Nationwide Layoff Watch: 89 Down at Milbank
Back in January, we asked if Milbank was laying the ground for stealth layoffs. The firm changed its annual review process, and associates were concerned. At the time a firm spokesperson suggested there was nothing to worry about:
We did an overhaul of our evaluation system in late 2007 to early 2008 that was part of a broader firm excellence initiative. The new review process was designed to encourage excellence and provide more meaningful feedback, forward-looking career guidance and greater focus to the professional development of our associates.
Today, associates received some very “meaningful feedback,” as 49 of them were let go.
The firm also laid off 40 staffers as part of today’s cuts.
We understand that while all departments were affected, general corporate was the hardest hit.
Milbank spokespeople did not respond to an immediate request for comment, so we don’t know if these layoffs will be called economic or performance based. But we also understand that there is a full memo going around explaining all of the moves, we’ll post it when we get it.
Good luck to the 89 Milbank people let go today.
Update (5:08): A tipster reports this additional information:
No first years were affected. All were told that it was NOT performance based, but due to the lack of work. They were very civil about it. Last day of work is Friday (conveniently, the day before the summer associates start on Monday). Severance is 3 months, plus accrued vacation.
Earlier: Is Milbank Setting Up For Stealth Layoffs? Not According to Milbank
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Ouch, ouch, ouch. Good luck to all of those who were Milbanked.
First - and even if I'm not first, I voted for Obama so I am still first because it was my INTENTION to be first
fritatta
phirst
The toilet be flushing!
I never liked them anyway!
-Tarbosh
Good riddance to bad rubbish!
Welcome to the brotherhood.
~Previously laid-off associate still looking for work two months in
ugh.
This is uneventful news from a non-peer firm. This firm should have also adopted part two of my hybrid tough love package. Instead of looking like a trendsetter, Millbank appears to be a mere follower of what other non-peer firms are doing (i.e., layoffs).
Good riddance to bad rubbish!
If Milbank is laying people off, Kirkland can't be far behind.
"Meaningful feedback."
I like that. It means lay your neck
right here on the curve and close
your eyes.
PHJW is next.
If Milbank is laying people off, Kirkland can't be far behind.
The memo explains that these are economically driven cuts. While it may not be a consolation, the memo goes on to thank those cut for their service, speaks of their value to the firm, and regrets having to make the cuts.
PHJW is next.
Elie:
Hate to do your work for you...but I got time. How about a survey targeted at those who have been laid off? Would love to know % of people who have been able to land new gigs? How long they have been looking? What was the salary difference between new gig and prior TTT employer? Were they forced to change practice area? etc, etc, etc
month of May will be layoffs part deux
SHEEEEIIITTT!
Hilarious. I think one of you laid off lawyers should start a new career-memo writing for law firm layoffs.
-Tarbosh
what a friggin mess
"The firm changed it's annual review process,"
Try "its"!!
2L's...
We are screwed. Majorly screwed.
So what happened to their supposed "no layoffs" pledge?
http://abovethelaw.com/2008/03/whats_up_at_milbank_tweedparen.php
Any first years get cut?
we are not out of the woods yet my friends
only question, will any NYC v20 firm openly do layoffs? or just stealth people like 80% of them have been doing?
SHEEEEIIITTT!
Point SRZ. SRZ's the firm that didnt just layoff 89 people. Oh but there is this memo.....
All will be well.
The Market will provide.
SHEEEEIIITTT!
Another -89 on Obama's "save or create 4 million jobs" plan. On the plus side, reports are that as part of his genius plan to create more jobs by taxing the crap out of companies, he is planning to hire 800 new IRS agents. If there's anything America needs more of, it's IRS agents, particularly with his "tax businesses to death" strategy in which the very taxpayer receipts paying for the salaries of those agents vanishes into the ether as companies go bankrupt or relocate out of the country. Might I suggest that unemployed associates apply for those positions, since it can't be all that difficult to audit tax returns filled out with 0s.
Ok, so i just did some research and it appears this associates might have a ยง90 claim. look it up for yourselves, it's in the 2d Restatement of Contracts. It seems these associates just needed to reasonably rely on the fact that they had 'nothing to worry about.'
This promissory estopel seems like a powerful tool, it should be used wisely and this seems like a wise time.
27 - White and Case and Shearman already have.
The HR woman told us to 'look to the blogs' to find out how many were actually laid off in total at Milbank when someone askd her how many were let go...
The HR woman told us to 'look to the blogs' to find out how many were actually laid off in total at Milbank when someone asked her how many were let go...
The Hanger of Paul Hastings is gunna get you all!!!!!!!!!!
