FIRSTY!

Who cares this is a hardly a top tier law firm anyways.

There is no need to thank me.
Happy to have been of service.
Good luck to all of you.

I thought they merged with Locke Lord.

FIRST of many law firms to do this. If you think the 2Ls right now have it bad, just see what happens to the 2Ls next year. It's going to be carnage.

2 = pwned

I am so friggin glad I am not in law school right now. I would be shitting bricks.

Francis - clients aren't "relentlessly" focusing on Mayer Brown - they are deserting you, tanking your business, and forcing you to throw up-and-coming lawyers under the bus. Another ghetto firm with delusions of grandeur, heading for oblivion like Wolf Block.

Sounds like a responsible plan of action.

Here’s the first excerpt from the PHJW screenplay:

Associate: I can't do this anymore. You're married, you just got married.

Barry: I don’t love her. I just need to know someone will take care of my kid in case anything happens to me. Remember when I landed in the hospital last year?

More to come...

My prophecies are becoming a reality. The law students were warned. If you are a newly minted attorney, hang a shingle and get plenty of malpractice insurance.

Reed Smith is clearly the king of Pennsylvania now! Lock it up.

This must be a nice day for you, PE.
--Elie

5- that was Morgan & Finnegan. Not Morgan Lewis.

Hey guys, remember when Cravath paid half bonuses and you all thought that they destroyed their recruiting ability forever?

* Canceling on-campus interviewing during the fall of 200.

LOL-typso

Finally! I'm sick of the "Must keep up with the Jones" mentality that most big firms are adhering to. Glad they are actually listening to their clients that care more about being overcharged more than the pedigree of a first-year associate who still hasn't taken a CLE on ass wiping.

OH NOES!!! Self-entitled law school princes and princesses won't have a job handed to them!!!

MLB in Pittsburgh is a decent office if you don't mind working for the tyrant who runs the office and a corporate associate who everyone hates but who they keep around because he bills 2400+ hours a year...seriously, the office is shockingly dysfunctional.

Please Elie, don't humor PE.

This is great news... FOR JOHN MCCAIN

Uh, they will still overcharge their clients regardless of 1st year start dates. Not sure the clients are insisting that the firm cut its costs/recruiting program in order to avoid dissolution, but I guess the clients might be demanding that. Never know.

this is awesome!!! bring it all down!!!!! hahahahahahaha.

Good move. Now, let's start ratcheting back associate salaries another 20%.

PE to editor of ATL.

I give them some props for at least making good on the implicit promise that the incoming class of first year associates and this year's summer associates will have jobs. If not hiring summer associates for a year is what it takes for the firm to appropriately meet its staffing needs while not screwing over incoming first years and current summer associates, then good for them for taking the appropriate steps.

Save for the 20 or so biggest, baddest firms in the US, the summer associate recruitment model will be dead by 2011.

Glad I declined a callback at this TTT

- Seton Hall summer at Orrick

11
Those who are diligent can now connect the dots. I wonder if he is reading.

QUESTION: Does anyone have any ACTUAL evidence of the affects of massive layoffs or discontinuing summer programs at major law firms in the past?

Every time a big firm announces (or fails to announce) major news like this, we get comments about how these firms will be screwed when the economy picks up and recruiting starts getting heated. I would just love to see an example of a law firm that did something major during a recession and then it suffering when that firm tried recruiting again.

I doubt a law student 5 years from now will be able to distinguish between firms based on their reactions to this recession. I mean, will it really hurt Morgan Lewis and other firms who decide to cancel its summer program?

Any word on associate salaries? Are they being cut? If compensation isn't lockstep anymore, what will happen with it? Give us details.

During the fall of 200. I knew it had to be Elie at that point, and I was right.

Seriously, is there any questino in anyone's mind that this guy was fired from his last emploment?

Canceling on-campus interviewing during the fall of 200.

So Locke Lord did not gobble up Morgan Lewis to become the powerhouse that it is today?

History repeats itself? So somehow the fall of 200 makes sense? /boggle

This comment is addressed to post no. 14.

I would be happier if the economy was as great as it was during the peak of the Bush Administration. I am sure most of these young impressionable law students/young associates wish they could go back in time and re-cast their vote for someone other than Obama. Since we are doomed with the current czar comrade Obama, the only thing that can make me happy would be if peer firms embraced my "hybrid tough love" package in toto. Overhead is killing our bottom line. What happens when ships start to sink? The non-essentials (i.e., associates and staff) are thrown overboard without a life preserver. As for me, I plan to remain afloat amongst the wreckage of despair that will be known as the Obama legacy.

OCI has been cancelled for the fall of 200? Wow.

Elie: aTTTention to detail, my son.

#31: S&S is avoided like the plague at my school. And nobody really even knows why, some vague rumor about cuts long ago.

I'm only slightly exaggerating. Of course, you're probably still right in calling the theory overblown.

@33 - there's no "questino" in my mind as to either of you.

Elie = PE

I've figured it out! 37= Elie!

Re: 11

See, I TOLD YOU "Barry B" was banging the screenwriter, ex-PHJW associate with his tiny little dick! Can't wait for the next excerpt!

"Canceling on-campus interviewing during the fall of 200"

THIS IS SPARTA

Thanks, Obama! You're the best.

YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN!

Spend more! Tax more! Free healthcare for all! Only 96 months to save the environment! Global warming (or cooling, or climate change--whatever it is right now)! Cars powered by rice! Government control of banks and manufacturing! Mortgages for all! Wise Latinas to the Supreme Court!

Locke Lord has stopped recruiting at SMU.

yet another reason not to pick up former Thelen partners (see, e.g, Wolf Block)

Why are people overlooking the LOVE in Partner Emeritus' hybrid tough love package? The dude loves you, don't you understand?

This comment is addressed to post no. 39.

I have been an attorney for 40 plus years. 99% of attorneys are amoral whores (don't fool yourself into thinking you are in the 1% category). If the non-peer firm of S&S raised their starting salaries to $170K per year and were hiring while everyone else is downsizing, do you really think law students would balk at an opportunity with that firm? Attorneys will follow the money. Students may remember, but money can make you forget.

"Canceling on-campus interviewing during the fall of 200"

Will this be like the 300 and the Battle of Thermopylae?

SPARTANS!!!!!

"Canceling on-campus interviewing during the fall of 200"

Will this be like the 300 and the Battle of Thermopylae?

SPARTANS!!!!!

I told everyone at my Ivy League school who would listen that MLB is a shite hole. Low margin work leads to squeezing associates for every last penny. They should have seen this coming.

Morgan laid off 216 associates and staff in March, following a spate of stealth layoffs in January. Associates have been jockeying for position for months and many believe another round of layoffs is imminent. It sounds like Morgan has bigger problems than its reputation among law students five years down the road.

Hey guys :)

#31/39 -- funny, when I was interviewing in the late '90s, many at my school (NYU) also avoided S&S -- my understanding was that they laid off associates in the early 1990's, and were viewed as an outlier among the top 10-20 or so firms in that respect. These days, you can probably count the "safe" firms on one hand, so even if reputations last, there aren't that many alternatives to turn to.

Mr Partner Emeritus sir, do you have a searing case of vagitosis?

#49,

Sure they would. And that would mean that S&S coughed up an extra half million to bring in a single class of associates (assuming 160 is still market). So even under your logic, that reputational hit has a substantial dollar cost. I thought they taught math back in your day.

Also, you're an insufferable asshole of a shtick. Go hang out with SEN--you deserve each other.

--39

* Canceling on-campus interviewing during the fall of 200.

I see that Elie refused to take my advice (in the Ritter post) to review his writing before posting.

How fucking dare anyone out there make fun of Elie after all she has been through!

She missed Happy Hour at Sizzler's, she went through a eating binge. She had to wait two fuckin minutes at Dunin Donuts.

Her husband, Obama, turned out to be a user, a cheater, and now she's going through a custody battle. All you people care about is….. readers and making money off of her.

SHE’S A HUMAN! (ah! ooh!) What you don’t realize is that Elie is making all these posts and all you do is write a bunch of crap about her.

She hasn’t used English in years. You know how hard it is to use "Ctrl+C" with fat fingers?! You don't know her pain!

LEAVE HER ALONE! You are lucky she even performed for you BASTARDS!
LEAVE ELIE ALONE!…..Please.

Perez Hilton talked about professionalism and said if Elie was a professional she would’ve pulled it off no matter what.

Speaking of professionalism, when is it professional to publicly bash someone who is going through a hard time.

Leave Elie Alone Please…. !
Leave Elie Mystal alone!…right now!….I mean it.!

Anyone that has a problem with her you deal with me, because she is not well right now.

LEAVE HER ALONE!

31, You make the mistake of thinking that 2009 is the same as 1999. The internet makes it much easier to record these things. I'm sure you would agree that the internet was not prevalent then the way it is now.

It's easy to google search this stuff now, and students will look up the info. Also, before ATL, no website compiled all this info.

I remember when I was interviewing, I desperately wanted info on firms, but you couldn't find out much more than starting salaries and leverage ratio. Law students in the future will have easy access to much more info including offer revocations, deferral stipends, etc.

