like you have to work for public interest. As much as I like public interest, I think getting a chunk on money to pursue other interests for a year would be sweet (i.e. Latham's offer). Too bad that the 3L money looks like you have to work for public interest. As much as I like public interest, I think getting a chunk on money to pursue other interests for a year would be sweet (i.e. Latham's offer). Too bad that the 3L money looks like you have to work for public interest. As much as I like public interest, I think getting a chunk on money to pursue other interests for a year would be sweet (i.e. Latham's offer). Too bad that the 3L money looks like you have to work for public interest. As much as I like public interest, I think getting a chunk on money to pursue other interests for a year would be sweet (i.e. Latham's offer). Too bad that the 3L money looks like you have to work for public interest. As much as I like public interest, I think getting a chunk on money to pursue other interests for a year would be sweet (i.e. Latham's offer). Too bad that the 3L money looks like you have to work for public interest. As much as I like public interest, I think getting a chunk on money to pursue other interests for a year would be sweet (i.e. Latham's offer). Too bad that the 3L money looks like you have to work for public interest. As much as I like public interest, I think getting a chunk on money to pursue other interests for a year would be sweet (i.e. Latham's offer).

I'm a incooming 3L at a firm that is doing well (i.e., no layoffs, salary freezes, no pushed back start date, etc.) With that said, I'm not trying to gloat or say I'm better off than others. But honestly, I work full time while in lawschool and had a career before lawschool. I would love the opportunity to take a year, work for a public interest organization (even if for free to gain a bunch of knowledge you don't get as a first year doc review associate) and get a $75K check. I'd jump on that in a heartbeat. In a year, I'm highly optomistic the economy will be back up and running. And if you had the grades to get biglaw before, if they dont take you back you would have the grades still and also a year of work experience learning about the court system, litigation, government processes, etc. I really wish I would have this offer. I don't understand why people say "don't take the offer." The offer is incredibly generous.

48 - Thank you. One of my pet peeves.

Some first years won't start till March 2010?! Anyone know if Orrick is offering some kind of stipend to those people? That's a long time to wait after the bar...

I never even considered the possibility that Nervous was actually a 1L somewhere. I figured it was someone being funny. Well, attempting to be funny anyway.

BTW, I summered at a v10 as a 1L and it's a GOOD thing I did, because my 2L summer was spent at Orrick. Haaaaa. I was one of the rarities who returned to my 1L firm. And since it's not Latham, I am feeling very lucky right now that they took pity on me as a 1L.

184, I see your point about training, etc. But I think laid off first years would agree that they'd rather be docked a year experience and be considered a "first year" 2 years in a row if it allowed them to keep their jobs. Further, it works out economically the same for the firm. I just think more loyalty should lie with those who started working for you then an incoming associate. And no, I'm not a first year. I just think the practice of firing first years is reprehensible. They have absolutely no experience or job prospects and will be competing with incoming law school graduates.

But hell, I'd rather the firm cut a 4th years salary by $50K then fire anybody. If the 4th year is soo upset by this, they can have fun looking for employment elsewhere in this economy. It just seems like greed and poor planning.

In the long term, I'd take a firm that didn't fire first years in a heartbeat. How Latham ranks so high in reviews is beyond me. Yes places like Cadwalader may suck, but I'd take a lower ranked firm that didn't fire first years as a lawstudent looking for a job. I think law students are smarter then posters on this blg think and do more research when they are looking at future job prospects. I know I did when I was job searching. The process went: salary, practice area, location, reputation of treatment for junior associates. Prestige never even factored into my analysis. $160K a year is $160K a year no matter where you are. You can lateral later to more prestige if that's your plan. Who knows, in 3 years you may move, get married, have kids, realize you hate your job, etc. Prestige is kind of pointless in the law student analysis (or should be if they're smart).

"will affect approximately 100 associates and 200 staff" means MORE than 100 associates and MORE than 200 staff.

Word is Orrick DC got hit really hard.

Firms that haven't frozen or laid off are going to have their pick of the cream of the crop next fall.

193 - correct. For the next 3 years I'm assuming. Word travels. And most interviewees google the firm they are interviewing at. Layoff information is bound to show up easily for the next few years.

