$50 says they don't Latham their first years. Only crap garbage firms Latham first years.

As a partner at Kirkland and Ellis, all I can say is...

THIS IS EXCELLENT NEWS FOR JOHN MCCAIN!

What's wrong with laying off first years? They cost more money for a firm than the work they actually produce. I guess we might feel bad as first years, but it makes financial sense. Perhaps you should become less of an egotistical shithead and recognize that firms have to behave intelligently as well.

They might be second years by the time performance reviews roll around. All those firms frightened to layoff first years now can lay off those same untrained and underworked minions via the now moved up "performance review."

FIRST to say the ship be sinkin'

靶垛龙虾
oh yeah. I said it, Kash. But in CHINESE...

Obama's vision of America's economy will continue to generate "Spring" cleaning in every season at most peer and non-peer firms. Folks think of this image: You were just terminated a few weeks ago. You are depressed. Job interviews are scarce. Yet, hope is on the horizon as your president works arduously to solve our economic woes. However, first he must have a few beers with professor Gates and a Cambridge cop. I guess Obama must have the economy under control. Rejoice, your messiah has delivered.

Why is this such a bad thing, should firms cut out all the shitty associates every year anyway? I mean, if I'm paying Kirkland rates, I want Kirkland caliber attorneys, and if they've got people hanging around that aren't hacking it up to their standards, they should get rid of them, bad economy or not.

F!R$T to say legalize cannabis, it will help the economy. And prevent Kirkland & Ellis layoffs.

Is the verb "Latham" or "Lathamize" ? I have seen it both ways

I'm losing count, but isn't this the fourth or fifth time that ATL has reported imminent layoffs at Kirkland? This time might be right, sure, but boy crying wolf isn't that great.

All K&E is doing is cutting the crappy associates who would have been cut during the normal performance review. They're the ones sitting on their asses all day doing nothing. I don't think people who have been working there are going to be shocked by who's being let go.

When are all you folks going to realize that the future for law students and associates at mid to large law firms is grim. The days of high salaries relative to other grad degress is over. The days of BigLaw are over, at least for the law students who aspire to be BigLaw associates. The legal world is changing faster than the law firms and their consultants can keep pace. The firms are behind the curve, which means that there are a lot more reductions of pay, attorneys, and staff to come. The jobs won't be coming back, either. When the economy picks up, the vacant positions will be filled with temps and offshore attorneys. I would well and truly hate to be a law student or a young associate at this point in time, particularly with BigLaw in my picture. Forget the bar exam, what good is a bar exam if there aren't any decent paying jobs with a little job security.

cunts

There are two more things that the mainstream media does NOT want you to know:

(1) Burlington Coat Factory is NOT really a factory.

(2) In the mid-1990s, C&C Music Factory was cited for multiple violations of OSHA laws and local child labor laws. It therefore ceased operations and never produced another record.

Wake up and smell the cat food people, and question the answers.

Yours,
Nick Nolte

9

If you're paying Kirkland rates and getting Kirkland caliber attorneys, you're getting screwed in more ways than one.

There are many solo practitioners and insurance defense firms that will do a much better job than K&E and for less cash.

11:

The verb is To Latham, but the past present participate is lathamized, i.e. I have been lathamized. Or, let's lathamize these associates.

I latham
You latham
He lathams
We latham
They lathamize.

Looks like another peer firm will be Lathamizing its associates.

Now would be a good time to be networking outside the K&E axis.

How you like me now?

FIRST to say: PE, your mom should have swallowed you.

Still trying to decipher 16....

Yo lathamo
El lathama
ellos lathaman
tu lathamas
nosotros lathamos

11:
Quick footnote to 18:
Please note that the British spell the past participle with an "s", i.e., "they lathamise". (The Canandians accept both U.S. and British spellings, however.)

8 = PE

they were going to, but were interrupted by an urgent message from HQ ordering them to fire more associates.

this led to a bizarre scene on the streets of new york as latham partners walked around cardozo and other area law schools, telling desperate-looking 3Ls that they had been hired. you should have seen their joy and relief, or the way the burdens of uncertainty over healthcare and mortgages and student loan debts lifted off their brows.

then we led them directly into a conference room where they signed their contracts and became latham employees. as they exited to take up positions at their desks, they were shoved back into the conference room and told that their performance had been lackluster, and that, as a result, they would be fired.

security then tazed and beat them with truncheons "just in case," and they were hauled out and cast onto 3rd Avenue.

this went on all day; about 3,100 people were fired. latham made it very clear that the number of layoffs "MUST exceed the toll of 9/11."

14 = frustrated failure in life. Why do so many non-elite law students and lawyers visit this blog? Almost nothing written here applies to them. Are you just here for Schadenfreude, to delight in the suffering of your betters?

Latham clients can feel secure knowing they're paying Latham rates for the son of a Latham partner who failed the bar exam.

