BIG who cares???

Firsty!

I think I could make Ellie tap out in under 2 minutes.

Note to self: Don't hire drama queen secretaries

Paul Hastings is about to shitcan their entire records department and outsource the operation. As with secretaries who have been canned recently, they will be escorted out by security.

Call me heartless, but this is actually hilarious.

Screaming and wailing because you got laid off? WTF?

ferst!

Not only is this treatment (being escorted out of the building) devastating to the fired staff, its adds to the already bad morale at the firm. And #5, update your resume. You're next.

I dont agree with the policy, but escorting laid-off employees out the door, and sending them their belongings or arranging an after-hour time is pretty much universal across all industries.

Woah...is this how other big firms operate??? They lead you out the front door???

I thought that was only something they did in the movies.

There's no crying in law either.

Kash&Lobster Gates is not a peer firm.

7 - someone being blindsided by a layoff after 20+ years of service is "hilarious"?

You're a complete asshat.

This would never happen at Van Winkle.

#7--update your resume along with #5. You both deserve to be shit-canned for your lack of empathy if nothing else.

K&L Gates = TTT

Completely agree with #15. Nothing at all funny about this situation.

Sad to see Elie is back

#10--The attorneys are not escorted out the door--just the staff. Do you think that's acceptable. I don't.

Ballard Spahr escorts terminated staff out the door immediately. Terminated associates usually get a few weeks.

Venable will emerge from the recession stronger than ever.

The physical escort out of the building policy is still the best manner to deal with highly emotional, explosive and vindictive terminated employees. With 20+ years of time at a firm, a secretary knows how to access and delete all the sensitive information on a partner's hard drive. Any peon that shows compassion and allows a terminated employee back to their workstation deserves to be a victim of corporate sabotage.

How is it funny to can someone who has dedicated 20 years of their life? What the fuck is wrong with people? That is not funny. That is someone's life and security at stake.

What a bunch of f'in losers. I hope those who posted get the karma they deserve.

However, I do agree that K&L is a lousy overrated firm. But then . . . . so are most of the other V20.

Unless they are some sort of threat, then, no, you shouldn't escort them out the door.

This is what happens when you let people specialize in HR. They make up stupid company procedures like this.

I am sorry. I feel bad for these people, but it is wholly unprofessional to scream or wail when you lose your job.

Silly question--why are the canned staff treated differently than the canned attorneys?

Being a legal secretary for 20 plus years, and leaving the profession in 6 months to do something more productive with my life. I'm sorry to see what happened to the 2 secretaries but when I see, recently in my office, attorneys being laided off, I cheer! I love seeing arrogant attorneys getting axed! They deserve it the way they treat support staff if as they are God.

Being a legal secretary for 20 plus years, and leaving the profession in 6 months to do something more productive with my life. I'm sorry to see what happened to the 2 secretaries but when I see, recently in my office, attorneys being laided off, I cheer! I love seeing arrogant attorneys getting axed! They deserve it the way they treat support staff if as they are God.

Being a legal secretary for 20 plus years, and leaving the profession in 6 months to do something more productive with my life. I'm sorry to see what happened to the 2 secretaries but when I see, recently in my office, attorneys being laided off, I cheer! I love seeing arrogant attorneys getting axed! They deserve it the way they treat support staff if as they are God.

Being a legal secretary for 20 plus years, and leaving the profession in 6 months to do something more productive with my life. I'm sorry to see what happened to the 2 secretaries but when I see, recently in my office, attorneys being laided off, I cheer! I love seeing arrogant attorneys getting axed! They deserve it the way they treat support staff if as they are God.

from the article:
"He decided he wanted to get a law degree to enhance what he could offer to his clients. "

--------------------

Was he planning to offer malpractice to his clients? No one graduating at that age has a chance of learning how to be a lawyer. The real tricks are not even touched upon in law school, but only known to lawyers experienced in particular fields.

No experienced lawyer is going to hire him.

Sounds like his business was failing, so he got some student loans to live off of and hoped to somehow make a living afterwards.

Good luck with all that.

#26 - because they have less education (as evidenced by 27-30... a legal secretary for 20 years and she can't even properly post to a blog....)

Christ Almighty. For a firm that supposedly takes loyalty seriously, it's sad to see that the loyalty only goes one way; to Pete Kalis at the top and his minions. #5 and #7- you are obviously either too young or too stupid to realize what the effect of working for 20 plus years with the same people has on a person. To be shitcanned that way destroys the self worth of the individual, is incredibly mean spirited and unnecessary. And how demoralizing to those remaining.