PE is so fake. Does anyone buy it?

Hmmm...what a great idea. Nah, let's just continue stealthing associates and de-equitizing partners and throwing them under the bus for "performance reasons" while showering money on summer associates and recruiting.

--Seth & Greg

-----------

How do those assholes sleep at night?

All of these fat jokes are racist.

Fall of 200--more like the fall of 200 spot in the vault rankings.

HEY-OH!!!

"I have been an attorney for 40 plus years. 99% of attorneys are amoral whores (don't fool yourself into thinking you are in the 1% category). If the non-peer firm of S&S raised their starting salaries to $170K per year and were hiring while everyone else is downsizing, do you really think law students would balk at an opportunity with that firm? Attorneys will follow the money. Students may remember, but money can make you forget."

Lies.

So about six months to a year ago I raised in the comments a question as to why firms do not go to less expensive commercial real estate markets to save costs. Most comments went nutso at the idea of being anywhere other than downtown DC or midtown Manhattan.

Now that there have been so many firings, salary cuts/freezes, deferrals, etc -- does it really seem a good idea for firms to pay extra for all that commercial real estate? There are now (and have been for many years) many, many, many more jobs in suburban MD and VA instead of DC. Why should law firms be immune to that? I know, a few of you will still say working in a suburban office is TTT, but is it really worth all this?

This comment is addressed to post no. 57.

My post was an example. S&S would not have to raise their starting salaries to attract associates. At this rate, there are too many lawyers with good credentials seeking a limited amount of positions in this dour Obama economy. You would be lucky if you worked for a non-peer firm such as S&S. And did I detect a tone of rancor in your post? You made a mistake when you voted for Obama and all the consequences that his "leadership" has brought. You bought the "I am an articulate darling in front of a teleprompter" shtick from Obama. Perhaps you should re-direct your misplaced anger at yourself you self-loathing misanthropic twerp.

This is what happens when you fuck a stranger in the ass!

Moar Moobs

60, true but considering the fact that most firms have done something to effectively "screw over" some of their associates in the past year, why should a firm really care about taking an image hit now? There will be very few law firms coming out of this nightmare smelling like roses. Seems to be better for law firms to pull the bandaid now and get over the pain rather than pushing off the inevitable.

"At least you are not getting laid off. "

Yet. You forgot to add "yet." Not sure if that was a serious and substantive oversight or a typo. Hard to know with Elie.

PE = worst human being ever

11

So THIS is how Paul Hastings "loves" it's associates. Right in the ass!

Take notice, this is going to be a trend in the not so distant future. Eventually these firms will have to stop deferring students and bring them in on time. And when that time comes, what are the firms going to do? Bring in the last set of deferreds and all the offered summers? No way! One class (and it might not be the same class at every firm; see MLB) will eventually have to bite the bullet here in toto. Until this happens firms that deferred associates will not be back on track. In turn, deferred associates, offered summers, and potential summers will live in fear as to what could happen. I salute MLB for taking this necessary step to righting the ship.

Many more firms will follow suit. Summer programs are now and always have been a waste of both time and money. When the recession is over and firms start hiring again, MLB and other firms who choose to buck the current system and act prudently, will have more than enough good applicants. Wake up children, changes are coming and they are here to stay.

It's getting exciting now, two and one-half. Think of everything we've accomplished, man. Out these windows, we will view the collapse of financial history. One step closer to economic equilibrium.

The real question is, what firms WILL have summer programs next year?

apparently the rumor is that thompson hine and squire sanders are also cancelling their 2010 summer program...

apparently the rumor is that thompson hine and squire sanders are also cancelling their 2010 summer program...

Just one of many to more to come. The summer associate model is D*E*A*D!

11 - We know who you are.

Dear 37 and 45,

It is shocking to me how Obama could have tanked the economy so hard since January 20 after prior the pristine, hard-charging, pro-business eight years.

How'd that happen? Obama must have some evil mojo, huh? Damn!

Hey Donald Moffatt, shut the eff up! It's not funny anymore.

I am not wearing pants today.

81--Evil mojo, is right. The Antichrist.

I was a lawyer. I got laid off with many others. Then I said to myself why not do what they are doing to others. Right.
I started my own escort service made up of both female and male laid off attorneys I am supplying strip clubs with female ex attorneys and they are have more fun and are making more. And the get time off which they love.
Of course they still have the law degrees to fall back on but they are making money for themselves and me.

I may never want to go back.

In the present day with the economy the way it is and all the Millions of people out of work. This might not be a good time to do this. It is better to have a job then to be unemployed currently. Unemployment is currently at 9% or better and it does not look like it will change soon.

Small business will have to let people go and large corporations will not hire or they will send jobs overseas.

I am being realistic not going on emotion or what we would all like it to be.

I agree with 73 and 74. I think eventually all of the firms will start to reduce starting pay. I also think the Class of 2011 is going to be completely submerged by the economy, ivy-league education and hundred-thousand dollar loan be damned. You could be from Harvard, Yale or Columbia and still come out either not finding a job (if starting pay remains at 160), or finding that your degree only gets you a $100k annual package, tops.

Though, given how self-important law students often are, part of me wonders whether this is just karma striking back.

I agree with 27.

This comment is addressed to post no. 81.

If you are trying to label me as some diehard conservative, you have failed. Personally, I think George W. Bush was a lovable idiot. I questioned many of Bush's policies and disagreed with him on many occasions. So for argument's sake, let us say Bush caused the fire. What is the "One" doing to put out the fire? He is dousing it (printing more money, engaging in reckless spending and heavily taxing the industrious base) with gasoline. So much for hope and change you can believe in.

Does Morgan Lewis not put first years on their website? (Or did they just fire my friend?)

66 - most major metropolitan areas are experiencing a glut of office space. It's not costing firms with new leases a whole lot to keep their offices there. Also, law firms tend to be very attractive tenants and are able to heavily negotiate their leases.

I thought Morgan and Finnegan dissolved? sooo confused. . .

82, you have to admit he made a great U.S. President in that Tom Clancy movie.

69, I agree w/ some of what you say, but there are differences that matter. If a firm revokes an offer w/ no pay (e.g., Sonnenschein), that is qualitatively different from a firm that delays for one year with a 60 k stipend.

Yes, both had to take unfortunate measures, but most law students will think there's a significant difference between those two firms.

To continue your analogy, yes, neither smell like roses, but one smells like a bad burp and the other smells like a giant pile of steaming shit.

Do you think this is an isolated incident, or will other firms follow? I worry that this is a harbinger, and that, like the bonus cancellation, the deferrement of incoming associates, and layoffs, once this barrier has been broken by a large firm like Morgan Lewis, a lot of other firms that were thinking about it will follow suit. I've noticed that a number of other small firms have cancelled OCI.

And more importantly, are the firms that are still interviewing actual intending on hiring people, or are they just doing it to keep their reputation intact?

Can we still have summer lunches?

Ok, I want to lay some stuff on the line, open my heart and be honest. I went to law school because I quite frankly, wanted to "change the world." Ever since I was young, I wanted to make a difference, and at some point, I was influenced by people and decided, ok, I want to be a laywer, and thus I went to law school. Now, I was fortunate to be admitted to go to a top tier law school, but as many of us know, it's not cheap. So I have substantial debt and by the time I graduate, it will be even higher. Now, I don't manage my life dreams on the basis of my financial situation, but you have to be delusion to not consider it, it's just natural. But my bigger issue is that the jobs are drying up. I want to use my study of the law and help peoples lives. But I am caught between a rock and a hard place. If I try to get hired to do a job that will truly change the world, like public defender or job where I defend minority rights or immigrant rights then I will have to accept a lower payscale than some of the law firms pay. However, even if I want to join a law firm, even for a few years, I will have a hard time geting even that job now. This is bad because I have to make a real hard decision at this point. Worse, jobs are getting fewer and further in between for all types of jobs. So sort of I have to take whatever I can get, and completely forget about my dream to change the world. This is not why I came to law school. I just wish the young people of the world could realize all the power we have a group - WE CAN BE CHANGE AGENTS OF OUR TIME!!! :) But I feel like most of us don't believe this, or worse, we just don't even care. We could change this economy if we wanted to, I mean we could put our minds together and work out solutions that could help things. But reading this board, most people are interested in working for the money in law. But this isn't the best way to use our skills. We have a blessing, law students, we have the ability to use words and thought like swords, to help other and defeat evil, not just in the United States, but around the world. I challenege everyone to find a lawyer who inspires you, someone who truly moves you with their mastery and use of the law, and then follow in their footsteps. Don't let that classic risk averseness of law school students take hold of you. Let's all take a risk and jump, then if some of us don't make it, it won't be as hard of a fall for them. Plus we can have a security blanket to help each other out. I really want to put my superior knowledge to good use during our lives. It pains me, that I have to consider things from a financial point of view, but it's even worse that there aren't any jobs almost anywhere. How bad does it have to get before people will ACT! I actually have the answer - it's when things get bad for you personally that you usually decide things are rough. But let's CHANGE THE PARADIGM. I promise we can do it, we just have to be change agents using law as our vehicle.