Why the hostility toward 1L summer associates? If you think it's a waste, talk to the hiring partner at your firm. How can you blame the 1L for trying to take advantage of every opportunity?

Things are bad, and even worse in Europe. In Germany, for example, Germans instead of jumping off their bridges burrying themselves under bridges.

I am a 1L, 2L, 3L or associate. FML.

190, doesn't it make more sense to cut first year's salaries by 50k since they are almost useless and have no real other options anyway than cut a valuable 4th year's salary who might be able go somewhere else?

I'm surprised at people who out themselves on this website. 189, you gotta be only 1 of possibly 2 people. It's amazing how writing "Haaa" as if it's funny shows your discretion and maturity. Why would you do that to yourself?

200th! OMM rumors? A post, please!

Yeah 189, just wait until you wake up in a couple weeks and see your 1L firm did the same thing

198,

that would work too. Why not cut everyone's salary by 10% across the board? That would save the first years, the incoming 3L's and some others I'm sure. It's amazing no firm will lower their salaries for "NALP" recruiting reasons, yet think that mass layoffs are somehow better in the long run. Drop salaries for 3 years. Raise them when the economy picks up. THat way, instead of firms thinking it's the norm to fire hundreds of attorneys, the norm would be a 10% salary reduction. Morale would be better. No need to worry about spending resources hiring people in 2 years or having to bring in contract attorneys if you get a big litigation in the future.

But hey, I'm just a lawyer. What do I know about running a law firm? Wait?. . . . ? . ?

190

202, problem is that they basically did this...it was called a salary freeze.

202: problem with dropping salary isn't with recruiting. any star associate you had would lateral at the first available opportunity. firms might not be hiring now, but they might make concessions for superstar associates who might make potential partners.

203 - point, set, match. You win.

I forgot about that. I just don't get the $75K to do nothing offer to 3Ls when associates are being fired by the hundreds. A 3 month severance package doesn't even come close to that amount for a junior assiociate and they don't have the option to return. Just looking for other options. I.e. "3L's have the option of starting in September with a $100K salary"

202.

of course, this Orrick layoff announcement is on top of the earlier mass layoffs in fall 2008.

202,

Some firms have already dropped salaries. These firms have done this in addition to, not instead of, laying off associates. Cutting or freezing salaries might not be enough to save jobs at some firms.

One of possibly two people... in which summer class year? In which office? You can consider me outed, I suppose, but that's all conjecture.

-189

190, 184 here. I just said that that was/ is the underlying rationalization BigLaw partners give in private, not that agree with it or think it's fair in any way. In fact, I think But before we go belittling the classy way that Latham handled it, let's not forget PROSKAUER and their ilk -- firms that fired their associates including lots of first years, no options to defer or transfer to another practice group, and gave most lawyers TWO months of severance (yes 2, not 3 which ATL now calls the market standard)
Nervous T10, and all the other 1/2 Ls on here, TAKE NOTE. Imagine what it's like to take the NY bar, make the move to NYC (from Michigan or where ever else), decline other offers and opportunities, and then have a firm give you a two months severance packages and wish you a good luck.

Wither Johnny Chimpo?

208,

Worked where you were as a 1L summer upon graduation, 2L summer at Orick. Not hard to figure out. The Biglaw world isn't that big.

As a T10 3L, Good thing I split 1L and 2L summers at the same V10 firms! Who knew that I was spreading my risk (i.e., diversifying) by receiving two V10 offers? Feeling great!!!

As a T10 3L, Good thing I split 1L and 2L summers at the same V10 firms! Who knew that I was spreading my risk (i.e., diversifying) by receiving two V10 offers? Feeling great!!!

212, You had to accept by Nov. How are you better off? Most layoff news came later. Blatant trolling.

@199, since when were "discretion" and "maturity" big parts of ATL blog comments? If you're looking for that, I suggest you stop checking here.

212

I am guessing at this point even your mother no longer takes your calls.

Jill? Heather? Mike? Eric? David? Kristine? Tara? Kristin? Anyone survive?

189/208 - worked at a V10 (not Latham) 1L summer, Orrick 2L summer, not too hard to figure out. You worked at either WLRK, CSM, S&C, Skadden, Davis Polk, STB, Cleary, Weil, and Covington. I'm willing to bet you're a current 3L who worked in Orrick's NY office this summer.