The Pittsburgh cabal gave up any human feelings long ago in order to be an "international law firm." Hopefully, they will soon start eating their own young.

To those K&L lawyers remaining in Dallas, especially you Hughes and Luce partners, your deal with the devil has now come due. The next ones will be you.

And 31 you know these nuggets of wisdom how? Because you have worked 1 year in Biglaw? Tool.

#19- You're wrong. I know of at least two associates in the K&L Dallas office that were escorted out after they had been let go.

#32--Mr. High & Mighty. Take a look at #33. And think about that when you get your butt shitcanned.

"On the of actions took place at lunch time"

Email fabricated by MysTTTal? Only he could turn "One of the," into that mess.

22 (PE): If that's a risk at your firm, your firm needs better IT staff and/or software.

Staff with that much seniority were probably getting paid very well for doing secretarial work. Law firms have to start firing these senior people in secretarial positions to save money. Younger people will work for less than these longtimers would demand, and its not like a secretary needs 20 years of experience to get good at the job, five years is just fine.

Staff with that much seniority were probably getting paid very well for doing secretarial work. Law firms have to start firing these senior people in secretarial positions to save money. Younger people will work for less than these longtimers would demand, and its not like a secretary needs 20 years of experience to get good at the job, five years is just fine.

27-30: You mean as if they are your bosses (because they are)?

19 - Again, not endorsing the policy, but in many, many firms, attorneys are escorted, although the practicality when 100+ attorneys are laid off at the same time might change that.

This is true with associates in i-banking, consultants, doctors....

I'm not sure why law is special. I agree, overall, no matter what context, its not a great policy. But lets face it, its probably the result of some law suit filed when a laid off employee did something and a "creative" lawyer sued the company.

-10.

I like to shit in cans and leave them on my secretary's chair.

40--You are an idiot. The staff have bills to pay too.

I once needed to take a shit, and since there wasn't a bathroom convenient, I just popped a squat in a tupperware container. I wasn't sure what to do with it, so I just left it in an alley.

A few years later, I came by that same alley. And the tupperware container was still there. But it had grown, and someone had written K&L Gates on the side of it. Still, it was full of massive pieces of shit.

Partner Emeritus,

How is your summer clerkship going?

K&L GaTTTTTTTTTTTes

#31 with a "post your comment after the correct post" fail

44 - I didn't realize that was the standard for deciding who gets laid off.

Thanks.

Not 40.

I don't necessarily think attorneys will be clerical work as a result of reduced staff. As much of a shame as it is, we had a surplus of staff at my firm before a staff layoff. Many were sitting around doing nothing much of the time (yes, the same could be said about corporate attorneys). Certainly, I haven't noticed a staff shortage since since the layoffs.

41 -
Agreed. I am tired of hearing secretaries complain, "I'm twice that attorney's age and I don't make as much money," etc., etc. If you want to get paid the same and no longer be treated like a secretary, spend the $125K and three years on law school.

It's a damn shame what these no talent ass clowns at K&L Gates have done with Vester Hughes' former employees and his legacy. I would say "colleagues" but Vester's fellow partners are now K&L Gates partners themselves, which makes them no talent ass clowns also.

6 = I also hear that PH will be laying off other depts as well in the coming weeks.

Pete Kalis, Josef Fritzl, and Stalin are going to be sitting around laughing about this story in the afterlife.

K&L Gates, profits over people since Dickety-'07. Peter Kalis fired the firm's word for Twenty.

53 Which departments are they targeting?

Same thing happened at my firm in April; a secretary got laid off and wailed for half an hour while they talked to her. It was very uncomfortable.

10, 11, 24, and 35:

K&L Gates is more a collection of regional fiefdoms than a unified firm, and each office treats its people differently. Thus, lawyers in some cities were escorted out of the building and were given time to wind down their matters in other cities. Its governance and operational structure also translated into some offices doing stealth layoffs since early 2008, some doing a combo of stealth and official layoffs, and others only doing official layoffs.

Regardless, the place blows and is a second/third tier franchise with delusions that it can compete for business against real firms like S&C, Cravath, Wachtell, and DPW (which are also all hurting). Seriously, the firm is not lowering its book rates for legal work but then provides subpar work in comparison to respectable law firms that it wants to emulate. Also, the subpar work is from senior associates and junior partners who are hoarding the work. Junior and Mid-Year associates are given secretarial and paralegal duties, if there is anything to do at all.