I love the smell of Schadenfreude in the morning. Smells like burning gasoline on plastic.

Mystal, I'm gunna pound your titties with my Alabama Black Trouser Snake, uh huh.

To PE: probably not the first time you heard it, but your mom should have flushed the toilet the day you came out

Alabama Black Trouser Snakes are notoriously short as in less than two inches. Do you think Mystal would be intimidated by that?

If you don't bill any hours or you do crappy work, should you really be surprised when your review is bad? In the past, getting rid of bad associates wasn't called a layoff. It was just part of operating a law firm.

26 for the win.

In other news, Ballard is alleged to have done mid year "performance reviews" (for the first time ever this year). Can anyone confirm the number of layoffs involved?

What K&E should really do is get rid of that midget David Bernick. That guy is a douche. Forget cutting associates.

23, I believe it's Nosotros Lathamamos

Kirkland has already conducted significant layoffs firmwide this year. So has Winston. So has Mayer. Why do firms publicly announce layoffs when firms such as these get away with mass layoffs that go unreported?

27-

Yes....

*smirk*

@32 - Mystal, you and I both know thats not true. Don't be frightened, you might even like it.

26 = law student. Associates don't sign contracts.

37 is spot on. All of the Chicago firms have done significant stealth layoffs over the past year while not ending up on ATL. For once, the NY centric-ness of the blog and legal media worked in their favor.

39

Hard to be frightened or intimidated or even like something smaller than Vienna sausages.

How do you explain to the women your abnormally small nubbin?

Can someone translate number 7's post

Ellis sounds close to Elie. No wonder this firm sucks.

Oh no, what will partners do with their mortgages on properties in the Hamptons, their divorce settlement obligations, their high maintenance spouses, their offspring's private school fees, and their yachts/Bentleys/[insert any other toy here] when there are no more associates to cut?

What 38 said

43 - yes.
that reads, "I'm a pretentious twat."

43 - yes.
that reads, "I'm a pretentious twat."

43 - according to Google Translate, "Target stack lobster".

New here. What does Lathamize mean?

Effects of overdosing on alcohol: severe vomiting, eventually death.
Effects of overdosing on Tylenol: severe pain, eventually death.

Cost of manufacturing cannabis for yourself... pennies per dose.

Reason cannabis is illegal? Big Pharma is one of the most powerful lobbies in the world, and would rather see our jails full of innocent people then lose $$$ off their bottom line. Cheap cannabis would immediately displace much of Big Pharma's expensive medicines, including pain medicine, anti-nausea medicine, glaucoma medicine, insomnia medicine, and scores if not hundreds of other treatments.

Big industry (including Pharma, Timber, and Oil) was behind the push to make "marijuana" illegal, if you look at the power, connections, and ownership behind the national newspaper monopolies that ran racist stories about violent, minority "marijuana" users in the 1920's to scare the public into supporting banning hemp. Our Founding Fathers grew hemp and it has been used since time immemorial. From clothing to paper to oil to medicine, it is one of the most useful and cost-effective plants known to man. Big Pharma and Alcohol are contributors to the "Partnership for a Drug Free America". They have a key interest in making sure the people's drugs stay illegal while their drugs stay legal. They inundate your children with propaganda and use your elected representatives to keep hold of that interest.

- 50

Keep it up, Blamah! Great news.

43 - put 7 into http://babelfish.yahoo.com/

45: with over 250,000 children dying of poverty each year and with 3 billion people living on less than $2.50 a day, we can only hope those partners get rid of some of their excesses . . .

16 - Cannibis is not yet legal. Put down the bong.

And Burlington Coat Factory sells puppy fur coats

http://www.hsus.org/furfree/news/press_releases/burlington_coat_factory_dupes.html

45

No worries. K&E will just increase their rates, cut the pay of associates, flog both associates and staff to increase morale all the while increasing the workload.

If you can make it in this hell on earth, you'll make a fine K&E partner.

50 Latham(ize) is letting go of first year associates . Though other firms have followed, Latham did it first

Effects of overdosing on cannabis: laughing too much, eventually perhaps going to sleep.

- 51

I don't understand why people say these are "stealth" layoffs. So say Kirkland needs to get rid of 10% associates because there isn't enough work (because of economny). How else should they get rid of 10%? Random lottery? No, you conduct reviews and get rid of the bottom performers. I would hate to break it to all the associates out there but at a firm Kirkland's size, the people making firing decisions are not familiar with the work product of all associates and need performance reviews. If you are an associate getting in the bottom 10% of reviews, well, then you should go home.

what about the dickstein shapiro layoffs?

59 -
. . . or be somebody's son or kiss up to the hardest slavedriver or lie about everyone else or . . . or . . . yeah, performance reviews are oh so objective . . . keep sipping your champange and telling yourself that. . .

Van Winkle ain't laying off *no one*.