Morgan Lewis seriously is a miserable firm. I interviewed in their SF office and a secretary with the firm told me on the elevator on the way out that the attorney she saw escort me to the elevator was a horrible, evil tyrant and that I should take employment elsewhere. Hilarious.

97: Two words. PROJECT MAYHEM.

97, too many words.

Is it necessary to end every post with some sort of lame soundoff including the always popular and entirely hollow "good luck" message?

97 - Use the same rousing speech for your OCI interviews. See where it gets you.

97 -

What in the world makes you think that there is anyone out there who wants to read your self-indulgent screed, which you did not have the courtesy to even split into separate paragraphs?

I lied, jobs died.

I'm Barack Obama?

I'm at a T-10 law school. Just had a meeting with my career advisor. He said that he understands the career services office will need to be making a number of adjustments in what it expects from firms, etc., but what they are seeing from Morgan Lewis is a whole different story. The career committee had a pre-scheduled meeting here, and voted today that it would be an official school policy to advise students against going to work at Morgan Lewis, because of what this action says about their general management judgment.

Awesome. That is fucked up!!!

all firms should get rid of summer programs, have recruiting events at their offices for a few months after the bar exam to narrow the field, hire only people who passed, and have them start the following January 1. No summers, no stipends, no bar study expenses, no moving expenses.

107: You're Fired

73 is right. Firms can't keep deferring incoming associates. I had assumed that the class of 2009 turn january 2010 would take the brunt of it. Skipping a summer program and only taking the most worthy 2009 summers (but deferring them to 2011) will even things out.

Hundreds of firms will eventually take this approach.

I'm still waiting on Cravath to announce that they're canceling their summer program.

I agree with 107. For too long, law firms have subsidized what is essentially nothing more than a holiday for pampered law students who should get a real job for the summer. Then we can stop hearing stories like the one about the kid who complained about not getting school funding for the summer because he "worked" two weeks less than the requirements, even though he could just have easilly done some menial work for the two weeks to qualify.

97 - what do you suggest, unions?? You're an idiot. You're situation is not unique nor is it unchartered waters. This exact decision has been made by generations of law students before you and the same will hold true after you graduate.

-73

105: Sounds like a reasonable enough approach, but honestly, I would hope that students (especially in this economy) would be doing their homework on firms that they'd know if a firm has, for example, deferred all of its incoming associates / summer associates or canceled a summer program, etc. Career Services programs at schools can certainly help, but at the end of the day, if you walk onto a sinking ship where you could already see all the warning signs, that's really your own fault.

111 were you ever a summer?
go join 107 on the bread line.

You're Fired 2

105--either you or your couselor are full of sh!t. Careful the toilet is going to overflow.

97 here - thanks to those who left positive comments.

112 - exactly I agree, my situation isn't unique. But I am different in that I'm speaking out againt this. I am NOT falling victim to cynicism and this "can't-do" attuitide. I'm not sure what the solution is, maybe unions, maybe grassroots organization. The point is the status quo can't continue. But I am arguing that I am ready to act, and I am not compelling anyone to do something they don't want to do. I realize there is a lot of rhetoric flying around these days, but our generation does have a historic opportunity here, it's not just bluster :)

105: the career committee is trying to make you believe they are on top of things. they cannot help you. they do not have any answers. further, they won't make any public negative statements about any large law firms, nor discourage any but the top performing students from taking a job at Morgan or anywhere else.

114, 111 here: If you say so. I'm not the one fretting over my job prospects.

116/97 - Hope and change!!! Hope and change!! Si se puede!!

(Go fuck yourself)

111 but you will be oh yes you will be!!! HA Ha Ha

116 = Roxana

97 -- What a bunch of naive bullshit! What are you a 1L? Wait, I've got it, you've just graduated with a pre-law degree and are on your way to law school full of starry-eyed ideals and other assorted crap. You want to change the world? Go into social work or join the Peace Corps, you dumbass.

Elie, a lot of firms are pulling out of T20 schools. See this thread:

http://xoxohth.com/thread.php?thread_id=1038234&mc=67&forum_id=2

do law schools still charge employers for the right to come to campus to interview? back when i was interviewing (2001), T6 schools charged firms a significant amount for the privilege of getting their foot in the door. i would start complaining to your career services if they are still doing that (i think most still do).

Wow - check out what one of them said in XOXO: "The class of 2011 is analagous to pompeii in 79a.d. just weeks before the explosion of vesuvius. Several weeks before the explosion, there were clear warning signs, such as sulfer in the water and minor tremors in the earth. Many people felt something was wrong, but few could have foreseen the complete carnage and destruction that awaited them."

Apt, if unfortunate.

Doug Raymond at DBR lied, too. Screw Philly firms and Big Law.

97/116

You're obviously not far in law school. You're post, while interesting at times, is meaningless without a proposed conclusion and/or goal. As most others will agree, writing about taking action without common purpose and clarity of thought is a waste of time. I do not need to beleaguer the point that I think your post is idiotic. However, I do want to say that if you are going to post things like this, it would be very helpful for your audience to hear your proposed goal/conclusion (and not this "follow a mentor" bullshit; that will get you nowhere and broke). Absent some end point your post is merely a motivational speech. In turn, this is not the forum for motivational speaking.

-73/112

73 / 112 / 127 - Roxana

124 law schools do not have a clue as to what is happening. They are so worried right now they don't know what to tell people.

Tell your friend to become doctors engineers CIa FBI anything but a asshole lawyer for now.

All you ASScociates cry about this and that BUT when you make partner all you want to do is to be a F--k up just like the ones who are partners now.

What you jerk offs think history just changed over night.

98:
Maybe the secretary just didn't like you and was doing her best to keep the attorney from making a mistake by hiring you.

97/116: Feel free to pursue your goal. There are so many law students right now desperate for a job, any job, so they'll be thrilled that you're pulling yourself out of contention for a firm position. Likewise, law firms are overloaded right now with associates (because no one wants to quit during a down economy) -- they'll similarly be thrilled that you've self-selected yourself out of seeking employment with them.

You're making it sound like firms will give a damn if a small minority of crazy left-wing students refuse to participate in the firm model. They won't care because there's already an excess of law students who want to work for them, and who won't be troublemakers once they get to the firm.

When I interviewed with Morgan, Lewis years ago, the firm representative was a character who looked, acted and talked like Sticky Merkle from the movie "The Best Years of Their Lives" (the twerp that took over the drug store while the other employees went to war and was remarkably obnoxious to them when they returned).. Aside from that, has anyone considered the consequences of these "deferrals" of full-time associate offers to 2011? What about the summer associates who are extended offers in the summer of 2010 for full-time employment? Do they also start in 2011, making the new full-time associate class twice as large as usual? Somebody (or a lot of somebodies) is going to get screwed in this arrangement and it won't be the capital partners.

There are always options in life. You don't have to use your law degree in private practice at a major firm. You can do lots of things with a law degree. Or, you can pull the plug on law school and shift gears to getting a master's degree in business, engineering, biomed, whatever....

Being in law school right now means you have options on the table to consider. So shut the frack up and consider them.

133 are you from Battlestar Galactica? Yeah the fleet is home! Where's Star Buck?

YOU ARE ALL WEARING ME OUT, IDIOTS

HOGAN SECURE

133 - You can use the JD diploma as toilet paper.

116 here - thanks to everybody for the feedback

122 - yes, I was pre-law, but so what? That changes nothing. And I wasn't just a declared pre-law major, I held leadership positions in the student group as well.

73/112 - ok, not everybody is super cynical though. As an undergrad, I had several conversations that went long into the night about how to change the legal profession with law school students. I even dated a law school student during undergrad, although that person changed a lot once they worked for a big law firm, and that was not a coincidence.

My end goal is this - use forums such as ATL to make SERIOUS change (not just rhetorical). I realize this is just an agenda, not a specific proposal, but it is an important first step. And you shouldn't dismiss my suggestion for people to find a mentor, that is important too.

116 & 137 - Clear troll (and Roxana)

137/97 = best troll ever

"Tell your friend to become doctors engineers CIa FBI anything but a asshole lawyer for now. "

Although I agree that being a lawyer isn't great now, its not as if there are any other fields hiring. Face it, people under the age of 30 should be very, very pissed right now. There are few job opportunities and the baby boom generation gave themselves entitlements that they didn't feel the need to fund.

Um, PE, you probably get asked this often, but did you not read the memo? The recession is over:

http://www.slate.com/id/2222742/

I'm sure you'll promptly find a different problem to speciously attribute to Obama.

I blame GW

Okay, 137 is officially flame.

It's fine to be a member of the student pre-law group, but no one does pre-law as an ugrad major and gets into any half decent law school. If you look at the admissions pages of most law schools, they specifically advise you to pick a liberal arts or science major, NOT a pre-professional major, especially not one as trite as pre-law.

And, the lines about "several conversions" and "dated a law school student" -- clearly in land of flame.

141 - Apparently, the 10% of America that is unemployed didn't get the message.

Jim Beam is my mentor.