215,

Discretion and maturity is appropriate when you out yourself on a public website that is closely monitored by your colleagues.

199

What this climate will do is separate those who are entrepreneureal enough to survive on their own to those who were dependent completely on the work coming in... It sucks for everyone, but the legal profession is going to get a lot smaller.

- Nostradobvious

189/208 & 218, why not just blow each other and post a pix here. Would be more entertaining for the rest of us

Anyone else agree?

These comments are boring.

Is this site a http://whitewhine.tumblr.com/ meme?

218,

I can narrow that list down. Started at the V10 firm (not Latham) upon graduation where they summered as a 1L, but not as a 2L. Happy they are not at Orrick now (so not laid off either).

I won't post the name of the individual here, but do know who it is. And I will be sure to share the lovely, classy post to others in the office who are sure to get a kick out of it.

215, discretion and maturity is appropriate and essential when you out yourself as a jerk on a public website that is closely monitored by your colleagues.

221 - looks like 218 was a response to 189/208.

212, trying to "diversify" by getting two V10 offers is like trying to diversify by getting offers from both Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch. I think you need to reassess.

Orrick in DC got absolutely hammered. Partners and associates (including first years) were let go.

WOW, a firm that actually laid off partners!!!!! Maybe Orrick got it right.

215 here: I am just noting that the posts on ATL aren't exactly classy all around. The racist/sexist/anti-semitic/anti-support staff comments aren't really what you would call mature, but point taken.

Accord with 222.

Any word on the whether the Heller folks were affected?

Is it unprofessional to give myself a reverse Snuffalupagus during a video conference call?

Details on Orrick DC please? Were the layoffs focused on the structured finance lawyers, or were they spread around? Any estimate on the number of people let go? I know that there were around 99 lawyers in that office pre-layoff.

What looks better to a firm when interviewing for a 2L SA: a 1L SA or externing for a federal district court?

What looks better to a firm when interviewing for a 2L SA: a 1L SA or externing for a federal district court?

224, not laid off is worth its weight in diamonds right now. Loving my job, reveling in my office at the moment. Share whatever you will, I could really care less as long as I'm employed.

189 et al.

Besides, isn't everyone at a top firm a jerk? It's not like this is surprising.

234/5 here: sorry for the double post. browser error. ATL doesn't seem to like my firefox.

Is it unprofessional to give myself a reverse Snuffalupagus during a video conference call?

236,

I am a not laid off non douche. I bet you are a fat, ugly lady who smells like vomit.

Can we have some comments that are relevant to anything at all, please? I summered at Orrick my 2L summer in SF (and, incidentally, at a v10 firm my 1L summer, so who knows who this douchejerk is, but also... who cares?) and am not returning in the fall, BUT the rest of that summer class are my friends and I'm concerned about them. What are they supposed to do until March? Will Orrick at least give them a bigger bar stipend for putting them off?

Mark my words, Nervous T-10 1L is a 42 year old telemarketer from outside Phoenix who still lives with his mom.

234/5 - A 1L SA if with a V100 firm and you have an offer to come back, otherwise the externship.

Guess it is time for you to go beyotch! Thanks for playing!

I seriously don't get that hate against nervous T10 1L. He's just writing on a webpage probably what every single 1L is thinking right now.....

MARCH? How did the firm decide who starts in Jan. and who in March? Is it providing any sort of stipend?

umm, are there any other district court clerks without offers who are having trouble getting an offer for fall 2009?

What all 1Ls should be thinking is "this economic crisis may not really affect me." I should study my ass off, be top 10%, and make law review so in a year when I interview for a job that actually matters I have a chance at Biglaw.

I hate to break it to you T10 school kids, but school name doesn't matter nearly as much as grades anymore. It's a tight legal market. It's gonna be about work ethic in a year, not school name. Mark my word. I just saw H/S/Y first years get laid off and T2 school kids keep their jobs.

word is that milbank and W&C will follow the 3L 75k offer.

Elie should do a poll on what readers think of the 3L $75K offer.

246 -- yes.

Orrick partners laid off 40 associates in November thinking that was enough to survive the downturn but then only 4 months later cut again at 2 1/2 times their original estimate of what was necessary. Either the partners there are horrible at forecasting their own business or Orrick is in serious trouble.