The Paul Hastings layoff list is all set and ready to go. Affected offices include LA, NY, ATL, SF and DC.

60 said "dickstein" LOL

61, a performance review does not have to be 100% objective to be effective enough to do the job.

Sorry that nobody liked you and you got laid off with a tiny pink slip, bro. Keep on whining and maybe the waaambulance will arrive sooner.

Sullivan & WOrcester ... anyone ...

59 - because they disclaim the economy had anything to do with those layoffs. They try to pass them off as purely performance-based, when everyone knows that those same associates would not be fired in different times.

More importantly, it screws those associates over. They can't rightly claim that it was an economy-driven layoff if they're told it was purely performance-based. As if it isn't hard enough for those who are laid off, the firm trying to save face by pretending they are not as affected by the "downturn" as other firms at the cost of real people's lives rightly makes some people angry.

Sullivan & Worcester ... anyone ...

Check out the complaints at Northern District Illinois against Kirkland. Former employees say that their cell phone calls were intercepted and monitored.

Hans--bubby--I'm your white knight!

One Term Wonder

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

65, not laid-off, just annoyed that people like you completely distort the truth. simply unfair that firms can blame "poor performance" of someone who works 80 hours a week and was always told they did good work simply because the economy has exploded and the partners can't bring in enough work. Any mature lawyer would accept "economic reasons" for a lay-off, but calling it "poor performance" is just silly in most cases. Just because you're full of bile doesn't mean that those of us who still have jobs cannot have a heart and feel sorry for kicking people out the door for economic reasons and then telling them--and the world--on their way out that they were no good anyway. Pathetic.

mamma se mamma sa mammakoosa

Latham partners Lathamized hundreds of associates, and all they got was this lousy severance.

69--got a link?

Also if this is true, then whoever approved this practice at K&E violated the Illinois wiretap act and might face some serious disciplinary violations, including disbarment. I'm shocked this isn't being made into a bigger issue.

Layoffs??? Thanks Obama.

Too bad, so sad. There will always be some good jobs available through Obama's stimulus package, the shovel ready kind.

I LOVE how these laid off Latham first and second years who are infesting this board, think that their usage of words such as "lathamize" will make any difference whatsoever to Latham! Losers, there was a reason your asses were canned and once things up pick up, top students will once again flock to Latham, like thye always have. So essentially you were the only persons ever who were ever Lathamized or that will care that you were Lathamized.

Have a good day!

Looks like some K&E folks will be shown the door. It's a tough economy. Must be disconcerting for those taking the bar to know that they will almost certainly be fired if they fail.

69, 75, is Wilford Brimley head of security there or what?

70- Whoa, take it easy, this is radio, not TV!

35-

I worked with Bernick for eight months on a trial. Not as bad a douche as I'd heard, but not a stunning example of humane behavior. However, he's a seriously amazing lawyer, about 40 times better than anyone else I've ever worked with...including myself.

78 is bang on...

Wow, ATL is publishing unsubstatiated rumors about Kirkland & Ellis! That never happens!

i am so happy that this country is going to crap. infation, recession, war, poverty growing, more shootings than ever. I love watch you and the rest of the world go thru a slow death.

Lucifer.

85 - from which law firm do you bill your hours?

Once again, Elie is full of shit.

"Kirkland and Ellis has moved up its annual review process by 2-3 months. "

Last year, associates were reviewed on the year from July 1 to June 30. This year, associates are being reviewed on the year from July 1 to June 30.

Last year, the review process begin (associates submitted their list of reviewers) in July, same as this year.

Last year, I received my review on October 14. This year, they are shooting for September (note that in order to be moved up 3 months, we'd have to have received our reviews weeks ago).

The only thing different is that we'll be left waiting to hear about our reviews for ONE MONTH less.

7.
Kash del culo de langosta
I couldn't make out the Chinese.. Google translate sucks and I read Chinese at a preschool level.

86 - PH

Thanx
85

85, 89 - what a surprise and relief, I had always assumed you were active in most every firm!
-86

Since we are discussing layoffs, the Dept. of Labor has released last week's unemployment numbers. Apparently, change arrived for 25,000 new claimants last week. I suggest these newly unemployed folks tune in to see our august leader have a beer with a racist professor and clueless cop who is being taken advantage of for a shameful photo-op. Perhaps that will inspire audacity and hope.

You use a gun, I use a foutain pen. What's the difference?

What percentage of associates has Sidley cut so far?

75 - See Bowden v. Kirkland & Ellis 07 CV 0975 - PACER site for N.D. Ill. Just filed another amended complaint.

Also, Gagen v. Kirkland & Ellis 07 CV 097- PACER site for N.D. Ill. Ditto.

They say they got AT&T network records from a subpoena.

Answers are due on August 12 by the mighty Kirkland.