143 = 143

It is rather cute how so many of the law students believe they possess some sort of leverage in this situation. Oh, you are going to tell all your friends not to work at Firm X because of a salary cut, or a deferred class, or a dropped summer program? Big deal. Nobody cares. Contrary to your belief, you are not a unique snowflake. Rather, you are a replacable cog in a machine that has its picks of plenty of other cogs.

I know this might come as quite a shock to many of you, but law firms have one goal: please the clients so that the clients will continue to give them business. Notably, nothing about that goal involves pleasing insufferable law students. Clients do not care if someone from a T-20 school works on their matter instead of someone from NYU, for example. The client's only interest is making sure the project is done: (i) correctly; (ii) on time; and (iii) within the budget.

Wake up law students. Your voice does not matter in this economy. All firms have plenty of applicants to cherry-pick. Thousands of laid off attorneys, deferred associates, law students regularly submit their resumes happily asking for a job that pays $110,000 - $130,000.

Rather than whining and moaning about the circumstances, most of you would be well-advised to start making plans addressing how you are going to obtain any sort of secure long-term employment in an economy where even your closest friend will drive the knife straight into your back.

146 = Person who states something silly = Roxana

You can do lots of things with a law degree.
__________________________________________

Like what?

97/137....

You are motivated and that is a good thing. Let me address a few things that will become painfully obvious to you in the near future:

1) "prelaw" doesn't work/help/benefit, ect. once you're in law school. A certain number of your class will not do well and possibly fail out regardless of their undergrad degree.

2) if you write like this on exams and continue to be conclusory you will be part of that contingent

3) sating that you dated a law student and held undergraduate leadership positions only makes you come across as a douche.

Here's the bottom line my friend, yes, the biglaw model may be broken. It will not, however, fail. My suggestion to you is to do well in law school (first you will have to learn - and probably relearn in your case - the concept of IRAC) and then grab the higest paying job you can find. Pay off your loans/consumer debt (if any) and then move on to conquer the world or whatever other pipe dreams you might have. You'll turn. If you don't your even dumber than I thought.

149 - like I mentioned at 133, for toilet paper to wipe your ass after you've taken a crap. It's increasingly becoming of equivalent value (cue jokes about how lawyers are full of crap anyway).

look 140 you're right it sucks big time for you guys oh yeah i joke around and have been around lawyers for a LONG time. I've been laid off hired laid off sh-t the list goes on and on. but I got mad and bit-h and moaned but i keep going

It sucks right now for everyone but we didnt do this look to Washington. I mean since 2001. But There are fields that have a serve shortage of people that are good paying jobs

This notion about being a lawyer is all most of you only heard right come on now you know i am right.

Yeah it does suck and I have see both asshol-s and good lawyers and other people lose their jobs.

I'm sorry i have to go now I just made myself cry.

97/116 - Too long. Didn't read. Learn to edit. And seriously? No way you are a lawyer if you put smiley faces in your posts. See: :) Doesn't work. Lose the grade school signature.

PE - god, is he still alive? Yawn.

127 -

Not to belabor the point, but "beleaguer" ("to surround with military forces")?

You people bleating on about a firm's difficult times demonstrate nothing more than your own narrow world view and limited experience. The only thing that makes a difference to your long-term success, whether you are in a top 10, 100, or 500 law firm, is how crucial you are to your clients. Nothing else counts. You'll find yourself in the same boat with those unlucky enough to have invested their time and effort with the wrong group of lawyers. When you do, let's hope that your cruelty and cynicism has taught you to swim.

155 - 1L who's full of himself.

155 -- no, the only think that makes a difference to my long-term success is the partner's bottom line. If you don't know that, you certainly don't know how to swim.

The ship be sinking...

147 speaks the truth.

149 is right.

133 - I heard that same shit before I went to law school. Yes, some CEOs, business owners, consultants, etc. have JDs. They are greatly in the minority, and it is certainly not the easiest path. Also, in this economy, the "perfect person" exists for every job. The "well, I was a lawyer but I'd love to transition my career to _________" isn't working right now.

Seriously, 97/116-- you're a dumb-shit, and the profession doesn't need you. PE would just use you for a dick puppet.

147--dead on.

Change Agents, 116/97?

Utterly fucking hopeless.

By the way-- the public sector job you were thinking about is now the target of all these laid off and lateralled lawyers, many of whom aren't inexperienced flakes. Like you. Flake.

97, your writing is terrible. Jesus.

A true life Morgan Lewis Interview experience:

I had an interview with ML at a job fair type pre-screened resume event, an all day affair. Knew ahead of time that the interviewer was a blond female, lawyer hot, at least in the glamour shot on the ML website. I kinda wanted to work for them.

It was a hot day in August. There was an open slot ahead of my interview. Interviews at a big schmantzy hotel.

I walk into the interview suite, and the attorney was actually lawyer hot. I would have done her. I mean we were in her room already (insert sophomoric drool here) About a minute into the interview, I notice that sugar's blouse is unbuttoned. I imagine that she was hot, and had opened her shirt during her break, and had missed the top three buttons. I am sure I didn't stare, but it was like having Sarah Palin in her best slutty stewardess outfit I front of me. By about 10 minutes in, it was clear that lefty was wearing the beige half lace victoria secret C cup. At 15 minutes, lefty had come almost all the way out to visit.

Then pseudo Sarah noticed the breeze or something, and tried very hard to get the fellas back home without being obvious.

It was one of my best interview experiences ever. I assume I didn't get the call-back either 1) because I was spending too much breast staring time, or 2) Sarah saved any potential for embarrassment of the stripper act by making certain that it was a one-timer.

But then, was she really trolling for 15 minutes with a young law stud? (hahahahahaaaa)

FRAN MILONE IS A LYING COCKSUCKER. BURN BABY BURN!!!!

Has anyone seen my iPhone? As a reminder, 16GB w/ purple case. MAJOR REWARD!!!

The funny part about MLB Is that the partnership just reelected Francis Milone as chairman of the firm, yet he has presided over the sinking ship the last year and a half.

165 - savor that memory. most interviews are painful, and only get worse at the lateral stage.

Amazing how stupid lawyers/law students like 141, particularly the litigation types who flocked to Obama at probably a 90%+ clip against their own economic self-interest in most cases, are when it comes to economics and anything else related to business.

141 is evidence of why Obama and his crew are just terrifying.

IF it turns out the vicious economic contraction we've had has stopped for a quarter (would technically signify an end to the recession), we would still be in the same horrific situation as a nation as we were the day before. Still need to find a way to grow the economy again. Still have massive job losses and a greatly shrunken economy.

But I can see 141 and the White House rejoicing... Alright! We did it! Let's raise taxes!

We are all screwed.

You CAN do a lot with a law degree: everything you can do without a law degree, but with more debt.

Another real-life MLB experience. I was persuaded to join MLB by various promises; I brought my own book of business. At the end of the first month, when I was trying to put my bills together, I noticed all sorts of absurd time entries by paralegals and junior associates, an hour of time for a two-line letter, for instance. I called the paralegals and junior associates one by one to show them the letters, emails, whatever and the time that had been billed for them. They all admitted that the time actually spent had been far less than the time billed, but said the firm required that amount of time billed for that task. I said the firm might require it, but my clients weren't going to be billed that way. The partner at the head of my department refused to change the bills to reflect actual time spent; I refused to send out the bills and said if the firm sent them out without my signature, I'd let each client know what was going on and advise them not to pay. No bills for my clients went out for the entire miserable year I was at MLB until I announced my departure and said if MLB wanted bills to go out, they could change them to reflect actual time spent or (repeat from above). The bills got changed at the end and sent out. My lord I was happy to get out of there. You can keep your honor at BigLaw, but it's not easy and doesn't make you any friends.

170 - Noted w thanks.

#172 - I have heard smilar stories from presitgious Big Law firms; one is how secretaries have been taken away from the young associates who tend to type very s-l-o-w-l-y and bill the client for the time spent typing so that the client s probably paying a lot more than when the associates had secretaries.

#172 - I have heard smilar stories from presitgious Big Law firms; one is how secretaries have been taken away from the young associates who tend to type very s-l-o-w-l-y and bill the client for the time spent typing so that the client s probably paying a lot more than when the associates had secretaries.

Gather around boys and girls:

Morgan Lewis Bokius and whoever else they tacked onto their name may well be in the death spiral. They were an old school firm, with a long history of conservatism in practice. Not being content to be merely filthy rich, the partners engaged in the rapid growth orgy, merging with several firms over the last decade.

As anyone who hasn't had a business class knows, mergers are kind of like adopting a crack baby. If the baby can be cured, the family grows and is stronger. if the baby's brain is addled by crack, it only gets worse, and after some years adolescence sets in and the merged firms destroy the culture of the old firm. Meet MLB.

They took on a whole pile of crack baby associates. Never melded them into a strong unit. Partners chasing the green have left in dribbles, and if they don't stop, incoming revenue will not be enough to meet note payments; partners will miss a draw; no bonuses; big revenue partners are looking for a place to jump. It is unlikely that MLB can reverse the spiral.