You gotta hand it to them - they were not, in fact, setting up for "stealth" layoffs.
I think May is a serious danger zone for layoffs. The first two weeks in particular. I know that if my firm lays people off this summer, it won't do so while the precious SAs are here. So all of us are hoping to make it until th 18th.
Millbank > S&C
8UTTCHEEKS
GET RID OF THAT FREAKING GRAPES GREED CRAP!!!
Get rid of that commercial in the upper right, damn it!
Were the layoffs mostly in NYC or more spread out?
39 - news flash. SAs are no longer "precious," they are caged dogs fighting to the death for one of the few offers that will be given.
SAs will not be coddled this summer. Frills will be stripped away and layoffs will continue to happen.
What idiot told you you could bring back that stupid grapes ad?
FIRST to say:
Milbank TTTweed
I'm glad that I got out of that sh*thole before it was too late.
34: untrue. Shearman has not done any real layoffs, but have conducted stealth layoffs.
You're crazy if you think the top 10-20 firms are going to give anything less than 99% summer offers.
49 - There's no need to lie.
http://abovethelaw.com/2009/04/stealth_layoff_watch_5_litigat.php
I dunno, 50 -- I'm going to be really curious to see what their numbers look like next year (Of course, if I still have a job, I'll hopefully be too busy to remember to look.)
The economy may be in the tank,
But that doesn't excuse Milbank
From saying "Don't fret,
You'll keep your job yet!"
Then turning you 'round for a spank.
If you just got laid off, you'll be needing
to start drafting your equitable proceeding.
For guidance please see
Restatement ninety,
Pretty soon Milbank will be Tweeding.
Summer Associates are not going to be cuddled? Maybe at YOUR firm. Over here we're going to show them all a grand time, and buck the trend. And yes we are planning on giving everyone offers.
First, though, we need to clear out a lot of the dead wood associates and of counsels, so the SAs don't see how the sausage is made.
The economy may be in the tank,
But that doesn't excuse Milbank
From saying "Don't fret,
You'll keep your job yet!"
Then turning you 'round for a spank.
If you just got laid off, you'll be needing
to start drafting your equitable proceeding.
For guidance please see
Restatement ninety,
Pretty soon Milbank will be Tweeding.
-- by: The Lim Ricker
Well its official Wilkie Farr Gallagher has started the rounds of FIRINGS. It is utterly despicable that these firms can turn around and fire people under the guise of "poor performance". After treating their associates as two bit whores for years they sending them out when the fleet is in. As soon as the ships leave the harbor the partners at these firms toss their associates out like the used prophylactic used to service their clients. Its understandable that in a bad economy that belts have to be tightened but to have the outright GALL to place the blame on the associates who have worked 80 hour weeks and worked through weekends for you, just to stamp them with "sub-par" is outrageous. The truly troubling point is that the Mayor of New York Mr. Bloomberg seems to be ok with such behavior. Since he has no in house council he attorneys are Wilkie attorneys, so in a sense his own employees. I for one am not sure I can vote for or abide by a man that allows his own employees to flat out degrade associates like that. Since there is a growing number of individuals who seem to come across a similar situation maybe a statement needs to be made. Bloomberg wants to be mayor again, maybe he should side those of us that need his help and damn the disreputable firms, otherwise we'll have to find someone who will.
Now: Milbank layoffs.
Next up: more Kirkland, Orrick, Latham layoffs
After that: summer safety until September
PE has been weak lately. The main dude/girl must have a final today.
Join my class action promissory estoppel-suit.
-Milbank Avenger
Well its official Wilkie Farr Gallagher has started the rounds of FIRINGS. It is utterly despicable that these firms can turn around and fire people under the guise of "poor performance". After treating their associates as two bit whores for years they sending them out when the fleet is in. As soon as the ships leave the harbor the partners at these firms toss their associates out like the used prophylactic used to service their clients. Its understandable that in a bad economy that belts have to be tightened but to have the outright GALL to place the blame on the associates who have worked 80 hour weeks and worked through weekends for you, just to stamp them with "sub-par" is outrageous. The truly troubling point is that the Mayor of New York Mr. Bloomberg seems to be ok with such behavior. Since he has no in house council he attorneys are Wilkie attorneys, so in a sense his own employees. I for one am not sure I can vote for or abide by a man that allows his own employees to flat out degrade associates like that. Since there is a growing number of individuals who seem to come across a similar situation maybe a statement needs to be made. Bloomberg wants to be mayor again, maybe he should side those of us that need his help and damn the disreputable firms, otherwise we'll have to find someone who will.
you can take the job, but you leave me my monkey!