Non-performance based layoffs at Kirkland started a couple of months back. That's when they canned the best associate in the D.C. office for shooting off his mouth at one of that office's most obnoxious, pretentious middle managers. If that happened, anything can happen. But count yourself lucky if you go - the douchbags being groomed for leadership at the firm are substantially worse than the current managers, and once they grind the office into the ground you will have been better off for leaving years before, with your youth and integrity.

What 95 said....

90 no prob. i work for a bunch of pendejos here.

85

76: You're very welcome. But, this isn't about me. I have great health insurance.

I'm Barack Obama?

64 what was funny in regards to the dickstein shapiro layoffs?

Anybody on here know of where I can get a good anal bleaching before my big weekend?

Tom Colliton

There are going to be MAJOR cuts to 1st, 2nd and 3rd years associates at Kirkland.

- someone in the know

NYC to 200K?

Now that the children have gone back to school, I expect that there will be a lot more of this sort of thing in big law.

Ich lathame
Du lathamst
Er/sie/es lathamt
Wir lathamen
Ihr lathamt
Sie lathamen.

Lathamo
Lathamas
Lathamat
Lathamamus
Lathamatis
Lathamant.

Will bleaching be covered by Obamacare?

Enough Die Hard. It was funny the first time, only.
Enough PE. No one buys it.
More british slang-- PE is a twat, bang on, there's a lad.
We should all start saying "twat" more often, along with "cock-watcher," especially in the context of PE.
"Fucktard" and "mouth-breather" have been retired.

I wonder what the children of partners would think if they knew what their parents actually do . . .

97: I think I know you. You're in PH's NY office, right?

Hey 105, Die Hard remains funny. Quit being such a fucktard mouth-breather.

106--

Probably hug and kiss their parents, like they normally do. This is business people. When the economic tanks, people get laid off, usually the people at the bottom of the ladder. Associates, by definition, are at the bottom of the ladder.

I've said this before, but I'll say it again. Why is it so hard lawyers (especially young ones) to understand that the goal of law firms is to make money, lots of it. When profits shrink, people get laid off, just like an investment bank or hedge fund. If you don't like this, or can't accept it, go work for the government. Recent MBA grads seem to understand this, why can't lawyers?

Oh yeah, its probably because most young attorneys have an over-inflated sense of self worth and entitlement. Welcome to the world kiddies.

108, please kindly apologise to 105 for being barking mad and naughty as a schoolboy.

I call BS on this one until I see further evidence.

The review process is being held the same time as every year. The process itself is also the same as last year.

The firm is also doing very well compared to others - big litigation cases, lots of bankruptcy cases, and even a number of corporate people are decently busy.

I'll be realistic - is there room to trim the fat? Sure, of course there is, and I can only speak for one office (New York). But, if this went down as deep as some are predicting, it would truly come as a shock to many of us here.

PE @ 91:

Your not making your point as well as you could. DOL reports a 25,000 uptick. 584,000 tasted "change."

"In the week ending July 25, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 584,000, an increase of 25,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 559,000."

Sidley's tally please.

associates of the world unite! the first week of September is hereby "associate strike week"! show partners what there future is without us! anyway, why worry about getting fired as recent history has suggested that it truly is sadistic lottery to determine who's chopped next. why can't we pull together and show the partners the mistake they're making before they annihilate any chance we have of recovering our dignity and paying off our student loans!!

I can only speak for Sidley Chicago, but their associate headcount has dropped from about 300-310 down to around 260 in the last six months. Maybe some of that is natural attrition... but in this economy, I highly doubt it.

The stock market just hit a 2009 high, thanks to another "Obama Bump."

How long should historians wait to deem the Bush/Cheney administration the worst ever? (NOTE: I'm a Republican--a real one, not a Glenn Beck one)

Also, GM's Jack Welch used to preach the virtues of culling 10% of his work force every year to maintain top quality talent. K&E should be applauded for making cuts based (at least in significant part) on performance reviews, instead of freaking out in February and laying off hundreds (including first-years who had never been reviewed) like many firms did. And contrary to opinions above, (1) if layoffs are coming, I've never heard K&E say they were "solely" attributable to "poor performance"--on the contrary, it seems obvious that any layoffs will be largely market-driven; and (2) no mass stealth layoffs have already occurred (yes, some people were let go during the year, but that happens every year; I don't know a single person who's been let go in the past year).

Less work requires fewer workers. I wish we could all keep our jobs, but that's asking a lot of a for-profit firm.

114 - stupid idea at first blush, but dude, what a way to get attention, and actually just might work. Imagine my boss having to actually read the documents--that would get his attention. I'm in--who else?

Why does ATL/Elie hate Kirkland? This is rumor post number 3. The previous 2 turned out to be false. For no other firm does ATL so zealously report on rumors. One of the sources you cite sent you a message in ALL-CAPS; how credible could they be. Plus these rumors are speculating as to layoffs in the next few weeks, not in the coming days. Why doesn't ATL/Elie just wait to before layoffs actually happen and then post.

