Last week, Seyfarth Shaw kicked off a round of 2010 layoffs. Today, Wilson Sonsini followed suit.
The firm just announced that it is laying off staff. Here’s an excerpt from the firm-wide memo:
[A]fter a long and thorough analysis, we have concluded that these changes have made it necessary to downsize the ranks of our staff by approximately 20 employees nationwide, primarily in the secretarial area. We emphasize that the downsizing is a regretful but prudent business decision and no reflection on the skills and performance of the employees involved, who already have been informed of the specifics of this decision. The firm will provide separation pay and support services to help them transition.
It looks like another law firm just got a look at its 2009 profit numbers and found them unappealing. But at Wilson, this is the second year in a row that the new year has brought about new layoffs. In January 2009, Wilson Sonsini laid off 113 people (68 staff) because of the economy. At least this round of New Year’s layoffs isn’t as deep.
In September, Wilson froze the salaries of its secretaries, evidently the firm decided it needed to make a stronger move.
Good luck, Wilson Sonsini friends.
Read the full firm memo after the jump.
WILSON SONSINI — MEMORANDUM — LAYOFFS
Every well-run business continually must take a hard look at how it’s managed and search for ways to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and client service. We are fortunate to work with talented, highly motivated individuals who do their very best to increase productivity and organizational effectiveness every day. At the same time, technology has become more advanced and has streamlined the way we all work. While there are many benefits to this, it also presents some challenges to our historic staffing models. Accordingly, after a long and thorough analysis, we have concluded that these changes have made it necessary to downsize the ranks of our staff by approximately 20 employees nationwide, primarily in the secretarial area. We emphasize that the downsizing is a regretful but prudent business decision and no reflection on the skills and performance of the employees involved, who already have been informed of the specifics of this decision. The firm will provide separation pay and support services to help them transition.
Although this was a difficult decision, we would like to assure everyone that the firm continues to be extremely well positioned for growth and future success. We continue to attract new clients and build market share. We will continue to invest in key practice areas and geographies. We recently welcomed a new class of 44 associates, and we will continue to recruit and hire top talent. We have enormous confidence in our client base, the effectiveness of our business model, and the exceptional talent of our attorneys and staff. In addition, we are seeing positive signs from the capital markets and are encouraged that they are recovering from the economic downturn. All of this gives us great optimism about the future and the opportunities that lie ahead, and we thank you for your continuing dedication to the firm.
Earlier: Nationwide Layoff Watch: Seyfarth Shaw Cuts 40 People
Staff Salary Freeze From Wilson Sonsini
Nationwide Layoff Watch: Major Downsizing at Wilson Sonsini (45 Lawyers, 68 Staffers)
I am firsty, EVER SO FIRSTY :)
Not ichicban!!
Although far from a peer firm, WSGR gets a hearty acknowledgement for being another early adopter of the hybrid tough love model. Folks, many firms will be circling the wagons when the numbers come in. Some of these firms may borrow Commissar Obama’s jobs saved/created methodology to pump their PPP numberrs. In the end, they are only fooling themselves. Expect more hybrid tough love.
I thought WSGR dissolved after it merged with Thelen.
The ship be sinking…
Who cares, it’s just staff. Now they can play solitaire at home on the government’s dime.
Unfortunately, the floodgates are open. More will follow.
First, they came for the secretaries . . .
‘primarily in the secretarial area’…wtf does that mean? can one give/take it in the secretarial area? i think i did about a year ago…my secretarial area has yet to recover.
7 – Paul HasTTTings New York will be one of them. Most likely, before bonus “pay-outs” in March. It won’t be long before we are all gone from the 17th floor. Half the floor is empty as I write this.
Response to No. 6 comment, “it’s just staff”, good luck when you are rushing around at 4:00 trying to find someone to prepare a filing for you in a shortstaffed office. I hope the secretaries that are left tell you to take a long walk off a short pier.
Lawyer secure.
11, don’t worry about 6’s comments. That dude is on his way out the door, but he’s too dumb to even know it.
11= 13
Mission Accomplished!
BTW- Please visit http://www.clintonbushhaitifund.org.
Thanks
I wonder why…http://sanfrancisco.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2010/01/18/story4.html
I wonder why…http://sanfrancisco.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2010/01/18/story4.html
I wonder why…http://sanfrancisco.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/2010/01/18/story4.html
6 hit it on the nose. I guess the WSGR secretaries will have to run up their own telephone bills now as they gab all day.