Paul Hastings is next. Meeting was held last week in New York for all partners.
Lim Ricker does it again! You are surpassing expectations.
62: Don't most major firms have periodic all-partner meetings just as a matter of course?
Milbank apparently did not engage in "layoffs" which is a term used by Walmart, Costco and other lower-class retailers when they fire people. No, these are "staff adjustments" which should make all of those attorneys and staff who no longer are employed at Milbank feel much better.
Is Reed Smith next? They've been doing the 'ole stealth layoffs and associate smearing, have they come clean and announced layoffs yet?
What the hell is the Willkie poster's comment about? Inquiring minds want to know.
ty, 63.
The Lim Ricker
25 -- a year and two months happened.
It's only just begun. Just wait until the real fun begins. PE will wet his pants, then lick them dry.
Mr. Bloomberg seems to rely heavily on Wilkie and if I get the meaning right why not make him chose a firm to be his "in house" that doesn't partake in this underhanded firings
Latham is NOT next. Latham's had its layoffs already. Nothing to see here, move on.
56/60: You wrote, "Its understandable that in a bad economy that belts have to be tightened but to have the outright GALL to place the blame on the associates who have worked 80 hour weeks and worked through weekends for you, just to stamp them with "sub-par" is outrageous."
What if they worked 80 hours a week but it was all sub-par? You're not seriously suggesting that associates should be spared under the "A for effort" rule are you?
(Of course, if you have been fired, and you did do good work, I feel for you. I agree that it hurts to be told that you "suck" when really you may just be the lowest layer of very rich cream. It's like, e.g., finding out that you were the last guy in your class at YHS. It must feel lousy, and you would properly be considered "the worst" in your class and therefore "bad"-- but it's not like you were some kind of dummy. It's just that relative comparison jumped up and bit you in the butt.)
Anyone know how many attys were laid off in each office? Milbank is mostly NYC, but has offices in DC and LA too.
To: 60/71 - Regarding WiLLkie -- you keep misspelling the name of the firm... something tells me you don't really have inside information.
Fire 50 associates seven days before you bring in 50 summers.
Lunacy. Bet those kids are going to be welcomed with open arms by surviving Milbank junior associates.
Nice work Limp Dicker. You made me snicker.
WHAT IS GOING ON AT BRYAN CAVE????
@73--all your blathering is only distracting you from the axe headed at *your* neck.
79 -- No, I think it calls attention to how vulnerable we all are, myself included.
-73
yw, 68
- 63
Handjobs and steak lunches for SAs
Pink slips for first years
Gotta love this profession!
first!
Can anyone give a breakdown of who was particularly hard hit?
Milbank was my first temp job. I wonder if the associates I worked for were let go . . . *sigh.
The crackhead earlier commenter notwithstanding, Willkie has been doing stealth "performance-based" layoffs for at least the past year or so.
56/60 = sub par Wilkie Farr Gallagher associate fired for poor performance and unhelathy obsession with mayor Bloomberg.
78: Spill the beans. Somethings going down at Bryan Cave?
Willkie fired attorneys in the '91 recession; Willkie will fire attorneys in this recession, too. Its just the type of firm that Willkie is.
Were there any cuts in the international offices? Were the partners civil as they claim to be about the layoffs?
58,
PE may be weak because Lat called from the Phillipines and told Elie to phase him out. One never knows.
86, believe it or not, sometimes people really do get fired for performance based reasons. It's not ALL some big conspiracy (despite what elie would have you believe).
These layoffs serve as further proof that the deferred associates will NOT be starting in January, or ever.
The ship be sinking...
62- They're gearing up for something. The drums have stopped beating and there is no work!
62:
No one is getting laid off once the SA's get here....chill out.
How Cooleyesque
96: That will not stop them from picking people off by ones and twos. This has become a moving target and we are all sitting ducks.
Where is the Dow is Up Guy??
99-He's certifying his unemployment benefits.
Some first years were cut
101 - how many? and from which practice groups?
96, I agree with 98. This place is more thoughtless (and considerably less well-run) than the other places I've been. The cat's already out of the bag, so they have no reason not to continue picking people off by ones and twos throughout the summer, especially to gild the turd that must be the books right now.
56/60 - "in house council"?
No wonder you were fired.
This comment is addressed to the buffoon that wrote post no. 96.
Apparently you are unfamiliar with the psychological factor of part one of my hybrid tough love package. Terminating associates instills fear and drives the remaining associates to work harder in the face of a dour economy that is claiming casualties on the unemployment line. Do you really think peer firms care what summer associates will think? Summer associates are a dime a dozen. There will be summer associates as long as summers continue to come by every year.
one hundred sixth!!!!!!!!