82 - depends on what you think makes a good lawyer. I have worked both with him and against him on cases. All the man does is lie. I guess he is a good lawyer in that he gets away with it, but in my opinion, he is everything wrong with civil litigation.

His litigation strategy is to lie, berate, file frivilous motions, and use his clients unending pile of money to get results.

There is not a single ethical bones in the man's small little body.

Thanks 115. So about a 15% downsizing at Sidley. What were the criteria for deciding who was kept on?

I plan on starting my own firm after I pass the bar. Screw big law and all the suckasses.

121
very, very good luck to you. I hope you're incredibly successful, and good luck on passing the bar. Don't let any desperate biglaw lawyer ever get to you. best of luck! we need more like you!

119,

How did you come to work both for and against said associate?

Agree with 118. Why not wait until layoffs actually happen instead of just spreading fear among associates. Most people are already scared.

Besides, its not like proving a breaking scope on law-firm layoffs is exactly pulitzer worthy. Its not like breaking a Washington scandal or something.

What 78 said.

114/117 - I hope you do this, it will make it so much easier for the partners to figure out the next two saps to go.

Also, ATL, you need to get a copy of this firing list and publish it without redactions. Let the public decide.

78 = Latham beeeeeotch.

Lat, you are not blameless. Why do you allow Fat Elie to make the same stupid mistakes over and over and over again?

Spreckense talk?

126, so if you had been on the Titanic, I assume you'd be in one of the lifeboats with three other people while you left the rest behind? Quality.

cadwalader sean was right. everyone else was just acting the fool.

123 - he is a partner and I have worked as co-counsel on a case and as adverse counsel on a case. Didn't think that would be too hard to follow.

man, i wish i knew about this blog in law school so i could have avoided $100K in debt, losing three years of my life and being unemployed! i believed them when they told me that law firms didn't fire, that they all had collegial atmospheres and that there was a trend to focus more on quality of life. wow, i'm really dumb because actually was willing to believe that lawyers were honest and were telling the truth!

PE - is he still alive? Yawn.

Thorn: I know, Sol, you've told me a hundred times before. People were better, the world was better...

Sol: Ah, people were always lousy... But there was a world, once.

[Thorn chuckles]

Sol: I was there, I can prove it! When I was a kid, you could buy meat anywhere! Eggs they had, real butter! Not this... crap!

119 probably lateral or went in house or worked for the government and ended up against the guy. Duh.

69/75/94: Tammi Bowden is a crazy woman. She worked at Kirkland for a number of years as a secretary with mad word processing skills but one of the worst attitudes a person could possibly have. She was one of the "overtime whores," who lived her life in the office, making a ton of money. It is reported that in the year before she was fired she made somewhere around $160K due to the heavy O.T. hours. Tammi got pissed off because she wasn't allowed to go on a major trial (mega O.T. hours, natch) and began berating and intimidating people, which was her strong suit. She screamed at and threatened the wrong people, and wound up with a pink slip for her trouble. Those of us who know her were surprised an ANGRY BLACK WOMAN with a really loud mouth and lack of judgment finally got her due. She teamed up with a few other fired word processors, met some goofball lawyer who agreed to take her case, and voila -- the rest is history.

I'm no defender of K&E, but how do you suppose they managed to "intercept" Tammi's cell phone calls? The woman is looking for an easy pay day.

Are all of you Latham-obsessed jerk-offs naive enough to believe that the rest of the world shares your outrage about that firm? No one else cares, I promise. I guarantee that top students from top law schools are still willing to claw each other's eyes out for a spot in Latham's summer associate program.

99% of all laid off associates are Kirkland quality, Latham quality, etc. If you keep your job don't assume it was because you are a better attorney, it is because you are lucky enough to work for a partner who is bringing in work. Just about any moron can do doc review or enter changes into a contract. You just happen to be getting some hours and other associates are not. It is the partners fault for not bringing in business, not the associates work quality, that is why they are "stealth layoffs." Back in good times when there was plenty of work to go around a layoff was probably due to the associate not being that good and was not a stealth layoff.

Low traffic for ATL this week? Better run a K&E layoff rumor!

137--crazy or not that doesn't excuse a firm from violating the wiretapping law. I'm surprised the ARDC isn't investigating this situation as well. From a bar perspective, condoning any illegality is a horrid thing.

@51: sell crazy somewhere else; we're all stocked up here.

Would these layoffs be necessary if these big firms hadn't inflated their associate ranks with foreign citizen hires?

143, where's your brain?

Apparently non-U.S. citizens make up 20-25% of associates at some big law firms. Maybe the country should reconsider its immigration policies.

where on earth did you get those statistics?!?! simply not true. are you even in a law firm? seriously cannot believe you are if you think that's the case.

Quit law school and sign up instead for b-school. Either that or go complete your master's in engineering, whatever.