Oh yeah, Pete: Blah, Blah, Blah, no debt, Blah, Blah, Blah. Strategic vision, Blah, Blah, Blah.

Jackass.

54 - Add Rick Santorum, both a former K&L Gates attorney and namesake of an anal sex byproduct, according to Wikipedia.

QUINN REMAINS

where have I heard that before 55?

Clients will end up paying for eliminated staff positions. PHJW eliminated their entire local word processing departments in favor of centralizing the service in LA. Everyone knows that this will result in associates doing their own edits at outrageous PH billing rates. Oh, but I forgot that PH clients are all "rate insensitve."

#49--I was commenting on the general lack of empathy in these posts re staff layoffs. And yes I am one of them. Its not easy for us either.

56 - rumor has it, that they are looking at IT, bdev, atty dev, recruiting, and accounting.

57--So sorry for your discomfort level. Have you considered meds?

62 = what does "rate insensitive" mean?

Why report this when there have already been so many unreported stealth layoffs at K&L Gates this year?

This would never happen at Paul Hastings.

I think 40 has a point - let's face it
1. economy sucks - no matter who you blame.
2. law firms are over staffed at every position/level
3. those whose cost:benefit ratio is low, are getting cut first.

If you perform a job - like secretary - that can be done almost as well by someone who gets half your salary..

This is true for associates as well, which is why there are cuts in the mid-level associate ranks.

partners at quinn hear screaming and wailing sounds in the office all the time. It is no big deal.

quinn stud

This firm is falling off the side Pittsburgh mountain. looking up at Reed Smith so much so that Buchanan Ingersoll might be ahead of it now.

#25 -- and most of these responses from lawyers have even a shred of humanity, let alone professionalism? Please

#33, YOU GO! Well said.

This would never happen in Texas.

The ship be sinking...

Must be pretty desperate to cut costs to fire to secratary who worked for the firm for over 20 years each...not letting them get their personal shit and escorting them out is pathetic, and how does KL know what is personal to them and not...big law attorneys/partners have issues

Must be pretty desperate to cut costs to fire to secretary who worked for the firm for over 20 years each...not letting them get their personal shit and escorting them out is pathetic, and how does KL know what is personal to them and not...big law attorneys/partners have issues

66 - As a mid-level PHJW associate (a rare breed these days), I was developing a client relationship with a small company that would have generated maybe $85,000 of billables per year. The partners in my practice group informed me that they weren't interested since they only want clients that are "rate insensitive." In other words, they only want clients that turn a blind eye to PH's routine overbilling, hours padding and over-leveraging of partners and associates on their matters. Consequently, my client was beneath their notice. Needless to say, I was quite disgusted.

66 - As a mid-level PHJW associate (a rare breed these days), I was developing a client relationship with a small company that would have generated maybe $85,000 of billables per year. The partners in my practice group informed me that they weren't interested since they only want clients that are "rate insensitive." In other words, they only want clients that turn a blind eye to PH's routine overbilling, hours padding and over-leveraging of partners and associates on their matters. Consequently, my client was beneath their notice. Needless to say, I was quite disgusted.

Massive layoffs coming for S&S all offices.

What a horrible way to treat these people. First we give you devastating news, and then we insult you. You might set the plants on fire on the way out.

Eighty first!

77 - thank you for the clarification.

64: The word on the street is that PHJW = toast. They expanded too fast in a desperate gamble to get into the top 15, they opened offices in new markets they thought they could dominate (some of those offices have contracted by 50%) and they continue to raise already inflated billing rates 2-3 times per year. A perfect storm of poor business judgment.

#72- Thank you for the compliment- 33

I used to work with those pendejos. They treat everyone like shit.

83: The most recent PH rate increase was on July 1. I couldn't believe they had the temerity to pull this now! A further example of PH's bold obtuseness.

77: that was the ingenius PH50 strategy.."only go after those companies big enough to be able to pay the Paul Hastings fees" ...well we know what happened to those companies (AIG, Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers, etc)..now all in the toilet..

Does anyone know what the latest is on the PH50 thing? Is it still even active? How about the 15-10 they were so ambitious about?

86: Both strategies have been swept into the dust bin of history. Seth and Greg may have been "visionary" in the good economy. They are both headless chickens now. Look for massive PH layoffs by next month.