This is my BOOMSTICK! Now remember, shop smart, shop S-Mart!

I'm an incoming Orrick SA. How screwed am I?

The problem with Orrick is that it's not a top tier firm, but tries to act like one. They make partners every year, none of whom usually have any clients and then act surprised when current clients object to a new minted partner billing $600 an hour.

Also, their litigation base is dwindling as toxic tort litigation (bread and butter for Orrick NY) and securities litigation is drying up (Orrick LA and SF).

Don't be surprised to see Orrick do another round of layoffs soon.

You better not come into my Orrick until invited.

How can W&C not follow the 3L 75K offer (or something similar) with its huge incoming class?

What's the word on Orrick DC???

ATL needs to start keeping a list of firms that have made the defer-for-one-year offer to 3L's.

I think these are close to rescinded offers, since it's a pretty strong signal to 3L's that they are not welcome to start work in the fall. Of course I could be way off on that, but whatever.

*I* am 189/209!

I suspect that most large firms are finally turning their attention to the "3L issue". I would imagine that the good firms will provide something similar to the 75K offer.

The problem, though, is that when things don't improve by 2010, these same firms will be forced to do what they don't have the balls to do now -- revoke our offers.

I really wish the firms would just come clean with us. We get it: there is no work, your PPP is plummeting, and there is no way you can make room for all of us. But we are all smart enough to recognize these realities, and would appreciate honesty!

From a now former Orrick staff-member:

Rumor was that people would be notified last week, but that didn't happen. I saw the e-mail from Ralph this morning on my blackberry. I went in, and after about half an hour (maybe less), I was called into a room with an HR person. So, kind of a wasted commute today!

No, *I* am 189/209!

I'm a 3L (supposedly) starting at Orrick this fall: as far as I'm aware 3Ls haven't heard anything at all from the firm.

Orrdick DC is flacid.

No word yet on whether former Heller or Thelen people were among those laid off?

My friend's profile is still up on the Orrick website. Does that mean they still have a job?

#265, Im in SF Orrick, and I only know 1 associate from Heller that was let go.

I'm a 3L w. an offer from Orrick and I haven't heard anything from the firm about our status. Other 3Ls and associates I have asked don't know if this is true either. And the layoff memo ATL posted doesn't address it. So what's ATL's source?? As far as I know, it's just speculation. Can anyone confirm?

Also, to the 3L above calling for honesty...sure, we all want to know our status...but I'll take a firm that's uncertain and wants to give me 60K for a year rather than cut me off completely any day over one that's "honest" with me right before I graduate 6 figures in debt with no hope of a job in sight.

The bell tolls for thee associates. Stay small in those foxholes.

#267

Are the layoffs across the board or mostly in the corporate/project finance groups?

266- no.

I will contribute $100 to the witchhunt for nervous. Someone start a fund. GET HIM!!!

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Don't make my chimp ANGRY!

#270, across the board, even busy associates. it is believe by many here that the firm based their decision on billable hours and performance.

Dear blond haired, blue eyed, 5"10", 115lb biglaw female partner who is also the GC and CLO of a fortune 100 company:

Johnny Chimpo isn't worth of you. I do not love you like he does, but my creds are better than his.

Sincerely,
Big Law Partner
6'2" ,180 lbs, hung like a horse

267-how about Thelen?

#275

So even busy litigation associates billing over 2000 hours a year were laid off?

OUCH! Either Orrick hurting more than it's showing or the partners just wanted an excuse to bump up their PPP.

I can now confirm (having gotten the phone call) that ALL Orrick 3L's everywhere are having their start dates pushed: Jan for some, March for most. There are two fellowships available: (1) public interest, and (2) gov't. Rumor = truth.

I am sick of 1L's shitting their pants over this. You have two years, and by then the market will be thawing out. You will be fine. 3L's like me from T3 schools are SCREWED. Top 10% and Editor of Law Review isn't enough to get a job these days at my school. So yea, stop the whining. You will be fine.

I feel bad for the 3Ls who have had their offers rescinded at other firms. I'm sure they spent money or didn't take out loans in reliance of having a big paycheck in September. My thoughts are also with the laid off support staff and attorneys.

279 - do you have any office specific details on the layoffs?