Quit law school and sign up instead for b-school. Either that or go complete your master's in engineering, whatever.

146 - Take a look at the associates directory at some big firms.

What is a master's in engineering going to do for you??

143 - specifics please. you've got it all wrong

143, in fact, i'll make it easy for you. name five big firms in the usa where non-us citizens make up 20-25% of the associates in their us offices. if you can't, stop making such ridiculous generalizations

Engineering jobs are being outsourced and domestic salaries are under intense downward price pressure.

All the money is in healthcare. I should have been a doctor, 250K, respect and no layoffs.

All the money is in healthcare. I should have been a doctor, 250K, respect and no layoffs.

138 Actually, no, top students are not running to Latham. Why would they? ..... only if they had NO other choices or were crazy enough to believe that the firm 's culture changed . Do you? Dont forget, most firms did not fire first years,

152, are you a foreign citizen working as a lawyer in the United States?

156, sadly, I think the reality is that graduating law students are be so saddled with debt that they will ignore what firms have shown they are capable of doing and allow themselves to be seduced by the law firm machine that has been sucking the souls and dreams of bright, young professionals for decades. I really wished that the terms "culture" and "work/life balance" meant something other than HR labels for attracting attention.

157 - no

It's amazing how defensive some of the foreigners on this board are.

It's a simple fact that when times are tough there seems to be a tendency to hire within the U.S. With an unemployment rate nearing 10% nationwide and across the city, hiring in the US should and must be done from within.

What good is America sending aid and money to foreign countries if we cannot even take care of ourselves.

who on earthy are you compaining about? 144, 146, 151, 152 and 157 is a U.S. citizen. either point out examples of your ridiculous generalizations or stop with the anti-foreigner rhetoric.

160, yeah, I totally agree with you. You should check the link below to see how other people agree with you.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6610212795155043011

First off, I love the use of "Lathamize!"

Second, I don't think that the affected first years in my office "deserved" to be fired. They deserved to be mentored. The folks in my office had "attitude problems/short fuses" and/or the unfortunate "luck" to work for partners who were junior, and didn't have big books of business. This meant that their partners, even though they probably didn't go to bat for them, didn't have any pull when they were asked to go to bat for them.

That is all.

And I really do think that the people who cannot empathize with trumped-up performance reviews don't have their heads screwed on right.

IT COULD BE YOU. YOU ARE NOT IMMUNE. NO MATTER HOW INDISPENSABLE YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE. BETTER FUND YOUR 6 MONTH EMERGENCY FUND...YOU MIGHT NEED IT SOONER THAN YOU THINK!!!

I thought racist caricatures were frowned upon on this website, 162.

You, my friend, are a bigot.

Does Kirkland and Ellis have an office in Coatesville, PA? Otherwise, I've never heard of them.

This would never happen at Paul Hastings. We are too "stealth" to allow our layoffs to appear on ATL.

137 - If Tammy Bowden is so crazy, how can she still be surviving at the Federal Courthouse in 2009? She filed in February 2007. Why can't Kirkland knock it out? I read her complaint - she wasn't fired. She quit and said it was a "constructive discharge".

I think there is more to the story. Don't think she is all right or all wrong - but I think something went on.

Chances of you making partner at Latham:

Zero point zero zero.

Chances of you making partner at Kirkland:

Zero point zero zero one.

I'll take a job at Kirkland.

168, you are mostly right except for NSPs.

Chance of making share partner at K&E: 0.001%

Chance of making non-share partner at K&E: 35%

Sure it is mostly just a title bump for what would be senior associates at other places but it does come with some pretty good perks and the title bump is really nice for lateraling out at that point.

57---Actually, Proskauer has that "honor." Their first round of layoffs was last November, focused mostly on first years who'd been there for only 8 weeks or so. And with a below market severance of 2 months.

Does anybody know anything about Cahill layoffs?

K&E NY is not what it used to be. Once a bunch of really cool partners and associates left (especially in the IP group), it really went downhill.

170 And Proskauer did a second round of firings right after the first, again, with the lowest severence in NYC

If Sidley has downsized 15% in Chicago, it is not crazy to expect K&E to do the same.

What's Mayer Brown up to?

My sources tell me that Above The Law will be conducting layoffs in the coming weeks. You heard it here first.

Also, "Hopefully nobody will get fired at Kirkland in the coming weeks." is improper grammar.

sources tell me "DAVID LAT IS PLANNING TO FIRE ELIE MYSTAL SOMETIME IN OCTOBER"

57, Lathamizing isn't just letting go of a first year, it is the mother of all first year layoffs. Latham NY laid off more than half the first year class after hiring like crazy for the class of 2008. That is one big fucking first year layoff extravaganza!!! They did it only 4 months after these people started! No one hires and fires first years like Latham & Watkins!

