FIRST!@!@!!!

FIRST!@!@!!!

Firsty

I got undeferred last week. Different firm.

You're all a bunch of simpletons if you think biglaw is the only way to pay off your loans. Go work for the government and get loan forgiveness, go start your own plaintiff's firm and work to get the big cases, or go be an entrepreneur and make millions. People do it everyday.

Stop being so scared of the world. Seriously.

those of us in the lower two thirds of the legal profession still are looking at a holocaust for years to come

hey 6, shut up. i like to supple from the teet of big law.

8:

No. You are scared of the world. Grow up already.

-6

Are these un-deferred associates being paid?

If so, how much?

Whooooaaaa. 6/9 just bought and sold 8. Bammm!!!!!!

BAMMMM!!!!!!!!!!

Dear god, please let this be a trend. I'd really like to start working before January.

-Deferred c/o 2009er currently slated to start in 2010.

Latham, especially Latham NY is poorly managed, and lays off large numbers of first years. Getting laid off as a first year fucks your career. Dave Gordon and Bob Dell should be Lathamed.

14

WE KNOW. They are falling in the vault rankings because of it.

@ 6/9

Sage advice. Very much appreciated by the entire ATL readship community. How about you go fuck yourself instead, though.

This is great news. Can we stop all the armageddon talk now please? I know things aren't going to be like they were in 2007 any time soon, but it does look like things may be turning around.

This comment is addressed to the simpleton who wrote post number 7.

"those of us in the lower two thirds of the legal profession still are looking at a holocaust for years to come"

HERE'S A THOUGHT: GET *OUT* OF THE *LEGAL HOLOCAUST*. What does that mean? It means to get a non-law job!

Latham NY indefinitely deferred half the class of 08. The LA office indefinitely deferred a third of the class of 08.

Cue whiner comments from Latham HR.

16:

Go get your shinebox and shine my shoes.

-6/9

THE RECESSION IS OVER, PEOPLE. BIGLAW PROSPECTS JUST GOT 110% BETTER!

Whooooaaaa. 6/9/20 just told 8/16 to grab his shine box. How Classic. Bammm!!!!!!

I thought 6/9/16 was a worthless commentator until the shinebox reference. Extra points would have been awarded had the commentator quoted the movie verbatim.

Where is the Entitlement Schtick person? We love to hear about how certain people don't derserve what they are paid based on some undefined personal hierarchy of roles in production.

14 & 19 -- I hadn't heard of this. Do you have a citation?

25

Why yes. Read the first employee review for Latham on Vault.com. Explains everything.

I hear Dave Gordon doesn't just lay you off...

HE EATS YOUR SOUL!!!11

I guess that stimulus is working after all.

Let us join in communal prayer and hope that these 6 associates land in a good spot on the breadline come January/February 2010. You see folks, this strategy is all too common. Start the 6 on time, fire them, for performance reasons of course, in a few months and then activate the deferred; thus, the firm can boast that they have honored all of their committments. Seems like a good plan if you ask me.

It's increasingly obvious that the class of 2009 went to law school at just the right time.

Classes of 2007 & 2008: cut down early in their careers as the recession takes hold

Class of 2009: Deferred (usually with comp) as the recession hits, but slowly brought on board during 2010 as the economy heats up.

Class of 2010: 50% no-offer rate

Class of 2011: OCI collapses

The class of 2009 is the only one sitting pretty. Should be a great ride for them over the next 8 years.

Sweet recession is over. Back to to the hell that is reconstructing my time for August. I should really give Chrometa a try.

14, 19

Ahh the old Latham Fuck N' Chuck.

What'd you expect from a bunch of aging frat boys?

NY to 190!

For once, I agree with you PE. Wait for December, when the rest of the year doesn't improve as the Firm is hoping.

Then the six early call-in get axed after (1) moving if required (2) getting locked into a lease (you are a f*cking moron if you sign a mortgage) (3) thinking they've finally made it. Just cause you start doesn't mean you stay for longer than three months...I speak from experience.

32, the aging frat boys at Latham gave me a reach-around

30 don't worry Latham's going to lay your class off too.

I'm a real estate lawyer. Sixth year. Even worse, I was mostly in lending, including securtitization back in the day. I've been out since the March bloodbath. I'd get a non-law job if I could figure out what kind and how to sell it. I'd change specialities to other transactional areas if I could figure out how. I've been to seminars. I've read self-help books. I've talked to everyone I know and I don't have any ideas I haven't explored,

I liked real estate. I hate litigation with a passion. I don't have to love my job, but I'd prefer not to hate the fundamental subject matter. The real problem for mid and senior levels is that it's a hard sell to switch practice areas and non-law jobs are such a hard step down.

Note on Mayer: "half of 12" excludes those deferred associates who are doing the public services year-long deferral.

6/9.