248 and 256:

I assume by W&C, you're talking White & Case, not Williams & Connolly, right? I thought Williams always maintained fairly small classes.

248 and 256:

I assume by W&C, you're talking White & Case, not Williams & Connolly, right? I thought Williams always maintained fairly small classes.

This is so depressing...

247 is right.

This is not a temporary market downturn. This is a fundamental contraction that mirrors what is happening to the rest of the economy. It will take a generation to get back to where we were 5 years ago, just as it took a generation to get out the Great Depression.

If you're in law school now, my advice is to think seriously about why you are there. Unless you can confidently say you are near the top of your class, and unless you can coherently explain what niche practice you expect to develop and how you plan to become a partner, then you are in the wrong line of work. Don't do this if all you are looking forward to is a comfy job and a huge paycheck.

There are too many law schools pumping out too many associates needing to make too much money. The work has dried up and what you're seeing now are firms desperately shedding the only variable costs they have so they can try to stay alive.

239, I smell more like old cheese, but you are very close!!! Would you like to open a psychic lawyering practice? That could go far in this economy. You know, set you apart from the competition.

281 - nope. My understanding is it's firm-wide.

280,

You were screwed the day you decided to attend a T3 school.

Maybe you should have studied harder in college.

as soon as obama and the federal gov. stop pouring gas on the economic fire this madness will come to an end.

"by then the market will be thawing out."

I think you meant "by then the market will be in the fourth year of the Second World Depression".

No I am Spartacus! 189 and Nervous are actually two of my multiple personalities. The other ones are even better. Just you wait.

Avoid employing unlucky people - throw half of the pile of CVs in the bin without reading them.

100 additional associates let go by Orrick HerringTTTon? Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeit!

-Clay Davis

At Orrick DC, laid off were five associates--three litigators and two transactional (one 1st year, two 2nd years, and two mid-levels).

How many in the Orrick SF/SV and LA offices?

Five associates from DC?! That's 10 percent of their associates - wow.

Re: 294: Call me crazy, but that doesn't sound that drastic.

Not everybody at Orrick got 3 months. I got 7 weeks.

If 5 associates were cut in DC, that leaves about 100 cut from other offices. That's pretty major.

294- was the 1st year transactional or litigation?

1st year was lit. Weird, given how slow structured has been.

If the DC numbers are accurate (only two transactional associates), there will be more layoffs very soon.

Five associates in LA.

20 in SF

Anyone know the breakdown of the laid off associates in SF and LA?

Which practice groups in LA and SF?

Just 30 between DC, LA and SF? NY and SV must have been hit hard

Sympathies to all at Orrick who have lost their jobs, partners, associates and support staff alike. Good luck to all of you; hope you land on your feet.

Unfortunately, #285 may be right. The economy isn't even close to hitting bottom yet, times are going to be hard for quite a while, and it may be years before a full recovery occurs. Stay focused.

motherfucking steptoe..

In canada Orrick is a vacume and that's the way it should be!

-Bay Street is awesome!

In Canada Orrick is a vacuum and that's the way it should be!

we also correct spelling erros

-Bay Street is awesome!

282/283 - Yes, White & Case

Enough of you spoiled law students and associates whining! As a rich fat partner, I would like to commend Orrick and all the other firms on cutting associate and staff fat so that us partners don't get screwed.

To all you partners out there, keep milking the associate cow!

161: just think of these times as karmic calibration because your mother didn’t get that abortion

181: and you were probably one of the little punk asses discussing American Idol with the secretaries who did goof off when you weren't brown nosing one of their partners after you gave a poor review to your secretary who caught all of your spelling/grammatical errors. See my message to 161

313 you sound like S. Warts in the corner on 7.

won't miss that goon

well well well....
and latham has not burned down yet? oh, to be a latham lay-off-ee - six months beats 3 months!!
now who is weak?? not latham!

this site is for losers....

252, thanks for the reference!

Legal field is HOT in 2009! Really... check it out -

http://education.yahoo.net/degrees/articles/featured_top_demand_careers.html

314, you are a very bitter and insecure person.

Is there any truth to the Jones Day layoff rumors? I don't that makes much sense since they are litigation heavy.

319
stick to sucking up, I mean off the partner with the nonpaying clients

321, you continue to prove my point. As an additional matter, your writing skills are atrocious.