178, better 1st years than 5th & 6th years, whom other firms are terminating. 1st years have more time and opportunity to adjust or change course. Latham should be commended for acting more fairly than these other firms.

So the number of substantiated facts in this post is ... zero. Unless you count the fact that there are rumors at K&E this week, which there probably weren't until this story got posted.

I can't believe I'm going to come to ATL to defend Kirkland. I'm a junior Kirkland associate who fully expects there to be layoffs in the near future. Perhaps they'll happen in a couple of weeks, shortly after the summers have left.

But the salacious false gossip approaching libel (good thing ATL is only recklessly disregarding the truth) is approaching absurd levels regarding Kirkland.

1. Friday, February 27, Kash reported the rumor that "layoffs are happening in the firm's New York office." Actually, they didn't, or, at least, to my well-trained ear, they didn't happen at any detectable level. The March 6 follow up noted that "at least four associates were recently let go." Uh, not a remarkable number, even if "performance-related," and probably even a bit low. But why retract, or even follow up, when a Friday "LAYOFFS" rumor sells? Why source the "at least four" comment?

2. Friday, March 6, Kash reported that layoffs were possible in light of booked conference rooms. Then, in the light of great journalism, asked, "Does anyone know what's happening in Kirkland NYC today?" Doesn't a "journalist" ask questions and obtain answers BEFORE reporting on an issue? Generally, yes. But Kash isn't a journalist, just a blogger interested in inciting flame wars in comments. Shoot first, ask later. And, of course, again, there were no layoffs. But why retract, or even follow up, when a Friday "LAYOFFS" rumor sells?

3. Thursday, March 12, Kash and Elie team up regarding the Sidley layoffs (an actual, true, historical event). They, however, gratuitously include an unsubstantiated comment from a Sidley tip: "Since there have been rumors of layoffs in Kirkland's Chicago office this Friday with a six month severance package." Huh? Are you really going to reprint a statement that, for the third straight Friday, Kirkland is having layoffs? I know a tipster told you this, but did you have to repeat it without any exploration? No, guess not. And, of course, again, there were no layoffs. But why retract, or even follow up, when a Friday "LAYOFFS" rumor sells?

4. Friday, March 13, Elie notes, "Kirkland (somewhat obviously) is sending around all sorts of emails 'warning' people not to talk to the media -- though trolling in the comments is apparently just fine." If Yannucci's generic e-mail on the firm's policy regarding media contacts was directed at the notion that layoffs should not be reported to ATL, it was so well-hidden that it never even occurred to me to read it that way.

You see, when Elie writes that firms want to limit contacts to media about "all the things going on around the office," for Kirkland, for right now, that means, you know, actual work. Among other things, Kirkland was in the middle of a $17.4B case implicating Dow Chemical, Rohm & Haas, and potential financial partners in the deal. The fact that the firm may want to ensure limited discussions with media about pending settlement offers seems entirely reasonable.

5. July 30, a report about reviews moved up 2-3 months (really, about 2-3 weeks), and a frantic, all-caps note that there's a "list" of layoffs.

Of course, that's Occam's Razor, where a phenomenon should be explained making as few assumptions as possible.

We live in a world of Elie's Donut, in which a phenomenon should be explained to make it appear that firms are concealing information from ATL.

Which is a fine way to create panic, incite flame, draw comments, and circulate e-mails of "didja hear?" It becomes more obvious, however, when ATL refuses to reprint the e-mails, but just to report on their substance. That way, their commentary is what people know, not what firms actually say.

Again, I entirely expect Kirkland to layoff associates in the near future. But please, Kash, Elie, ATL, start doing the smallest bit of research before blasting these fear-mongering, sky-is-falling rumors. It's getting pretty tiresome. I'm worried enough about my job. I don't need lies reprinted about the current status of my job on a weekly basis.

What's the deal with the Kirkland partner who's got HERPES? Love it that he was probably workinng 24/7 and the wife was out taking it in all 3 holes from a friggin tennis instructor. This partner must be your typical biglaw dweeb of a man. What a loser.

Too easy.

I don't have any feelings about Kirkland one way or another. But 181 is right (and persuasively and fairly eloquently so) - ATL's reporting on Kirkland has been slipshod even by ATL's standards. Well played, 181.

ITA with 181 (I have a friend in the K&E NY office). also, i know for a fact that they are actually hiring in the west coast offices. so layoffs may be coming, but they are still hiring, fwiw.

141 - If you're a lawyer, it's sort of scary that you don't realize that just because something is stated by a plaintiff('s lawyer) in a complaint, doesn't necessarily make it so. If the ARDC or analogous authority conducted an investigation based on what was alleged in unverified complaints, well then I can't even count the various parades of horribles that would ensue. I hope you're flame or not a lawyer.

78: You tell them Dave!

For the layoffs - partners looked at both undergraduate, graduate and law school degrees - what schools, standing in class, prestige factors. These factors were in addition to performance review and billables. The cuts have to be - because it's just a bad-ass economy now and for quite awhile.