The facts:
MLB has already terminated piles of associates;
MLB has a long deferral of incoming offers to some time unknown.
The summer program is expensive in terms of actual cost, and more so in lost attorney billings.
Revenue projections probably show that the cash outlay to do recruiting would have to be borrowed;
the credit line is growing, and no partner will guarantee more;
It costs $10-15k for each OCI, and each call back costs another $10k. $100k plus for each office. to be paid on October's VISA bill;
No current attorneys have decent revenue numbers;
No need for OCI, because the class of 2011 is already available, if needed;
There probably won't be a class of 2011 for a 1000 lawyer MLB.
There probably won't be a 2011 MLB. Unless they go big time into personal injury work.

Free advice to MLB partners with business. Offer to buy the brand and certain other tangible assets by assuming the secured loans. Dump 800 attorneys and all but 3 offices. Once the firm goes into bankruptcy the trademark is worthless, all the offices will close and you will pay the secured notes anyhow.

Law students, don't despair about no OCI for MLB. It would only be a meaningless offer letter anyhow. That letter and a toilet will get you a scratchy ass-wipe.

Fat in Flyover Land

I'd like to take sides with 137 et. al. Although he/she (can't tell) is a bit of a loose cannon, their heart is in the right place. There is a bit of an insidiuous and negative normative paradigm vis-a-vis law school students and their expectations regarding employment. Most are satisfied with the status quo and the place law firms hold in it. With a law degree, you do have the tools to do quite a bit in society, but with our slavish devotion to Biglaw, we are foregoing a big opportunity. I think most of us realize this, which in part explains where there is so much aggression and vitruolic hate on this site.

Remember a few weeks ago when someone seriously threatened to reveal PE's id and he shut up for like a week.

That was nice.

Anyway, this is the end of wannabe firms thinking they can compete. There are seriously about 25 firms that can afford to pay 160k and be profitable in this market. It will be nice for the market to adjust accordingly.

MLB is fine.

Go away, trolls ( 176). Are you the same guy who posts 20 times a day that PH has bad credit?

Glad I have a trust fund... I don't have to work. LOL...

Must really suck to get up every morning and have to go to work... what is that like? You people are so funny. Lawyers are so odd, I mean why would you actually go to school to do this kind of work? I find it all very interesting... I am on vacation right now pondering what it would be like to have to actually work?!? I just hire people to wait on me.

179

Define "fine"

and who is (was?) PH

176 AKA the truth troll

Canceling a summary program hurts recruiting not at all. It simply means that the firm is protecting current employees interests against the interests of those who are not yet employees.

Deferrals and layoffs is what hurts future recruiting. Since Morgan Lewis is going for the kitchen sink approach, it's hard to know where this leaves them.

But if a hypothetical law firm has done no layoffs and manages to start their 2010 and 2011 classes more or less on time, and yet cancels 2011 summer program, I'd definitely choose that shop over the one that laid people off. To me it signals that when the going gets tough, heads don't start to roll immediately.

Well, it looks like the class of 2009 caught a break at the expense of the class of 2011. Firms are actually acting logically at the moment -- they are trying to honor the commitments they already made.

former paul hastings employee here i just want to say barry brooks is my idol,he is the only man in this world i think who can put a leash on that fragle rock looking admin,she is a loose cannon doesnt care about any of her staff,i am close friends with the screen play writer the dirt she has on mj is priceless..............hey mj see you on the unemployement line soon

is it true ph plans to out source 3 departments soon?
sources from la say its only a matter of time

*Sigh* another comment stream overtaken by the cancer of PH bitters.

It's getting old, why don't you all go to autoadmit.com where you belong?

QUINN REMAINS

Interesting comment 147. What advice do you have for someone hoping to secure long-term employment?

176 -

That is one of the dumbest comments in this thread. MLB's announcement today is not something that warrants some major analysis. It is very simple.

(1) The class of 2009 was deferred, similar to the actions taken by many many other law firms.
(2) The class of 2010 will be getting offers to start in 2011, which is also similar to what other firms have announced. Expect even more firms to make this move.
(3) Due to (1) and (2), there is a need to purge one year of recruiting. As a commenter above noted, this is simply a decision by MLB management to preserve more jobs of present attorneys than they otherwise would have had they continued with recruiting this fall. The decision was: Do we commit to present associates or do we commit to unproven 1Ls? The former leads to the announcement today. The latter leads to a second round of layoffs.

176 = idiot. that is all.

Morgan Lewis scooped up the shattered pieces of Brobeck circa 2001. Is the firm's inevitable demise related to this event? Most likely.

186 - We have reason to be bitter. As an ex-PHJWer (not by choice), I actually respect what Morgan Lewis is doing. I'd be nervous if I were a Morgan Lewis associate, but I would appreciate that the firm is making an attempt to keep the employees it has instead of burning through money to bring in new ones just to lay off most (?) non-L&E and -IP associates, a la PHJW. It's carnage at "the next Latham." At least they raised billing rates again at the start of July. That's, what, 5 times in 2 years?

176 - can I get to know you better? *bats eyelids*

Hey #4 aka GWB - Take a hike will you?

You know damn well me and my party have been running Congress since 2006! You remember that year don't you? The economy was good then!

In fact, we just made the budget deficit top ONE TRILLION in my first few months in office!!

This is MY ECONOMY ASSHOLE - and no redneck from Texas is going to change that fact - catch my drift Dubya?

176--what is your agenda? you obviously are not an mlb insider. my guess..former mlb attorney or staff with a score to settle. time to move on.

Summer Associate program are and always have been an utter waste of capital. Why law firms employ these grossly outdated methods of apprenticeship is beyond me...and them.

Summer Associate program sare and always have been an utter waste of capital. Why law firms employ these grossly outdated methods of apprenticeship is beyond me...and them.

196--agreed. sa programs are soon to be a perk of the past.

this approach makes a great deal of sense, unfortunately for the class of 2011. Firms like MLB invested $ in the class of 2009. The same for the class of 2010 (i.e. current summer associates). Firms are not going to continually defer attorneys and pay stipends. The firms simply do not have any money invested in the class of 2011 -- and so class of 2011 loses this game of musical chairs.

There is absolutely no need to recruit new grads with no experience. The market is flooded with qualified attorneys with experience who simply got hammered by a bad economy. When the time comes to hire, there will be plenty of qualified attorneys. No need to go with a newby. Sounds like souond business planning to me.

There could be quite an impressive law firm created solely from the cast offs from other biiglaw firms. One which would dwarf Skadden's ranks.

184- One juicy item the screenplay writer has deals with Mary Jane's second husband, Richard. Seems that Richard, as IT manager of Proskauer, was swiping and fencing Proskauer's computer equipment. Interesting tidbit!

201 - and one that would prob kick ass at mortgage backed securitization...similarly useful these days to dinosaur law

Hey 194 - 2006 wasn't a good year for the economy. It was a bubble...created by Greenspan and W and deregulation that occurred with Republicans in control of Congress and the White House. Hey guess what? It burst and now you're feeling the aftereffects. Oh, and that deficient, you're right; it probably has nothing to do with the war that W. started in Iraq. That was a good decision though because WMDs were pointed at us and our allies. Glad you're an economist though. Keep up the thorough and excellent analysis.

Subprime mortgages were a creation of the Clinton Administration 204.

185- The rumor in NY is that the Records Department will be outsourced. Not sure about other departments, but I wouldn't doubt it given Adam Norris' psychology.

192 - So keeping your dead (bitter) weight is better than bringing in new people for the departments that are actually busy?

202: I was an associate at Proskauer at the time this occurred. It was generally believed that they used the proceeds to buy their house in Rockland County.

I don't understand. Why do people keep referring to Major League Baseball in this thread?

205, If you still think this crisis is all about subprime mortgages, you REALLY need to stop staring at that tree and check out the forest. Try googling "CDS" "FOMC" and "Option ARM" for starters.

184: I certainly hope so. It would be poetic justice for that phony and evil four by four.

211: MJ is also known as the Queen of Mean of PH's NY office.

Wow, 176 seems to have touched a nerve . . .

208: The bitch made a nice bundle on that house a couple years ago.

202: Wasn't MJ the HR manager of Proskauer at that time?

202 - Richard was known as Proskauer's "Tricky Dick."

213=176=moronic troll

Hope and change. The way to turn around hiring is to raise taxes on small businesses from 35 to 45 %. They will be glad to pay more. It is there duty. Joe Biden said so. A 30% hike in taxes will have no effect on how they conduct their business. NONE. The One and Rahm and Axelrod no this based on their vast private sector experience. YES WE CAN. I hope every one who voted for the ONE gets fired and suffers badly. I cant wait; can some dope respond quickley that it is all GW's fault. He made the ONE push the failed "stimuleous" and heath care and CAP and TRADE. No blame to the ONE.

215: That is correct. She was generally hated there.

OBAMA is joke. He is in way over his head. Take away the platitudes and the straw man and he has nothing.

What are the chances law school tuition goes down to reflect the cratered job market and plummeting salaries?

216 - LOL! Barry B is known as PH's "Little Dick."

If the ONE werent black he never would have been elected. Liberal guilt was enough to push him over the finish line. But he is really a 3rd rate political hack if you strip away his race. He has really never done anything of any significance.