314 -- I think you missed the few weeks in 3rd grade where punctuation and run-on sentences were discussed:

and you were probably one of the little punk asses discussing American Idol with the secretaries who did goof off when you weren't brown nosing one of their partners after you gave a poor review to your secretary who caught all of your spelling/grammatical errors.

Hey, #29 .... I think what you meant to say was:

Quid sum miser tunc dicturus?
Quem patronum rogaturus,
cum vix justus sit securus?

323:
actually, just emulating the writing style of clowns like you. Don't take such a elitist stance about legal support contributing to this blog, that kind of attitude won't serve you at the unemployment office.

325, jeeze, I didn't say anything about support staff posting on this site. In fact, I welcome it. However, I do suggest that you stop posting. Your messages reek of insecurity, anger, and bitterness and therefore are making a mockery of you.

Oh, and falling asleep during telephone conferences that you sit in on, is really frowned upon.

#181 I hope you're next to lose your job.

kisses

327 -- learn to write before you post here. please.

325 = angry freak. Stay clear.

First years? YOU SERIOUS? I will talk shit about Orrick forever. Good luck with your recruiting efforts in the T10. Burn in hell.

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

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WE WILL NEVER FORGET

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

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WE WILL NEVER FORGET

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

Let this be a powerful lesson- it's always good to have a Plan B. Now is the time to utilize your strengths/talents and plan for a life outside of the law if your outlook presently looks bleak. You can always come back! At least you will have other tools in your arsenal to be more marketable in the practice of law w/ something else under your belt besides a JD and law review publication! Best wishes to all hurting during these uncertain times.. Just believe that everything will work out w/ faith and a plan b, c, d...

331, stop being such a drama queen. Plus, why do you think that first years are entitled to employment? That's just dumb.

Hey Orrick way to go...huge layoffs and same shitty severance.

At least Latham ponied up the dough when it fired half of its first year class.

Thanks Ralph! I just got my measly package of 6 weeks for 3 years and you somehow find the money to defend terrorists at Gitmo. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.

What Orrick did today was absolutely bizarre. People who haven't billed shit in months are still here and people who busted their asses are gone.

Hard work and dedication are not appreciated here. I'm out of here with my team as soon as possible.

This seemed so desperate, poorly thought out and simply stupid.

KJ-M's patronizing comments to the staff would get her tossed in a well-run firm. What a self-absorbed c*nt!!

Compare the comments on this blog about Orrick with the comment on the Latham layoffs blog and ask yourself where you want to work.

Orrick's still got learning to do before they play with the big boys. They handled thisclearly like hillbillies in the big city. Lame management !!!

337 -- Stop the Latham trolling on this thread. It is unseemly.

336 -- What do you mean by your "team"? Are you a partner?

Both places are currently going through some serious turbulance. When the dust settles, I would choose Orrick. It's a matter of personal preference, but I don't enjoy being surrounded by frat boys.

Good luck to everyone.

339, TITCR

Orrick is a total second tier sh*tty firm, whose chairman dreamed to turn it into one of the elite firms. Time has proved it never was. And it never will be. Folks who happened to move out of that cr*ppy shop shouldn't be so upset. When market turns around and you guys look back and see how that firm treated people, you will feel so lucky that you got out earlier.

Why are people piling on? People lost their jobs today and have no chance of finding new ones for awhile. It's pretty fucking classless to use this as a chance to let everyone know just how much of a second tier firm you think Orrick is. I don't think there's any serious debate that it's a douchebag move. I know the anonymity of the internet allows (and maybe even encourages) you to act like a douche, but remember that people were fired today. Good luck to those at Orrick.

orrick will never be in the 10 like baxter wants them to be -- dream on you a**holes! They just don't have what it takes and yesterday's bloodbath and the way it was conducted it proves it -- not to mention the shitty severance package -- no class !!! good job ralph and anyone else who went along with the decision.

Does anyone know how many associates were let go in the NY office and which areas?

This is what all of you psuedo-intellectuals deserve for electing a socialist president. Every time he speaks the market crashes even further and more people are laid off. I don't feel sorry for any of you; unless of course you weren't fooled by hopeychange. In that case, you're probably just as angry as I am. This guy has already cost me about $100k. And it's only just begun.