For the layoffs - partners looked at undergraduate, graduate and law school degrees - what schools, standing in class, prestige factors. These factors were in addition to performance review and billables. The cuts have to be - because it's just a bad-ass economy now and for quite awhile.

119-82 here. Agreed re the body size, except I'd go with shockingly tiny. However, we may have to agree to disagree re his skills. I've never seen a better command of the facts and the law. Made trial prep for his witnesses a breeze.

189-119-82: Regular Napolean complex operating?

182 -
he's about 5'7", 135lbs, pasty white complexion, zero muscularity, terrible hair, poor dresser....pretty much your typical nerdy looking attorney who had a hot chic marry him for his money. clearly a loser like this guy must've known this. seriously, why else would any woman be caught dead with a guy like this or the ones on the other end of the spectrum who are about 400lbs.

191 - dead wrong on all counts. he is tall, tan and quite attractive. not to mention extremely intelligent and powerful. you clearly do about as much research on your facts as Elie.

191 - Does she have to get drunk to sleep with him (to meet the terms of the contract)?

K&E are already laying people off! Loads of associates have gone from US offices, and people are being managed out of London left right and centre - literally disappearing overnight. They want you to think that they are riding the storm - whereas the reality is very different. But in true Kirklands style, its all being kept very much under wraps. God forbid that they might get some negative publicity!

Here is the deal (from an insider).

There is a list of associates who we were "strongly encouraged to avoid" for long term projects because in all likelihood, they will not be around for much longer. The list is actually over inclusive and includes ~200 names across the associate levels.

The associates do not know they are on the list. We are "strongly encouraged" not to let these associates know, either since the list is not "definitive." It's just a management work tool and is not supposed to be construed as laying off or constructively laying off people.

For outsiders, the free market system means people are continually looking to staff matters and associates are continually looking for trials or deals to work on. When things work, I usually get the hours list and just call people who have the skill set I need and have enjoyed working with before (experience, etc.) and tell them about the deal/case and they usually join on until the conclusion of said deal or case.

Now, when we have new matters NS partners have to cross reference the hours print outs with this list of associates. It's not a definitive thing, but we were basically told that if we are to use these associates, we shouldn't be pissed when or if they were fired in the middle of a closing or trial. So, that's what this list is.

And to be honest, guys, this isn't shocking. Most firms with a free market system have this same approach in trying to staff cases or deals in the midst of rolling lay offs.

192

You really need to take off those rose colored sunglasses

I can't tell if Bob Dell is the real Bob Dell or a troll

195, thanks for posting. Have you heard
--who decided who was on the list?
--criteria used to formulate the list?
--class years/practice areas particularly affected?
--when will the hammer drop?
--deferral programs or severance details?

Thanks again for this helpful information.

I think 192 is joking:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm1.static.flickr.com/18/22544685_f5d230429a.jpg%3Fv%3D0&imgrefurl=http://flickr.com/photos/80668534%40N00/22544685&usg=__B9oalx5rMltbyPEfGD_t8Fv3b74=&h=375&w=500&sz=53&hl=en&start=2&sig2=CLUrbLboWuLNuE7b478aQA&tbnid=ivYsGrr0BIEZiM:&tbnh=98&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddavid%2Bbernick%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den&ei=7_V1SoeFDpDQM4mlqPUK

199, there are 2 different K&E partners being discussed in these comments. David Bernick is indeed very short.

But 192 is not talking about Bernick, he's talking about the K&E partner who got herpes as a result of committing adultery. Since that guy decided to file a lawsuit and publicly disclose his herpes, which was subsequently reported in The NY Post, his name should not be too hard to discover. It was pretty funny, originally he thought that he contracted it from his wife when she had an affair as he alleged in his lawsuit; but then she tested negative for herpes. Oops!

Interestingly enough, both of these K&E partners are on the Firm's 15-partner Firm Committee.

198.

I don't know any of the answers to your questions. And severance questions are fucking stupid.

My fault, 200, thanks for pointing that out. I can't believe I missed this story...

http://abovethelaw.com/2008/11/those_arent_my_herpes_then_who.php

I didn't know Ron Mexico was on the Firm Committee.

The bizarre thing about Tanne's lawsuit is his claim seeking damages for "lost wages." If he did lose shares as a result of this mess (anyone know if he did?), that would have been the result of the publicity that he created by filing the lawsuit, and nothing else.

The simple fact that he had contracted herpes (and why would anyone at K&E have even known about that?) would not have caused him to lose shares, nor would a divorce. The publicity that he generated is the worst thing about this whole mess. And this guy is supposed to have the judgment necessary to help run a major law firm by serving on the Firm Committee? Idiot.

McDermott Will & Emery had several rounds of first year associate layoffs. More than 90% of the first years in some departments were cut. Latham wasn't the only one....