THEY HAVE FIRED FIRST YEARS! THAT UPDATE IS INCORRECT. THEY HAVE FIRED 6 SO FAR INCLUDING A FOREIGNER WHO NOW HAS TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY.
from a law student perspective: S&C lays off first-years, calls it performance based; Milbank leaves the first-years alone, blames the economy. Guess who I'd rather interview with in the fall?
I really get pissed off at douche bags like 92. Asshole, when a firm fires 25 associates at one time because their performance was awful especially since there is not enough work for them, that does not a performance-based layoff make. Not to mention S&C first-year associates that have been working for 6 months staffing doc-review projects have somehow been classified as not up to-par.
You're an even bigger loser than CWT and OMM put together. Fuck off.
All layoffs are "performance based" - unless the firm is liquidating or shutting down an entire office.
108: Thompson Hine? They're pretty much S&C.
*snickers*
yeah good luck to the 89 people i hope use all find new and better ASAP. Good luck
This will clearly negatively affect the elite firm of Bong, Pipes, and Weed.
Milbank definitely fired first years (107's number sounds right) -- check your source ATL
Compliments, 103! In PH's attempt to break into the top 15, they rushed into Chicago, Milan, Frankfurt etc. while simultaneously expanding their China offices. Add to that an outrageously inflated rate structure, vanishing inv. bank clients, over hiring of first years, slowing corporate, re, labor and litigation and you have the paradigm of a perfect biglaw shit storm. The sad fact is that the associates will take the hit for management's overweening ambitions, of course, under the guise of "poor performance."
44 - If all it takes is cage-fighting to get an offer this summer, I'm set!
-CLS 2L Stud
66 - Reed Smith next ? Do you have some reason to believe that 3 rounds of mass layoffs isn't where they're stopping ? News to me !
66 - Reed Smith next ? Do you have some reason to believe that 3 rounds of mass layoffs isn't where they're stopping ? News to me !
willkie is doing stealth layoffs. so stealth, ATL posters can't even spell the firm's name right. (but seriously -- they're on.)
Is something going on at Bryan Cave????? Someone tell us please? We are asking. Bryan Cave conducted layoffs back in February so what is going on? Spill the beans already????????
Is something going on at Bryan Cave????? Someone tell us please? We are asking. Bryan Cave conducted layoffs back in February so what is going on? Spill the beans already????????
Latham will conduct stealth layoffs within 2 weeks. You heard it here first.
I am safe, biatches.
Was litigation and IP hard hit too? Does anyone know any details?
Latham is old news. What is going on at Bryan Cave? We would have heard already if either of these firms were conducting layoffs again.
Summer programs are about to begin, they would never do this while summers are in place and working. It looks bad for the firm.
Spill the beans already! Anyone know?
How is it that CLS and stud made into the same post, much less within the context of cagefighting? I am extremely confused.
How is it that CLS and stud made it into the same post, much less within the context of cagefighting? I am extremely confused.
this sounds about inline with the reports from mcdermott's nyc office.
if you are working at any of the above named firms, you will be even more confused if you don't listen to what is being said here and you are one of the employees that are on the list to be axed.
Most of the firms that have been named on the ATL layoff watch and have been correct. McDermott had layoff already as well as the other two firms listed above. What is going on? Are the firms checking the numbers for the second quarter and are now gearing up for more layoffs? Someone in the know, let us know!
so much for the "milbank promise"....
Milbank has been taking the stealth route with layoffs for quite a few months now, particularly in its project finance area. and yes, they seem to have been concentrating quite a bit on the foreign attorney's in their new york office because they are not the ones who they think are going to stick around permanently, s why not get rid of them now (probably true). i think milbank was one of the few nyc firms to activilely recruit in the boom times from british commonwealth countries like australia, and now they are getting rid of them.
good luck to all
Does anyone have news on the rumoured PHJW merger? Last I heard, they were talking to 2-3 other firms.
128 - PHJW's 1st (fiscal yr) quarter just ended. Needless to say, we are all terrified here.
uh... yeah, they definitely fired first years.
Everyone is terrified. Who's safe at any firm these days. What the hell is going to happen. There aren't many jobs out there now and every week it gets worse because there are more and more people being let go from firms. If your firm eliminates your job today, you are up against all the others from last week. Next week, you are up against all the other that were let go this week, and so on, and so on and so on.
There may be jobs out there, but they will try to chew you down to the bone as far as salary, benefits, etc. You are also up against about 100 applicants for the same position. We are all screwed.