Without commenting on the process by which they were let go, it does seem like it is possible that there are individual circumstances that account for letting go these particular individuals. It's awfully hard to generalize from a dataset of 2. The attorneys who used them may have retired or left and not taken them with them. Or, this may be performance-based and the firm is calling it a function of the economy to be nice or to avoid having to document all of their failings. After all, lots of firms have long-term secretaries who manage to hang around despite their declining attitudes or ability.

77/78 - I assume you reported those overbilling and hours padding practices to the state bar, right?

It's really humorous how nearly every comment thread dealing with layoffs gets hijacked by PHJW rumor mongers. You're pathetic, really you are.

Focus on your job searching and resume polishing bitter asshats.

89 - I'm considering it.

Bottom-line is numero uno to a firm. Loyalty means nothing. But, there was a time when lawyers wailed when their long-time legal secretaries (on whom they depended for a smooth-running practice and enhanced client relationships) left for a better position -- a better bottom-line. But staff leave after giving two-weeks notice and the lawyers time to find suitable replacements.

In return for their professionalism, when times change, they get an escort to the door.

It's time for staff (most who began their lives from extremely modest beginnings) to accept the fact -- we are just the hired help. Stop falling for the BS from HR.

I sincerely hope that 5 and 7 are fired soon and with no severance. Let's see who will be crying then you idiots.

90 = Shitbag PH partner.

90 = Seth.

96th!

Secretarial work?! That's for first year associates. Make them earn their pay.

94 = pathetic laid off asshat

91, 77/78 - F*ckin do it already. Or do you not have the balls? Because we're all so enamored by the size of your internet c*ck.

Coward.

97 - Unfortunately, I still have to work for you shitbags (since I need the money).

99/94 then get back to work, it's only Monday!

#80--Wish I have thought of that when I got shitcanned on my B'Day.

89/98 - You're right. I've decided to report PH billing practices to the state bar. Thanks for the push.

90/97: Not 94, but PHJW has engaged in practices (i.e. stealth layoffs) which tend to create resentment. Do not judge these people until you have walked in their shoes.

90 reminds me of the heartless partner I used to work for at Latham.

Maybe instead of escorting attorneys out of the building by walking through the entire office and embarrassing everyone involved, they can have their talk in a conference room closer to the entrance, let them walk out after the talk, and then come back after hours if they like for their personal belongings.

33/84 - glad to see you learned to spell. But why so bitter??

"is the time spent filling in for an ever-decreasing staff being billed to clients?"

YOU BET!!! I know for a fact that even if there are support staffers available, attorneys are grabbing their work in droves just to look billable. If only the client knew how much they are spending per hour on faxing, word processing, collating binders and Powerpoint done by Harvard graduates with little skills in those areas while secretaries, paralegals and other support staffers are sitting idle.

102- Bullsh*t, you don't have the guts.

Obama should pass a law making any law firm exceeding 69 attorneys illegal per se, effective as of his inaguration day. Any legal entity, and any partner of such law firm, violating this law should be taxed retroactively at 69% federal tax rate. Partners of any "large" law firm that laid off of associate attorneys since October 2008 should be subject to an additional 30% tax rate.

Finally, the Congress should debate sending the remaining Gitmo detainees to be transferred to, and housed at, dwellings belonging to such law firm's executive committee members.

Rogue Associate posted a link to RateAPartner.com
I hadn't heard of this site before.

GC's might be interested in some of the "practices" you're observing. (Your state bar will always align with money and power and you will be cursed by the black mark.) I wouldn't go there given the bias of the tribunal and the risk-reward ratios.

If you post to RateAPartner, use non-traceable (not merely nonsensical) email addresses and a solid annonymous browser such as annonymizer. Have fun .....

#7 you are an idiot. #26 how many times has an attorney done multiple posts? your an idiot too.

108 - Just watch me. And go fuck yourself you scumbag.

102: Good show! I hope you're talking about the PHJW NY office. The billing summary report I just reviewed is a disgrace. Talk about "piling on."

112: With the size of your internet cock you ought to be able to fuck yourself.

27 is just as smart as any lawyer she has workeded for. She could have passeded the bar and becomeded a lawyer if she wanted too.

108 - I look forward to reading about it in the NYLJ or here

116: It should make interesting reading for PHJW clients.

Okay, I've seen those PH doomsday posts for over a month now, always declaring an imminent spectacular failure of that firm. Yet none of their predictions have come to pass.

So until you guys actually have some reliable info, shut up and stop infecting every comment section.

118: Totally agree.... No wonder you all got shit-canned, you're no fun at all.