Wilson who? I didn’t realize ATL reported on west coast firms.
17-19 has it right. In short, a flat fee allows the firm to direct 1st and 2nd yrs to do even more admin-type work, but without having to worry about billing the client. No need to keep the *actual* secretaries on the payroll when the jr associates can (and often do) perform the same work. At least Wilson Sonsini has done something about the unspoken fact that lawyers fresh out of law school have no lawyering skills, so they are best used performing admin work and thus there is significant employee overlap in this area, so the most cost effective long-term move is to remove secretaries.
This gives a new meaning to “glorified secretary”.
The dirty word on the street is that this is just a precursor for WSGR shifting away from lock-step salary for associates to the merit-tier system being adopted by others. Stay tuned to see if it actually happens . . .
10 nailed it. It happens that PHJW-NY is vacating their 4th floor for sublet on Friday. Next on MJ’s agenda is the 17th (administrative) floor. Once all the staffer asshats on 17 are shit-canned (with the exception of MJ’s favorites), this floor can be had at firesale prices.
Untrue 24 — I’ve heard the freeze is lifting. WSGR will realize it needs to pay market in California or its going to lose associates. Jobs are opening up at other shops.
Untrue 24 — I’ve heard the freeze is lifting. WSGR will realize it needs to pay market in California or its going to lose associates. Jobs are opening up at other shops.
25 – So where will MJ’s favorites go?
28: Up her arse I believe!
all so the partners can protect their PPP.
this is the problem. this and greed:
http://abovethelaw.com/2008/04/am_law_100_rankings.php
http://www.orangecountybankruptcyattorney.org/bankruptcy/be-aware-of-unethical-bankruptcy-attorneys-lawyers-in-los-angeles
http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/employees_alleged_tab-divider_scam_cost_wilson_sonsini_1m_prosecutors_say/
32, this story is from 1995.
On topic, I too have heard that WSGR is doing well and will unfreeze salaries and hand out adequate bonuses this year.
The inside info is that staff sizes shrink because they are not being utilized due to increased efficiency of younger associates who do not need as much support as older generations did. This will free up some cash so that the firm can pay market rate bonuses and salaries to associates that generate revenue.
WSGR positioned itself well to handle this recession and will bounce back to above-market bonuses and unfreeze salaries. Announcements to this effect are expected next week.
I don’t see any mention of the alleged “performance” based attorney terminations (i.e., stealth lay offs) that just occurred at Wilson. Any word on how many took a hit?
I don’t see any mention of the alleged “performance” based attorney terminations (i.e., stealth lay offs) that just occurred at Wilson. Any word on how many took a hit?
None in my office. And the office is doing great. Looking forward to getting rewarded with a market salary, not a salary below my peers at other firms. Bonuses should meet market too.
Biglaw is back with gusto. Anyone who claims otherwise doesn’t work in Biglaw.
25: We have looked at PH-NY’s 17th FL. But this really isn’t the proper forum to be discussing that.
23,
In a different vein I think the way offices work is a little different now. We had several staff retire last year and my firm opted not to replace them, because we were overstaffed.
At my firm at least, most of the younger associates and even some of the younger partners use their secretaries far less than the older partners. Young people come into the firm comfortable with computers and word processing, and its often just as easy to type something than to dictate it and give it to your secretary. My secretary is great, and incredibly useful, but in all honestly I probably only give her 20% of the work the Partner she also works for gives to her, simply because it’s easier to do much of it myself.
40: In this mid-town NY biglaw office, most of the secretaries surf the web all day, shop online, read cheap novels, go for a zillion smoke-breaks, etc. If you have the “nerve” to give them actual secretarial work, you get a dirty look and a resentful attitude. One of the more enterprising secretaries in this office runs a bootleg DVD business from her desk (I hear business is good). Another leers and plays with her Bon Jovi dolls all day – that is, when she is not on a smoke-break. Yet, they continue to collect pay check after pay check… What a country!
35 – about 20 firmwide.
41. You are absolutely correct. I worked for a Biglaw firm and I noticed the same type of behavior with the secretaries. While the 1L and 2L’s are well versed in the softwares they are capable of doing their own administrative work. In my firm, the expense reports and billing were outsourced, while the attorneys could prepare their own briefs, answer their phones and any other admin work needed done. Yet the secretaries have Mary K, Avon, fundraising and other activities coupled with smoke breaks, while collecting pay check after pay check. What good is their LACK of service to you? The best secretaries were laid-off in March of last year, and all is left is the lazy trash. You are right, what a county!