I work for a major Center City Law Firm. Although I have the utmost respect for the attornies I've faced from Morgan Lewis & Bockius, I am not surprised. MLB and Dechert Price and Roads started going down the toilet when they tried to expand their New Crap City offices with all that finance stuff and corporate stuff.

To be a TRUE Center City Law Firm, the clients -- the Heart-- has to remain in Philly.

I work for a major Center City Law Firm. Although I have the utmost respect for the attornies I've faced from Morgan Lewis & Bockius, I am not surprised. MLB and Dechert Price and Roads started going down the toilet when they tried to expand their New Crap City offices with all that finance stuff and corporate stuff.

To be a TRUE Center City Law Firm, the clients -- the Heart-- has to remain in Philly.

223 agree. It is funny that those fired voted overwhelmingly for the ONE. He is an idiot when it comes to the private sector. He knows nothing about it. And the law school students who dreamt of the thought of the ONE as president are even worse off. Law firms will cut next years summer class by 60 to 80% from what was three years ago. It does not get more hope and change than that. May be they can take their 100K in loans and go be community organizers. HOPE. CHANGE. YES. We. CAN.

I work for a major Center City Law Firm. Although I have the utmost respect for the attornies I've faced from Morgan Lewis & Bockius, I am not surprised. MLB and Dechert Price and Roads started going down the toilet when they tried to expand their New Crap City offices with all that finance stuff and corporate stuff.

To be a TRUE Center City Law Firm, the clients -- the Heart-- has to remain in Philly.

Morgan Lewis = Margolis Edelstein

You cannot blame MLB associates for voting for the ONE. They are generally not the "best and brightest." If an MLB associate doesnt piss himself in the morning, he is having a good day. Voting for the ONE is the least of his problems.

225-
No offense, but you and your fellow "attornies" at your "major Center City Law Firm" sound like fucking idiots.

222- His problem is that he keeps trying to stick that little dick into every pretty femaie associate and summer associate.

MLB has a bunch of dopes working for it. Who doubts that. Its a third rate shop at best.

1 to 232: Roxana

Thank you for your support #204 and thank you for not remembering that I actually voted to fund the war in Iraq - or maybe I voted present I can't remember. Either way, I'm going to need you to keep blaming everything on Bush as I continue to raise taxes, print money, and send GM jobs over to China!

Yes we can!

231: Well, he's about to get neutered.

We are nowhere near the bottom of this economy.

1980's saw the collapse of business management. Whole layers of management were eliminated, salaries were slashed. Part of it was the economy, some were the raiders such as KKR, and rest was a shift to data driven management and extensive computer networks that devolved decision making to people who used follow orders. Just do a search for some of Tom Peters early stuff on YouTube.

This is no different. The legal industry will cut costs and become more efficient. The legal industry will see mass consolidation. Billable rates will drop 1/2 to 2/3 of current rates (inflation adjusted).

Top 5 Center City Law Firms:
1. MLB
2. DBR
3. Ballard
4. Montgomery
5. Pepper
6. DPR

80's, 90's, 00's -- This list my friends doesn't change.

231 He was also trying to bang that blondie paralegal on his floor. When she told him to fuck off, he put her on the cut list (back in March).

237's list is absurd

Thank you Morgan Lewis for being the second firm to f*ck over one of my interview slots at OCI.

Why did I leave my job to go to law school again? Someone punch me please. Thanks.

Barry

Let me help you with some vitamin E.

Soon to be temporarily unemployed ladies of MLB: If you have your own teeth, are under 25 on the body mass index ratio, and like long walks sn schnitengrubben, the Sheriff is interested. Just ask: "Is it true what they say about you people . . . ?"

Yes I can.

237 - That list is ridiculous. You must work at Montgomery, because only someone who works there would put it in the top 5 (even though you included 6). Ballard's ppp was down 25% last year - and that was with Rendell still in office. And who is this DPR firm of which you speak (could it be "Dechert")?

238- I can confirm this. She was very bitter about being cut. There is a special place in hell for Barry B.

The story is about Morgan Lewis canceling its 2010 summer program and all OCI. It looks on its face like a reasoned business decision. (In case you missed it, the next presidential election is in 2012. That is a long time to whine. )

The real reason is revenue. There isn't enough, and when the remaining cash is gone, there will be a dissolution vote. Reserve the same conference room as Wolf Block, Heller, Thelen, Morgan Finnegan.

Canceling OCI is a surrender move to cut overhead. To placate partners who want to lay off the remaining associates. Partners who want to avoid a de-equitizing vote. So they throw up their hands and quit looking to 2011 and worry about november.

Can MLB survive another year?

Top 5 Center City Law Firms are in Wilmington these days.

Hey 165,

I believe I was your interviewer. Not to ruin your Penthouse Forum letter, but I took advantage of the empty interview slot before yours to pump, as I had recently returned from maternity leave and was breastfeeding.

The girls were still pretty full, though, and straining against the buttons of my blouse.

I can't recall whether I recommended you for a callback or not, but it hardly mattered, since ML completely wasted my time that day and made callback offers to some ridiculously small percentage of interviewees.

I got out in time, but I am sorry to see what's happening at the firm. There are a lot of good lawyers at all levels getting a raw deal right now.

Dear World,

I hate myself.

Best regards,
247

@PARTNER EMERITUS

"I have been an attorney for 40 plus years."(?)

You must be hobbling around the office wondering where the mimeograph and Thermofax machines are located. You keep asking your secretary why there is a TV attached to your electric typewriter.

You are out-of-touch, and your time has passed.

If we need your legal briefs for the Rule in Shelley's Case, or opinions in other ancient matters, we'll ask.

Until then, go to Staples and try to locate the carbon paper, the office is all out.

Lastly, I'd like to inform you you've been de-equitized, Counsel Emeritus.

- The Partnership

Any word on the rumored Skadden layoffs?

Are you serious!?, I just finished writing a cover letter for them ahhhh, what a waste... I am going to have nothing to do next summer now : (

244--yes we can! yes we will.

If you are an associate at Morgan Lewis, get out now- contact a recruiter, and try the elite boutiques- the writing is on the wall- don't wait until the layoffs start, because by then it will be too late, and you will deemed damaged, lazy goods, and no one will want you- this place has got troubled times ahead, and unless you have a book of business, you are not integral to the firm's future.

"205, If you still think this crisis is all about subprime mortgages, you REALLY need to stop staring at that tree and check out the forest. Try googling "CDS" "FOMC" and "Option ARM" for starters."

You clearly have limited knowledge as to this field. Enjoy your ignorance.

With a law degree, you do have the tools to do quite a bit in society
__________________________________________

Like what?

252--if you don't have a book of business, you are not integral to ANY law firm.

Comment 246 proves why these internets can be a dangerous thing. What are the odds that a ML interviewer would remember ANY interview from a couple years ago? And that interviewer read 150 comments on a message board, and recognizes herself.

Female lawyers should always remember that most guys would risk a 100k job for a cigar. Ask Bill Clinton and Larry Craig. And new moms are especially hot. Its the hormones.

254: Hope the girls are well, and your kids too.

165

99 - The first rule about Project Mayhem is that we don't talk about Project Mayhem.

Tyler

Really, there is no need to thank me.
Happy to have been of service.
Good luck to all of you.
And if you're ever in Dallas, stop by SMU
and visit my Presidential Library. I plan
on having some WMDs from Iraq on display,
along with Osama's death mask. Oh yeah, I'll
have a waterboard there as well.

This would never happen at Paul Hastings

@ 248: You pretty much just destroyed PE (which I believe stands for "Prick Extraordinaire.")

Well played, sir. Well played.

I can't wait until the next layoff/deferral/new fangled law firm idea story to break, then I can stop checking this comment stream for all the PHJW gossip.

Wow...

261 Me too! I never knew the NY office was such a swinging place.

261/263: I can't wait for the second excerpt from the PHJW screenplay. That should be good.

31 - I can't answer your question, but I really, really hope that so

31 - I can't answer your question, but I really, really hope that so

Morgan Lewis = Roxana

Morgan Lewis = Roxana

Morgan Lewis = Roxana

The person writing the PHJW screenplay is guilty of "astro-turfing" on this site.

-Andrew Cuomo

Comment removed by moderator.

By the way Bush-trolls, the recession really is over:

http://money.cnn.com/2009/07/15/markets/markets_newyork/index.htm

In the New at PHJW
from where I sit, July 31st couldn't come any sooner.
They are still hiring at BDEV and they get dumber and dumber. What new business are they are they bringing in? What new position did they give Joni?
and she is listed as a member of the ALA?

Who are they are recruiting at recruiting?
for god sake, we are laying off everyone

I must say they are good at making babies?

i have a friend who worked over at proskauer at the time mj was there her old hubby dick i mean richard was a crook,he was the madoff of theIT DEPARTMENT,SHE WAS WELL AWARE OF HIS ACTIONS,SHE BOUGHT HER FIRST MOO MOO WITH THE MONEY HE STOLE

SHE HAS HER HAND IN THE COOKIE JAR OVER AT PAUL HASTINGS ALSO,THIS IS WHY THERE IS NO MONEY FOR RAISES,SHE IS A CASH COW
HEY ADAM ARE YOU IN ON THIS ALSO
SOURCES SAY YOU ARE ,I HAVE FRIENDS WHO CAN FIND OUT IF MJ IS TAKING KICK BACKS

MJ SEE YOU IN HELL

Ummm, at what point does this ongoing PHJW drama warrant its own posting?