Can someone explain why the rumors about the demise of PH? I mean, there are much crappier firms out there like the Pillsbury's, Proskrs of the world

If there are any biglaw partners around, any idea if there is an end in sight for layoffs in NY, at least for attorneys? Or will the firms be trimming further? Seriously, pls

Enployment attorneys often advise that terminations should be conducted with respect and kidness because such terminations produce fewer claims and lawsuit. Furthermore, if you really suspect that a 20 or 30 year employee is going to sabotage the computer system you take appropriate steps. Treating long term, and even short term, employees with respect on their way out will engender loyalty and respect from the remaining employees.

120

The rumors are coming out of the home (LA) office. Someone is seeing the nos. and they are not looking good.

123 - Do you think there are any large law firms whose numbers are good?

124 Not 123, but the situation is so bad that the firm's creditor is seeking personal guarantees from the partners. Not good.

Alright 123/125, anxiously holding my breathe

This comment is addressed to post no. 121.

Over the past several weeks, I have spoken to partners from other peer firms. The economic outlook is very grim and will continue to be that way for another 4 to 5 years. Obama's "green shoots" and the dow's "recovery" were all false alarms. The DOL and GAO continues to doctor statistics but there is no denying that our unemployment rate is in the double digits and has been there for some time. I believe the real unemployment rate is closer to 18%. The real estate market will not recover in the next 5 years. You will see a few wealthy individuals buy properties for cheap but you won't see large scale lending/buying that this nation saw during 2002-2007. The TARP money is being misused. Banks are not "freeing" up the credit lines as Obama boasted. Banks are hoarding TARP funds and buying up other banks. In the meantime, securitized portfolios that are backed by toxic assets are guaranteed by your tax dollars courtesy of Obama's brilliant plan to spend ourselves out of this brutal recession. Printing more money will only devalue the dollar and sink our national credit worthiness. If Bush started the fire, Obama is dousing it with kerosene. Don't get me started on Obama's tax agenda that proposes to punish hard working and industrious Americans by having them pay the price tag of the "One's" socialist programs.

To answer your question, many non-peer and peer firms will continue to downsize in response to Obama's economic moves. This is the worst time to become a lawyer or be an associate. As much as I detest associates for their self-entitlement attitudes, a small corner in my heart feels sorry for these cretins that will live in penury by having gambled a huge sum in student loans on a degree that will not compensate them in the way they expected. Hiding out in law school to ride the recession is a poor strategy. Mark my words, if you graduated from law school after 2005 or are in law school, you are doomed. I predict this web blog will report daily massive layoffs starting in September. The 2010 deferred start dates will be pushed back to 2011, 2011 to 2012 and so on. My advice: hang a shingle and get plenty of malpractice insurance coverage.

You are all idiots.

Skadden Secure

ps; I'm serious, you are all idiots.

128 -- Is Skadden hiring?

115 -
Then she should either do so or stop whining about being a secretary (during work hours, no doubt).

Sorry, but not everyone is right for all jobs. Everyone deserves respect. But, it sounds like she expects to be treated as an equal to her boss, which is unrealistic. Even if she did have the same level of intelligence as some attorney she knows, she does not have the same level of education, nor the same job title. That's the difference.

That said, it sounds like she is complaining about not being respected, yet she is not respecting them...

So, how many incoming associates who were deferred until January will get fired?

When will this happen?

Partner Emeritus... shouldn't you be more worried about whether your SA gig will mature into an offer for 2011?

105 - Hell no, make the lawyer do the perp walk. Let the staff smirk at the lawyer this time around.

27, instead of being so bitter, perhaps you could have looked at your own life choices and behavior, considering what YOU have done that has led to your situation

Also, if you were the attorney, would you think that you were being arrogant by expecting your employee to do what you ask (that IS the secretary's job)?

Um, 133, at my firm, lawyer layoff also means staff layoff...(Don't bite the hand that feeds you.)

109 - and none of those law firms shall be built using Reardan metal!

I am going to resolve the escort out of the building debate for most of you peons. After you defecate in the commode, what do you do? You flush the toilet. Or, do you leave your putrid turd floating around so that you can inhale the malodorous aroma of your feces? Terminating someone's employment is akin to taking a dump. Both acts involve relief. Keeping a terminated employee on the firm's grounds will only increase the decaying stench of someone whose services are no longer needed. A security guard is similar to a plumber. He is there to escort or remove the turd from the premises. End of debate.

Okay, seriously, PE, that is douchey. An actual 'PE' would have more maturity.