345 - yeah, McSame would have been much better. And Bush did wonders for the economy and controlling government spending. Go back to FreeRepublic, broseph.

346 - pure speculation. The facts are the facts. see, e.g., http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123604419092515347.html

As 2009 opened, three weeks before Barack Obama took office, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 9034 on January 2, its highest level since the autumn panic. Yesterday the Dow fell another 4.24% to 6763, for an overall decline of 25% in two months and to its lowest level since 1997. The dismaying message here is that President Obama's policies have become part of the economy's problem.

Americans have welcomed the Obama era in the same spirit of hope the President campaigned on. But after five weeks in office, it's become clear that Mr. Obama's policies are slowing, if not stopping, what would otherwise be the normal process of economic recovery. From punishing business to squandering scarce national public resources, Team Obama is creating more uncertainty and less confidence -- and thus a longer period of recession or subpar growth.

The Democrats who now run Washington don't want to hear this, because they benefit from blaming all bad economic news on President Bush. And Mr. Obama has inherited an unusual recession deepened by credit problems, both of which will take time to climb out of. But it's also true that the economy has fallen far enough, and long enough, that much of the excess that led to recession is being worked off. Already 15 months old, the current recession will soon match the average length -- and average job loss -- of the last three postwar downturns. What goes down will come up -- unless destructive policies interfere with the sources of potential recovery.

And those sources have been forming for some time. The price of oil and other commodities have fallen by two-thirds since their 2008 summer peak, which has the effect of a major tax cut. The world is awash in liquidity, thanks to monetary ease by the Federal Reserve and other central banks. Monetary policy operates with a lag, but last year's easing will eventually stir economic activity.

Housing prices have fallen 27% from their Case-Shiller peak, or some two-thirds of the way back to their historical trend. While still high, credit spreads are far from their peaks during the panic, and corporate borrowers are again able to tap the credit markets. As equities were signaling with their late 2008 rally and January top, growth should under normal circumstances begin to appear in the second half of this year.

So what has happened in the last two months? The economy has received no great new outside shock. Exchange rates and other prices have been stable, and there are no security crises of note. The reality of a sharp recession has been known and built into stock prices since last year's fourth quarter.

What is new is the unveiling of Mr. Obama's agenda and his approach to governance. Every new President has a finite stock of capital -- financial and political -- to deploy, and amid recession Mr. Obama has more than most. But one negative revelation has been the way he has chosen to spend his scarce resources on income transfers rather than growth promotion. Most of his "stimulus" spending was devoted to social programs, rather than public works, and nearly all of the tax cuts were devoted to income maintenance rather than to improving incentives to work or invest.

His Treasury has been making a similar mistake with its financial bailout plans. The banking system needs to work through its losses, and one necessary use of public capital is to assist in burning down those bad assets as fast as possible. Yet most of Team Obama's ministrations so far have gone toward triage and life support, rather than repair and recovery.

AIG yesterday received its fourth "rescue," including $70 billion in Troubled Asset Relief Program cash, without any clear business direction. (See here.) Citigroup's restructuring last week added not a dollar of new capital, and also no clear direction. Perhaps the imminent Treasury "stress tests" will clear the decks, but until they do the banks are all living in fear of becoming the next AIG. All of this squanders public money that could better go toward burning down bank debt.

The market has notably plunged since Mr. Obama introduced his budget last week, and that should be no surprise. The document was a declaration of hostility toward capitalists across the economy. Health-care stocks have dived on fears of new government mandates and price controls. Private lenders to students have been told they're no longer wanted. Anyone who uses carbon energy has been warned to expect a huge tax increase from cap and trade. And every risk-taker and investor now knows that another tax increase will slam the economy in 2011, unless Mr. Obama lets Speaker Nancy Pelosi impose one even earlier.

Meanwhile, Congress demands more bank lending even as it assails lenders and threatens to let judges rewrite mortgage contracts. The powers in Congress -- unrebuked by Mr. Obama -- are ridiculing and punishing the very capitalists who are essential to a sustainable recovery. The result has been a capital strike, and the return of the fear from last year that we could face a far deeper downturn. This is no way to nurture a wounded economy back to health.