The new class coming in that are offered packages due to deferral dates have it better than us.
Sooner or later, the greedy cocksuckers will need to take a hit on PPP. They will consume themselves.
130: Something is bound to leak out. Rumours are flying in the PH LA office.
So milbank fired 7 first years and this goes unreported? come on ellie, get on this!
So milbank fired 7 first years and this goes unreported? come on ellie, get on this!
By no means is Kirkland a follower of Milbank. That's laughable. What IS worrisome for Kirkland associates is that Schulte, another really profitable firm, went the salary cut route. That means it may well happen at Kirkland.
Kirkland is a firm of assholes so i don't doubt they will screw their own.
139 must be a Skadden associate.
Hughes Hubbard just had stealth layoffs where the associates laid off were given notice but no severance. By bringing this public, ATL could actually advocate for associates yet ATL is M.I.A.
However, ATL is perfectfully happy to report salary cuts thereby encouraging other firms to follow suit and hurt associates.
This used to be a blog that advocated for associates and not partners. Under liberal Elie, it now advocates for the man.
115 - Exactly. Adding to your list, even IP is slow at my office. I can't wait to see what happens, but I hate to have skin in the game.
--103
Hate to break it to you but yes, first year associates were laid off at Milbank.
first years have been fired. check your facts.
116, aka CLS Stud,
Not to burst your bubble, but I do not believe Cooley Law Students are ever considered for summer associate jobs. However, contact your undergrad institution and you may be able to T.A. a business law class, or at least audit it. Just trying to help.
Just wondering, what is your bar passage rate at The Cooley Law School?
124, SHUT TO FUCK UP. You are a dirty asshole and your mom is a crackwhore.
latham will be laying off people soon and it is not old news to people who will be laid off.
Let's be honest for one second here. If you were remotely pulling your weight, and good looking you wouldn't be laid off. Everyone needs to understand, those of us who were physically gifted with high cheek-bones and well-defined jaws are in better shape than everyone else. If you were hot, you would still have your job. Sucks to be ugly!
Good luck to all of those who just got Milbanged. I hope each of you finds something soon that is, in many ways, more rewarding than your previous job, if not in terms of compensation, then in terms of loyalty and job satisfaction.
What's happening at Bryan Cave, you say? I couldn't really tell. I was chained to a wall in a very dark room. There was a fire burning in the center of the room that cast light on the far wall. The only thing I could see was the shadows of people and things passing by. The whole experience gave rise to some really deep and powerful thoughts about the meaning of life, but not much else.
149--
You are such a douche. The Allegory of the Cave. How original. On behalf of those who enjoy working in the Cave, I suggest you fuck off.
HTH
How many first years did Milbank lay off? Which practice group were they in? We need some real reporting, since Ellis dropped the ball on this.
I have friends who were first years at milbank who were laid off.
As others have mentioned, the update saying that first years were not affected is not true. I don't know how many, but there were definitely some first years who were laid off. It seems that the second year class was the hardest hit. In terms of practice groups, I'm pretty sure that 7 M&A (out of 30 total) and 11 litigation people got the axe.
I was an SA w one of the 1st years at Milbank at another firm (my current), he was a pretty crappy SA and didn't get an offer from my firm.
Hanging on firstie
6 first years laid off? This is horrible news for incoming associates, who now have an even smaller chance of actually starting with the firm. Notice that the language of the email said that "we look forward to welcoming you NEXT YEAR", with no mention of January. They will defer us again....count on it.
I'm really suprised that they laid off first years in this economy. And maybe 1-3 of them really did suck, but there is no way 6 of them deserved to get fired.
I was "let go" from Milbank in 2001 during "cutbacks." Two months later, they opened their woebegone Palo Alto office. This was much to my chagrin, as I was not exactly pleased to see my salary go to an SV office AFTER the tech bust. MTHM has never done anything logically. Consider that the HR chair looks like Skeletor, the chair looks like he was dipped in paraffin because of too much botox, and they treat good performers like garbage. All I can say is, karma is a bitch.
156,
You're saying karma bit you in the ass?
Sucks to be you, dude.
~A safe Skadden associate
Bryan Cave? More Layoffs?
check your facts on first years
check your facts on first years
check your facts on first years
check your facts on first years
I know first year got laid off
156 - interesting point. There's something about Milbank TTTweed's cultural DNA that's "fundamentally corrupt" (sexism, racism, lack of integrity and ethics etc)...
Milbank billable hours are down 20% compared with 2008 in the first quarter of 2009. I will not be surprised if more get slashed.