An actual PE would focus on the E part and not pretend to be speaking on behalf of law firms he's retired from.

This comment is addressed to posts nos. 138 and 139.

You must think you smell like roses.

Apparently, PE has a turd fetish.

138 here. PE, I find your posts annoying because I'm concerned that someone new to ATL would confuse you with being an actual lawyer.

If you're a law student, stop running your mouth and start learning how to behave appropriately. The law doesn't need incoming associates who act like you.

I lied, jobs died.

I'm Barack Obama?

This comment is addressed to post 138.

How dare you insult me you impudent cur!?! I have more legal experience than you and your offspring will ever have. Law students that frequent this site should be kissing the ground I walk on and be thankful that I am here to impart wise advice on their careers. You better hope you don't run into me in the legal world. On second thought, no peer firm would hire someone like you. You sound like a third rate associate from a non-peer firm or a government attorney.

138 here again. PE, word of advice: using language like "impudent cur" gives you away. You are no partner. Don't bother denying it - your posts regularly betray your lack of knowledge of actual Biglaw practice. (Take your first post on this topic, for example...)

Apparently a lot of you missed the posts where PE was clearly identified as a sinking 1L at some TTT. I can't believe how many people buy his shtick. Anyone addressing PE as an actual partner should submit their resignation letter ASAP, TYIA.

114 You seem obsessed with cocks. Does your wife know you're gay?

This comment is addressed to post no. 145.

I won't waste further time replying to you. If you want to believe I am in law school, or a paralegal or a bum to stroke your own insecure ego, be my guest. You remind me an NYU law student I knew about in the mid '90s. He was some sort of collegiate chess champion. Much to his dismay, he was destroyed by the veteran chess players in Washington Square Park. It is my understanding that said student was unable to accept defeat and eventually dropped out of law school after his ego had been checkmated. Much like him, you have been checkmated. That is all.

Isn't it past your bedtime, 148?

Didn't K&L Gates just open Frankfurt and Singapore offices?

the guys in the park suck and are on drugs.

126- It's only a matter of time.

The comments here that I've read have nothing whatever to the article.

Most law firms do it in this way, escorting out the staffers they kick out. They did it at Weil Gotshal each time they laid off staffers. It really stinks. They are afraid of their laid off staffers, and it's really stupid. They can never enter the building again, even just to say hello, and they can't get recommendation from their supervisor.

Weil Gotshal hired a new managing director in early 2008 and the place has lost its soul -- all because of his decisions. He managed Bear Stearns before going to Weil Gotshal and look how they turned out.

PE is so pathetic. Even if he is the bigshot peer firm lawyer that he claims to be, he is still a sad shell of a person. He regularly embarrasses himself on this blog and I almost feel sorry for him.

K&L Gates employees don't much post here cause the post link is blocked at work computers. We have to wait an post from home computers.

111--Take a grammar class ("you're" not "your"). No wonder you got canned.

The only problem with the way the firm handled the firing was they didn't allow time for everyone to fuck the fired secretaries in the ass on their way out the door. As for PE, I thought you were going to be in Europe for two weeks, unable to post. Me thinks you might be a fraud.

K&L management is terrified of speaking candidly about layoffs, in case word of it would leak to the internet. So they just kill staff off with a cut here and a cut there and it winds up on the internet anyway. All they do is squawk "no debt" as if that is a panacea and translates into no layoffs. Even so, they have been on a hiring spree of no-work lateral partners lately. I guess they're paying for this with staff cuts. At the rate they're going, soon there will be no secretaries or other support departments left.

Really, K&L? After 23/30 years, these are obviously responsible people. So in addition to dumping them on the street after decades, you take their dignity as well? If you're so afraid of what they might do if they're allowed back to their desks, take the computer/phone power cords while they're getting the news. I can just imagine what it must feel like for these women to know all their "stuff" was handled. This happened to people at my firm (MWE, a shithole -- but I repeat myself) and I PROMISE you, it affected how the rest of the staff felt about their jobs, and resulted in the departures of those with options -- the best of the bunch. You know what, K&L? Character is destiny.

158:

No-rain-partners are great for K&L because they can be staffed on client matters and generate more revenues. Meanwhile, management and compensation committees can increase and decrease the draw for the service partners as it suits them. It's not as if partners with no book of business are going anywhere, and when clients complain about the rates, they are placated with the justification that a partner is doing the work. This is what happens when clients complain about paying for younger associates--the firm buries the scut work with service partners at K&L. Junior associates then do secretarial work and bill it out as something more lofty sounding. This is also why the firm has no debt--they've got a revolving facility from the ever-increasing number of partners.