Methinks soon.

"Tricky Dick" made quite a killing on Proskauer's computer equipment. There were also suspicions at that time regarding MJ. When the happy couple purchased their McMansion in Ponoma, those suspicions really swirled. At Proskauer, we referred to the scandal as "Computergate."

273- I'm not surprised that Joni was promoted, being that she and MJ are "girlfriends." It is another example of the blatant cronyism MJ exerts on behalf of her little ass-kissers. Keep in mind that these same ass-kissers are also MJ's rats. They will rat you out without a second thought. Beware of MJ and her fuckin' rats.

274

LOL! She also has the dimensions of a cash cow.

276: Wow! It seems that MJ was the H.R. Haldeman of Computergate!

274

The word on the street is that she was taking kick backs from the movers for the various moves. That is, along with that little rug merchant she has running facilities. That little prick also has his own rackets, believe me.

Hey #258 - aka Dubya.

Are you still here? I told you - this is my economy! GO AWAY already!

The money I've spent in my first 5 months in office is already QUADRUPLE what you spent.

You may have screwed this economy up with help from the Democrat controlled Congress - but I'm about to REALLY FUCK IT UP by printing more money, raising taxes on people who work for a living and make energy so prohibitively expensive you're going to have to take a third job sucking dick just to pay your electric bill!

...you're irrelevant, deal with it.

280- The little rat (Anthony T) seems to spend an awful lot of time at the local steakhouses, on the vendor's dime of course.

283 - LOL!!! I've seen him there with his vendor "friends." He was stuffing his face full of lobster and shrimp. Quite a trencherman.

What a crooked little prick.

I think PHJW scandals deserves its own post. Tons of scandals going on there...lol...don't work there anymore but ooh la la....not gonna name names but the lid's flying off Pandora's box!!! And I'm waiting for the screenwriter's next excerpt!!

284 Agreed. It looks like all their skeletons are flying out of the closet. Good show!

282: Anthony T also has an, ahem, "arrangement" with Williams-Lea. What kind of show is MJ running over there?

286 - A dubious one, by all appearances!

Hey 274. I hear MJ cannot stand Adam. It seems that she was passed up for Adam's job.

288- It's well known in LA that Adam is not a big fan of MJ as well.

Wow. The comment stream gets really good at night (when PH IT cannot monitor home usage).

Whatever came of that coward who talked tough about reporting PHJW's billing practices to the state bar?

37 and 45 must have been asleep for the past 8 years when Bush refused to regulate any of the jokers who got us into this mess and when the economy hit disaster mode, which I believe was in 2008 while Bush's reputation tanked miserably even amongst his own party slackers.

former phjw secretary,when will people realize there are no promotions if you kiss ass,aformer co worker of mine was fired over taking to long of a lunch break everyday ofcourse she got caught because she was done in by her peers,she was canned and the goons she was with kept there job,one ofthe remaing 2 was soon let go but the other still exist i hear,i wonder if he still walks the halls just to get a glance at what women are wearing everyday , crazy freak how does he bill his hours by being perverted

former phjw secretary,when will people realize there are no promotions if you kiss ass,aformer co worker of mine was fired over taking to long of a lunch break everyday ofcourse she got caught because she was done in by her peers,she was canned and the goons she was with kept there job,one ofthe remaing 2 was soon let go but the other still exist i hear,i wonder if he still walks the halls just to get a glance at what women are wearing everyday , crazy freak how does he bill his hours by being perverted

former phjw secretary,when will people realize there are no promotions if you kiss ass,aformer co worker of mine was fired over taking to long of a lunch break everyday ofcourse she got caught because she was done in by her peers,she was canned and the goons she was with kept there job,one ofthe remaing 2 was soon let go but the other still exist i hear,i wonder if he still walks the halls just to get a glance at what women are wearing everyday , crazy freak how does he bill his hours by being perverted

former phjw secretary,when will people realize there are no promotions if you kiss ass,aformer co worker of mine was fired over taking to long of a lunch break everyday ofcourse she got caught because she was done in by her peers,she was canned and the goons she was with kept there job,one ofthe remaing 2 was soon let go but the other still exist i hear,i wonder if he still walks the halls just to get a glance at what women are wearing everyday , crazy freak how does he bill his hours by being perverted

former phjw secretary,when will people realize there are no promotions if you kiss ass,aformer co worker of mine was fired over taking to long of a lunch break everyday ofcourse she got caught because she was done in by her peers,she was canned and the goons she was with kept there job,one ofthe remaing 2 was soon let go but the other still exist i hear,i wonder if he still walks the halls just to get a glance at what women are wearing everyday , crazy freak how does he bill his hours by being perverted

former phjw secretary,when will people realize there are no promotions if you kiss ass,aformer co worker of mine was fired over taking to long of a lunch break everyday ofcourse she got caught because she was done in by her peers,she was canned and the goons she was with kept there job,one ofthe remaing 2 was soon let go but the other still exist i hear,i wonder if he still walks the halls just to get a glance at what women are wearing everyday , crazy freak how does he bill his hours by being perverted

former phjw secretary,when will people realize there are no promotions if you kiss ass,aformer co worker of mine was fired over taking to long of a lunch break everyday ofcourse she got caught because she was done in by her peers,she was canned and the goons she was with kept there job,one ofthe remaing 2 was soon let go but the other still exist i hear,i wonder if he still walks the halls just to get a glance at what women are wearing everyday , crazy freak how does he bill his hours by being perverted

former phjw secretary,when will people realize there are no promotions if you kiss ass,aformer co worker of mine was fired over taking to long of a lunch break everyday ofcourse she got caught because she was done in by her peers,she was canned and the goons she was with kept there job,one ofthe remaing 2 was soon let go but the other still exist i hear,i wonder if he still walks the halls just to get a glance at what women are wearing everyday , crazy freak how does he bill his hours by being perverted

former phjw secretary,when will people realize there are no promotions if you kiss ass,aformer co worker of mine was fired over taking to long of a lunch break everyday ofcourse she got caught because she was done in by her peers,she was canned and the goons she was with kept there job,one ofthe remaing 2 was soon let go but the other still exist i hear,i wonder if he still walks the halls just to get a glance at what women are wearing everyday , crazy freak how does he bill his hours by being perverted

hey former secretary
i think we get your point

hey former secretary
i think we get your point

looks like those 2 goons paid mj off

mike justice was done in by mj barry and rim

you heartless bastards the guy was a single father with 4 kids i hear

hey rim did you have dirt on him,did you give him up so you could wear those little mini skirts still,gees you blinded me when i use to collect my lunch money
put blanket over those legs

former phjw person here
i had nothing but good things to say about mj
who wouldnt take kick backs to buy a house ,do you know how much money she made off that lame christmas party they had,

my source in la tells me mj has done a survey on which law firms outsource

you sneaky little critter what tricks do you have up those short arms of yours

305: Rim is one of MJ's biggest rats. This is why MJ fought so hard with HR to promote her. It's also common knowledge that she's done "favors" for Barry. How else do you think she went from the pantry to accounts payable? (But I admire her "enterprising" approach to her job.) Be forewarned PH NY office people, DO NOT TRUST THIS SLUTTY RAT.

Hey 291! Nobody wants to hear your tough guy talk. Do everyone a favor and fuck off!

305: Mike J's collection goal for last year was $40 million. He wound up collecting $43 million. So what was his reward??? Being fucked in the ass by Barry and MJ. That's how it works at PHJW. I curse Barry and MJ.

307: This evil bitch gets bigger every day. It was really funny watching her waddle into the conference room the other day. You could hear the friction emanating from her blubbery thighs.

288: So Adam must be who MJ is referring to when I hear her uttering the phrase "that annoying mezzefanuke in LA."

306-That party was SO FUCKING LAME!!! MJ waddled around the conference room floor all night with that phony fucking smile on her miss piggy face. Such a phony ole sack of shit 4 by 4.

309

I've seen that "tough guy" on other threads as well. What a moron!

274 I'm a former employee of the mover "MJ" used back in April '02 for the big move. It was common knowledge in my industry at that time that MJ would not do business with you unless there was a "sweetener" involved. Naturally, the corrupt bastards running my company played ball with her and, as a result, got the moving contract. I've been wanting to get this off my chest for years.

312 - I've heard her say that on 17!!! Everyone up here knows she really loathes Adam!

311

You must be talking about that bullshit "goals" meeting. What a joke.

308

I have a good deal for a truck load of vitamin e if Barry is interested???

315 - WoW! what are the odds that a person who once worked for the moving company MJ hired back in 2002 would become a lawyer and then become an associate at PHJW and then also find their way to a comment thread hijacked by cranky PHJW people?

I am calling Bullshit.

Thanks for playing.

319 = One of MJ's ass-kissing rats. Hi rat.

320

I've seen this retard on other boards as well. He does a nice fake tough guy act.