Listening to Mr. Obama and his chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, on the weekend, we couldn't help but wonder if they appreciate any of this. They seem preoccupied with going to the barricades against Republicans who wield little power, or picking a fight with Rush Limbaugh, as if this is the kind of economic leadership Americans want.

Perhaps they're reading the polls and figure they have two or three years before voters stop blaming Republicans and Mr. Bush for the economy. Even if that's right in the long run, in the meantime their assault on business and investors is delaying a recovery and ensuring that the expansion will be weaker than it should be when it finally does arrive.

Does anyone know how many associates were let go in NY ?

347 - too long; didn't read

Would all of the Orrick bashers kindly head over to the OMM thread? They are now largely conducting the same "bloodbath" as Orrick.

288 - your comment reeks of someone who is so insecure they have to point out the perceived weaknesses of others. I graduated with honors from a top tier school, and my choice to go to a T3 was because of my family and a scholarship. So please, take your insecure need to beat up on others online somewhere else.

I do think the market will get better by the time 1Ls graduate. Law firms need to hire new lawyers who they can charge less for, and they need new lawyers to be the midlevel associates of the future. Maybe I'm just overly optimistic.

From the "About Orrick" portion of the Orrick website (http://www.orrick.com/about/):

We Are Dedicated to Our People

Our people are truly exceptional. Not only are they among the most skilled and dedicated lawyers and staff in the world, but they embrace a unique set of Core Values which shape the way they serve our clients and interact with each other. We maintain a professional environment which fosters teamwork and a seamless dedication of resources to client service, while providing each individual the opportunity to develop a career to the full extent of his or her talent and ambition.

(Apparently, these 100+ lawyers were not talented or ambitious enough.) Meanwhile, Orrick keeps throwing money at lateral partners (take a look at their movements over the past several months in that space). Is there an actual plan here, or is it just to keep Orrick going until Ralph Baxter decides it's time for him to retire?

From the "About Orrick" portion of the Orrick website (http://www.orrick.com/about/):

We Are Dedicated to Our People

Our people are truly exceptional. Not only are they among the most skilled and dedicated lawyers and staff in the world, but they embrace a unique set of Core Values which shape the way they serve our clients and interact with each other. We maintain a professional environment which fosters teamwork and a seamless dedication of resources to client service, while providing each individual the opportunity to develop a career to the full extent of his or her talent and ambition.

(Apparently, these 100+ lawyers were not talented or ambitious enough.) Meanwhile, Orrick keeps throwing money at lateral partners (take a look at their movements over the past several months in that space). Is there an actual plan here, or is it just to keep Orrick going until Ralph Baxter decides it's time for him to retire?

These firm-wide layoffs are outrageous. Everyone here knows that the Seattle office is sucking wind. Why no layoffs there? Management sucks.

353 - Baxter wants to be a politician in West Virginia. He doesn't intend to retire. That is why he's moving as much as he can to the GOC.

He'll fuck over everyone else so he can look good in West Virginia.

Have fun waiting on Citrix as the severs keep crashing.

Orrick No. 1 and Holland & Knight No. 2, now there's a surprise! Holland & Knight has been dirty for a long time, so if you are stupid enough to take a job there, you probably are stupid enough to be surprised that they are one of the "golden axes". And guess who H&K's attorneys are, trying (usually with little or no finesse) to get them out of their sordid little messes--none other than the aforementioned Orrick's!

from a client's perspective, here are few other things big law firms need to do to become more efficient and effective:

1. stop wasting money on summer associate programs.
2. drastically cut junior associate pay and limit compensation and billing rates until associates can actually run deals and/or provide consistently meaningful legal advice.
3. eliminate lock step associate pay increases.
4. cut useless overhead like fancy offices and artwork.
5. genuinely focus on client service and interest rather than maximizing ppps on every matter. really.

from a client's perspective, here are few other things big law firms need to do to become more efficient and effective:

1. stop wasting money on summer associate programs.
2. drastically cut junior associate pay and limit compensation and billing rates until associates can actually run deals and/or provide consistently meaningful legal advice.
3. eliminate lock step associate pay increases.
4. cut useless overhead like fancy offices and artwork.
5. genuinely focus on client service and interest rather than maximizing ppps on every matter. really.

Orrick got the last word on me. Now I get the last word on Orrick.