160:

I should have been more specific: no-work partners in practice areas K&L doesn't have. You can't staff them on anything. Besides, they are too busy "marketing." My friends at other firms have taken passes on these clowns. We suck.

Has anybody heard anything about a "bloodbath" at K&L Gates Chicago office (f/n/a Bell Boyd & Lloyd)?

162:

BB&L had a bloodbath prior to the acquisition, then lost a few more in March. I haven't heard about more layoffs in Chicago but transparency, honesty, and integrity are not the firm management's strong suit.

so - you get escorted out of the building, but leave your keys and wallet in your desk -- do they tell you "come to conference room X and bring your keys and wallet" or do they send someone back after the fact?

164:

No idea. My secretary got perp-walked from her desk while I was in the middle of a deal. They don't have floaters anymore, so my clients and I were royally fucked. Do you think anyone bothered to mention this prior to it happening? Um, no.

When they did a round of staff layoffs a few months ago in my office, I was simply told my secretary was not available that day and that another secretary was covering. I was told the next day that a new secretary was covering for me permanently. The more serious problem was that they let go of a paralegal in my department and escorted that person out of the building. I would have appreciated a transition period so that I didn't have to sort through the files and determine the status of some pending projects. The paralegal was helpful in helping me sort through it, and her professionalism was more than the firm deserved. The dumbest part? I was told that I could not serve as a reference for the paralegal and to route all inquiries to HR, even after the paralegal's post-layoff assistance.

Where are all the PHJW trolls? This comment stream isn't any fun without them... :(

Throwing someone out on the street is pretty rough. You do it to avoid someone (a) creating a scene of some kind, or (b) sabotaging your shit.

Only a small percentage would do option B, a relatively larger number would do option A.

Unfortunately the good must suffer for the bad: you have to treat everyone the same when you fire them. Otherwise, this will be yet another "fact" used to defeat MSJ on a later discrimination claim: "they escorted ME out of the building, but not the white lady who worked there 20 years," yada yada.

You get the picture. Like a lot of unfortunate policies it is necessary; when you start making individual judgments like "this one is stable, let's not escort her out," you open yourself up to liability.

I don't know about that. I think it's just the assholes and their business as usual. Attorneys who used to get the you're not going to be a partner, we suggest you be gone in 3 months were given their 3 months to do with what they pleased.

I can think of someone who will probably be fired at some point and when that happens, I'd expect outside security and possibly off-duty law enforcement standing by. I don't think that we'll all get that from that day forward. [And when that day comes, I wouldn't leave the secured part of the building alone.]

164, I was wondering the same thing! They can't just send you your car keys / wallet by courier.

Anyone???

@30 - They deserve it the way they treat support staff if as they are God.

I think you almost got that right....tard

If it happened to me, I would most definitely say that there had been $500 in cash in my purse when I left it at my desk, and if I got kicked to the curb after 30 years, you'd better believe I'd pursue the claim solely for the entertainment value.

You can be certain those "unbillable" hours now done by the attorneys will get billed. I was recently let go from another small Dallas real estate and bankruptcy firm near Pearl where I was told not to use my secretary to prepare and send Fed Ex packages because the firm could bill my time but not the secretary's. I was also told not to be too descriptive on my time sheets because the client might begin to wonder why they were paying so much and the firm did not want the client to figure out it was paying too much for services.

BTW, that firm also recently told associates that "no one here gives a $hit about pro-bono."

106- Not bitter. Schadenfreude. It had a lot of promise, but greed and a desire for power ruined the place. Management started believing their press releases, especially after the merger with Preston Gates. The final straw was the move from an office centric to a practice group model which dissolved the glue in the local offices and allowed the cabal to run wild. 33

162: A ton of staff have been let go in Chicago over the last week. Secretaries, paralegals, accounting, IT and HR were all hit pretty hard. Rumors have it that there are still more to come.

169--That is scarry. What office?

It is definitely not funny to be looking for a job, especially when you are working for an allegedly secure company who promises their employees no layoffs and then does the opposite. That is a big "thanks and see you later, don't let the door hit you on the way out" to loyal employees. K&L Gates was not the only firm to have layoffs. There were firmwide layoffs at another major international law firm this week but the news does not appear to have leaked yet. Good luck to all of you who still have jobs and even better luck to those who are looking for one.