1. Well, well, well. Who's the NY office's favorite mezzefanuke? I'll give you a clue - her office is on 17. Adam, do you know what mezzefanuke (sp?) means? If not, pls. look it up on the internet and/or watch some Sopranos.

2. Michael Justice was a decent guy and very capable and good at his job. Better than good. He did not deserve to get shafted in that way...but "they" will get what they deserve - on the breadline, let's hope!

3. Rim the Rat - well, the poster who outed her said it all.

4. Jennifer Ash. "Nuf said.

That's it from my end over and out!

322 -- I'm on 17 and I hear MJ using that derogatory term to describe Winger as well. So intolerant.

Here in NY, we're hoping MJ's goose is cooked. NOBODY believes in her sincerity. She is phony, phony, phony. If it wasn't for that heartless little bean counter on 14, she would be out on the street. We are looking forward to the resolution of "Barrygate" and the expulsion of Barry and his evil cunt administrator.

322
Rim needs to clean up her dirty slut act and dress age appropriate. Besides, I understand that Barry has moved on to other girlfriends (he better hope his wife isn't reading this blog), one of which has gone on to become an aspiring screenplay writer. Can't wait for the next installment!

As for Jen, she just makes me want to puke with her incessant and shameless kissing of MJ's huge ass. C'mon Jen!!! Get your head out of MJ's ass and back to the library where you belong!

321- Yeah, this shit-stain PH apologist (319) is a real "tough guy" with his anonymous posts. What a joke.

325 - that guy/girl is a shit stain. That said, isn't that the beauty of this blog, that all posts on here are anonymous? How would we get any info or entertainment if it were otherwise.

326- I agree 100%. It's really entertaining to read about PHJW NY's dirty little secrets. I can't wait for more on the screenplay.

yes the screenplay is almost complete i hear the
word is she will drop a bombshell in the middle of august

beware barry and mj

mj has a few rats who work for her,

here they are in order

1.peggy
2.jenn ass
3.rim

as a former secretary im suprided no one has posted about peggy abbouscotto yet she will do you in ,she use to call me up and scream at me if i worked 5 min of overtime,oh and mj she use to throw you under the bus like there was no tomorrow

Comment removed by moderator.

rim chon hated mike justice,mike was a great boss we miss you mike

i overheared rim tell carol brick that mike had nothing good to say about her

those are the 2 who did mike justice in

talk about the 2 ugly ducklings,they were just mad because mike wasnt like barry and give it up so easily

i hear next years christmas party will be in the basement level,wow mj how will that work i hear you despise the mailroom employees over there

mj there is so much dirt on you its crazy,my 3 years of service at ph has taught me well

i am gonna write my own book ,make sure i dont get laid off

329- MJ's rats make me sick. They are all useless tools. In fact, Rim's function has been centralized in LA for quite some time now. MJ just keeps her around for her ass-kissing skills and to rat out her fellow workers on 17 (ditto for Peggy). MJ is also aware of the "special services" Rim has performed for Barry. MJ's management style is all about favoritism and cronyism. I predict that she will get what she deserves (karma is a bitch).

331: That sure sounds like Rim (a nefarious cunt).

333- As a PHJW (NY) secretary, I can tell you that Ava is another rat. Beware PHJW secretaries. Ava is observing you on her frequent smoke breaks and reporting on your movements to MJ. This is how MJ dumped the salary of one of the best, most capable secretaries in this office. MJ just loves her rats. Fuck MJ and the big SUV she rode in on.

i've also overheard mj call adam a mezzefanuke everyone up on 17 has heard her utter that term

i hear rim's put out to barry multiple times, faking orgasm each time

337 what do you expect, with that tiny little pecker

330 he propositioned pat g she told him to fuck off what if his wife knew

337 she was convincing enough to be promoted from the pantry to accounts payable not bad for a working girl

339oh! you mean george!

bingo!

330 i think he jacks off in the men's crapper how gross

332 the next x-mas party will be up mj's fat, waddling ass that should save the partners some $

343 well i hope at least he cleans up after his pleasure

345 i think he leaves it for the cleaning guy how inconsiderate

330-346 = same person.

347 = Barry or MJ or one of his/her syncophants

329-If you are "ratted out", it is your own fault for coming in late, taking a long lunch, taking too many smoke breaks, etc. It is our duty to keep MJ informed.

349: Ditto. Most of our secretaries are useless tools. They come and go as they please, read novels during working hours, shop online, etc. MJ cannot possibly monitor all of this without some help.

346 i catch him leering at the young female attorneys and secretaries on my floor i think he propositioned one of my neighbors she would not f#ck him

351 I know. He asked me if i wanted to do it with him. I laughed and then told him i don't do it with married men. I don't think he could get it up anyway

Mike and Hui were not that good. You people should stop complaining and realize that you are lucky to have jobs.

Yes. You can stop complaining and do your jobs. YOU-CAN-DO-IT!

Thank you 354. That just might keep them off the unemployment line.

353

The comments about Rim are unwarranted. She does her job well and has not put out too many times around this office.

335- You neglected to mention her neighbor. I happen to know she reported some of the timesheet discrepancies to admin.

Since ATL is rolling out an accounting professionals website/blog, maybe it's high time we had a legal secretary website/blog then you could all have your gripe fest somewhere else.

This is getting ridiculous. I hope you all get fired.

357- the secretary who got cut deserved it. she would come in late everyday and leave early. All of her neighbors saw this.

351/352

I vote to have the pervert neutered

Why can't we all just get along?

360
Can we at least ban him from the 12 - 15th floors?

359 Interesting. So mj's rats are also on the non-admin floors.

wow we all know its jen ash posting the previous comments made,hey jen what was that brown stuff on your nose today

hmm did mj do poopies

jen my wii is out of order can you fix it?

you walk the halls calling mj our fearless leader,you should be ashamed of yourself

364- LOL!!! I've seen her use the insipid "YOU-CAN-DO-IT!" phrase in some other emails. Being part of mj's "girl clique" Jen is probably the safest person in the office right now. 355 sure sounds like mj herself.

its ashame why would one wanna be a rat,peole have families to support

maybe i should be a rat and report mj to HR

yes mj you are a dirty rat,you treat people like shit
and you have the nerve to think people like you comon for real you treat people like there so beneath you

your smile is so fake it makes me sick, how does dominek put up with you

dominic probably has to drink a couple cases of beer to work up the nerve to boink that phony pig

its been known that mj takes care of her girl click during raise time,mj take a look at the real workers in paul hastings and what they contribute to the firm,take care of them every once in awihle,please jenn ass only get off her ass once a day and that is to rub mjs feet

368 the associates complain all the time about jen making social distinctions. if you're a partner, you get exactly what you need. if you're an associate, you get nada she will refuse to buy a book if it costs 3 bucks unless you are a partner of course. all her sickening ass kissing is richly rewarded at raise and bonus time. this is the shop that mj runs. reeking of cronyism and favoritism.

what about mjs rats who do bagel watch on friday
the little indian guy on 7 whats his name and position
is he a paul hastings employee or does he deliver the bagels,he seem to be skirt chasing every friday morning

i felt so violated a few weeks ago
he was looking at me and a few summers i was talking to,way to show them what this firm is really about

can someone tell me his name i think he should be reported

do you mean the facilites guy anthony t? he is another rat.

370/371 yes you're talking about our esteemed facilities manager (he is a ph employee). his wife must not give him any.

372- Summer here. I too find his leering completely offensive. I've also heard him make sexist comments to his assistant. I intend to report him to hr.

359 I think I know who you are. you should be ashamed of yourself.

370, 371, 372 & 373- You need to understand that facilities is responsible for overall office security. Not only should Anthony be observant, but it is his duty to be observant. Thank you for understanding.

370
Why don't you just do your job and leave security to facilities?

More gossip!

Accounts Payable is an important function in ANY law office. You people are just jealous.

Ditto.

331 Mike was not the superstar you think he is. Accounts Payable is a critical function in any law office. Just admit it bitter secretaries, you are all jealous.

ummm...helloooo!! If 331 overheard this alleged exchange between Rim Chon and the Wicked Brich - it must have occurred on the 17th floor. Only secretary I can think of up there is Ava - and boy, is she sittin' pretty. So, 380, so much for your bitter secretary nonsense - how could you possibly think only the SECRETARIES are bitter? As if that's not such a base, common emotion. You betta grow up - whoever you are.

381 It's very simple. You resent and are jealous of the relationship we have with MJ. No matter what you think, we will continue to show loyalty to her. The secretaries and staff can go to hell if they don't like it.

360/362 and others

we haven't seen george on our hall lately many thanks

lol...you are hilarious.....it's very simple!!

lol...you are hilarious.....it's very simple!!

You idiots should stop bad-mouthing MJ. She is the best boss you could ever hope for.

386 = jen ass

97 -- Have you thought of perhaps going into drama instead of law school? You are so unbelievably innocent and naive.

97 -- Have you thought of perhaps going into drama instead of law school? You are so unbelievably innocent and naive.

97 -- Have you thought of perhaps going into drama instead of law school? You are so unbelievably innocent and naive.