I'll take your advice more seriously if you can show proof of an offer from a half decent firm -- any amlaw 250 firm and proof you turned it down. Otherwise, go away and face reality that biglaw does not want you, not the other way around.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm starting to think you Latham first-years that are constantly on here want to see other people suffer the same fate that you have.

What happened to you was awful. Latham's reputation has taken a huge hit because of it. I know I will remember it, as well as what some other firms have done - like Fish & Richardson - for a long time.

But, I'd really appreciate it if you all would stop wishing the worst on other people.

Where's the whale from Latham HR who usually comes on here to insult the Latham critics?

40

there you are fatty. were you out getting McDonalds?

40, please explain, or are you Latham HR attempting another attack angle?

43 - Not Latham HR. I'm a deferred associate hoping to start my career some time in the near future.

What happened to you is terrible, and I can only hope it doesn't happen to me. But, there is no honor in wishing the worst upon others, and it seems like that is what you are doing.

40

44

I do not wish a Lathaming on you. It's ruinous, and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Pour some on the curb for your departed Latham brothers homes.

-Lathamed

Thank you, 45. I apologize for assuming otherwise.

But...Does "worst enemy" include Bob Dell and Dave Gordon? I wouldn't mind seeing them get Lathamed.

16 nailed it!!!!

46

Bob Dell and Dave Gordon should be Lathamed. They're terrible managers. Why let these fools continue to mismanage the firm?

8: The words you meant to write are "suckle" and "teat." I know you don't have to have a decent vocabulary or know how to spell to collect a biglaw paycheck for doc review work, but come on, man, act like you actually got an education at some point.

37 - Agreed. I was a fifth year in a niche that encompasses litigation and regulatory work. I've tried to sell myself as a general litigator and it's just not working. To make matters worse, my two other internships during law school were in that niche, my student note relates to that niche, and I have other activities all relating to that niche area. I can't erase those things without getting rid of 2/3rds of my resume. I'm guessing there are a lot of us in the same boat.

Not long until associates effectively become day laborers, calling in every day to see if there is a reason to come in to work and getting paid only for the hours they bill.

I lied, my job approval died.

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

I'm Barack Obama?

It's official, recession is now over. As such, I'm going out and buying a McMansion that I can't afford through a interest only 3 year ARM and spend lavishly trying to keep up with the Joneses by maxing out all of my credit cards. Anyone want to join?

Now how about a story on how Mayer Brown isn't telling its summers if they have offers or not?

Good for you Mayer. This is fantastic news.

Hope rises again...

I agree with 54. Let's stop applauding Mayer Brown until we hear about the summer (no) offers. They're keeping suspiciously quiet about their offers.

54 & 56. It's only Sept. 1!!! Talk to some of your peers about what the normal timing has been like every other year. This year has been no different (so far, anyway). Now if October rolls around and you still don't know, then it is newsworthy.

They intend to hire laterals...maybe look at the people you laid off first

30 - your post is probably flame, but I feel the need to respond just in case you were being serious.

Your entire argument is premised on an economic recovery in 2010. This is wishful thinking at best, and blind faith at worst. The economy will not "recover" in any meaningful way for at least 5 years. Consequently, the deferred class of 2009 will have their careers postponed indefinitely.

I'm suprised that more firms have not extended the January deferrals or revoked offers entirely. But, rest assured, phone calls will be made within the next few weeks by our friendly neighborhood hiring partners.

I pray this becomes a trend.

Go away 59.

Scared 3L may be right, that's the sad part...

62 - No one of any credibility is predicting 5 years of recession.

59 -- Okay, I'll bite. I'm also a deferred 3L who is hoping to start in the beginning of 2010. I read this site on occasion, and commonly see your doom-and-gloom posts. Every time I read one your opinions, I cannot help but have the same message flash in my head:

STOP BEING SUCH A PUSSY.

My goodness. Is your entire life riding on this one offer from this one firm? If this firm doesn't work out, have you no faith in your ability to convince another, possibly smaller and less-glamorous shop to bring you on until things pick up? Have you no faith in your ability to work in any other field?

If you have an offer from a decent firm, I'm guessing that you are fairly intelligent. There are many opportunities out there, and while they may be harder to find given the state of the economy, they won't be found by being a victim.

How about this for a game plan: update your resume; research some other better-positioned firms in your area; ditto other industries that might interest you outside of law; talk to friends and family about other possible opportunities.

If that dreaded phone call comes with the "extended deferral" (believe me, I'm waiting for it too), put your research to good use and get your ass into the arena.

If and until that call comes, find some time to play some golf and read a book (or whatever else floats your boat).

Believe me, I want to start as much as you do, and I want to start paying Uncle Sam back. But it's time to stop worrying and bitching about shit that you can't control, and to start planning for what you can. Sack up and be a fucking man.

The real story here is not that Mayer New York needs associates to start early but that even with the swine flu, Mayer Chicago is oversubscribed.