Obviously you don't know the 2 people who were canned. They were very responsible and loyal employees who handled more than just "secretarial duties." You don't know their circumstances nor have you walked in their shoes. These people will be missed - some of your comments are completely unfair. K&L Gates doesn't care who you are, what you have done or what you contribute - you are a number. Notice only the H&L people are being laid off - not the K&L.

Best practices preparing for a layoff. Don't keep anything personal at your desk--take it home now! Replace it all with pictures--LOTS of pictures--of strangers in cheap frames. Bring in books, LOTS of hardcover books--old science textbooks are good. Also bring in very big rocks and place them around your work area as sentimental paperweights. Go to a thrift store and buy lots of cheap clothes and stinky shoes and put these in your closet at work (if you are lucky enough to have one). Switch all your contacts over NOW to a personal email account. When the boxes and boxes arrive after your departure--you will find yourself with a big smile on your face and wake up at night laughing out loud in spite of everything!

You know what I wish I had done but didn't? Taken a big hot dump in my desk drawers right before they came for me.

I remember my father told me 50 years ago if I learned to type I'd always have a job. But just face it--the traditional legal secretary career is dead--and particularly in big firms--has been for about ten years--the bureaucracy has just kept everyone from realizing it. As a veteran legal secretary, I say good riddance to it. The average legal secretary in a large law firm does about 10 hours of real work a week--IF THAT (there are exceptions of course). The time has come for us to go and find something more rewarding to do with ourselves--if such an occupation exists for all of us 50-something out of work secretaries.

K&L Chicago has had 3 rounds of layoffs...more coming. It doesn't matter how hard you work or what you do -- everyone is a number and there is no consideration given to anything more than that fact. What has happened is shameful and no way to treat people especially so soon after taking over a firm.

I love the comment about the rocks, it may be time to start a "rock garden" on my desk!

#1 - #184 Don't you people have anything better to do???

K&L Gates has been laying off all of the H&L long term secretaries. Most of the secretaries they have let go since June of last year were employed by Hughes & Luce for 20+ years. All of these secretaries were top notch with flawless performance reviews. They were loyal to Hughes & Luce because Hughes & Luce treated their people with respect and dignity. Merging with K&L Gates was a huge mistake. Hughes & Luce was once a respected law firm. Hughes & Luce attorneys are now no better than the trash they have merged with and all who worked with Hughes & Luce know they have taken a step down and no longer respect the firm they are employed by. Why put forth any effort for a company who does not see you as a person and whose only concern is to FUCK the client and keep it quiet while they line their pockets. K&L will continue until all of the H&L people are out of there (partners and associates you are not exempt).

I also find it disturbing to see how some of the attorneys in this comment section have reacted to other people's demise. Many of you snot nosed little shits could not have made it through your 1st and 2nd year without a good legal secretary. Do you seriously believe that because you have a degree it makes you better?? Many legal secretaries have degrees and work as a legal secretary because there is nothing else. You are self important and self absorbed. These days attorneys are viewed as cut throats and the comments in this section make me think those views are accurate.

What happened to the practice of law? What happened to fighting for what is right? It is all about greed, money, and getting there before the next guy and to hell with anyone who gets in the way.

K&L Gates will fail - it is called Karma - you cannot treat people the way they do and become successful - the Devil must pay his dues!!!!

To Numbers 2, 5 and 7 - EAT SHIT!! and one day perhaps you will get fucked in the ass!!!!

It;s okay for all of you to hate that secretaries held jobs at decent salaries. Those of us laid off are now not paying into the federal income tax system and GNP because we are on unemployment and not working, so there will never be an end to the recession unless laid off secretaries find work and we're not finding it. Everybody, lawyers and staff alike get ready to start your tent city as the economy continues to tank.

186-

The H&L people made a deal with the Devil. I was talking to one of them the other day, and he told me that half of his business was gone as the word from the cabal was that if clients didn't like the billing structure ( read ever increasing rates) they could take their business elsewhere. They are. Many of the H&L partners have little to do.

I am looking forward to the day when clients of firms like K&L Gates realize how they've been ripped off through the years by partners and associates doing legal secretarial or paralegal work and billing for it. Worked for a partner who did it on a daily basis. No need to report him. He will eventually do it to himself. It's criminal. Saw so much borderline criminal behavior by partners that it would make your head spin. You say it's not criminal? Try white collar crime, theft.

I understand that Partner Emeritus is the mop boy at one of the peep show stores near the Port Authority