41. You are absolutely correct. I worked for a Biglaw firm and I noticed the same type of behavior with the secretaries. While the 1L and 2L’s are well versed in the softwares they are capable of doing their own administrative work. In my firm, the expense reports and billing were outsourced, while the attorneys could prepare their own briefs, answer their phones and any other admin work needed done. Yet the secretaries have Mary K, Avon, fundraising and other activities coupled with smoke breaks, while collecting pay check after pay check. What good is their LACK of service to you? The best secretaries were laid-off in March of last year, and all is left is the lazy trash. You are right, what a county!
Are you people billing the time you spend monitoring the secretaries?
I’m not one to knock the secretaries, but I have heard from numerous sources that NY secretaries are lazy and dress like hookers.
Not in NYC, thank God!
Isn’t Bob Gold bringing in like a billion dollars to WSGR?
Nice to know how appreciated the secretaries are even when they are asked to do ridiculous chores, who is going to order flowers, make dinner reservations, shop for items, pay their bills, etc, etc – do you really think an associate is going to do that? – no mind, it’s only their life you are dealing with, only one more foreclosure, yeah, this will help get us out of this recession
41: You must be in Paul Hastings’ NY office. I know the secretary with the anatomically correct Bon Jovi dolls. I think she wants to fuck those dolls, that is, when she’s not on one of her many smoke-breaks.
41/49 – The secretary on 14 who “works” for Jackie is the laziest, most insolent sack of shit in PH’s NY office. It’s incredible that she wasn’t shit-canned last March. Must have pictures of Barry with farm animals or something.
41/49/50: I’ve been observing their antics and cottage industries for years and always wondered why Mary Jane tolerated such nonsense. Most of these secretaries have forgotten what it’s like to work for their pay and feel a sense of entitlement that would make a civil service worker blush.
50: Yes, she used to work for Tom Fairfield. She is truly the most useless, lazy piece of shit in that cesspool of bad taste known as PHNY.
Thanks 42. None of us could get info on the total of attorneys who were let go for performance. I can only imagine how much harder it will be for those folks to look for jobs. But hey, by doing this and getting rid of the perc of free asprin, charging clients for delivering coffee to conference rooms and other draconian cost cutting measures it looks like WSGR will stay the course on their profits.
I’ve been doing this since most of you were in diapers and before. This site is just proof of all the snotty nosed little associates who think they have some sort of entitlement. You think because you went to law school you somehow rank higher than others? What must you think about your neighbors, your relatives who are not a lawyer – are they all lazy too? Most of you couldn’t change a light bulb by yourself if you life depended on it. You are not thought of any more than the secretaries unless you are bringing in the clients for the firm, which is highly doubtful. You think destroying someone else is good for you – got news babies, anything saved by that is NOT going to you – it’s going straight to the top – so don’t fool yourselves. To bad they don’t teach respect, common sense and manners in law school.
This site is a perfect example of all you snotty nosed little associates out there who somehow think you have some kind of entitlement. I have been in this field since most of you were in diapers and each year it gets worse. You come in thinking you own the world, yet you must have your “lazy” secretary tell you how things are done. Who do you really think trains all you little brats? It always amazes me when one of you is asking them how to do things – excuse me, didn’t you just get out of law school?? You don’t even know the basics about how a court operates. And common sense – you have got to be kidding – you must have left that behind (or you never had it to begin with and this is the only thing left for you to do). Most of you could not change a light bulb or swing a hammer on your own, oh that’s right, you might get a boo boo. If it were not for your worthless secretary you might actually have to sit at your desk all day and work – rather than socializing from office to office, or thinking about the next “field trip” or “play day” you will have. Did you maybe think that the secretary who is on the phone all day might be talking with clients, courts, etc. – most probably you are not the ONLY attorney they work for – today most secretaries are working for 5, 6, and 7 attorneys at once! God forbid you are not the center of attention – isn’t that why you really went to law school – so you could “be in charge” and play God. It’s to bad law school didn’t teach you how to interact with others – like they do in preschool. Believe me, you are not thought of any higher than your secretary, just do the work and bring in clients – and if the latter doesn’t happen at some point, guess what – you’re history too! Bottom line, bring in the bucks, and even if they get rid of all the secretaries it is not going to benefit you – it’s going straight to the top! And, then you will see what it is really like to do the work yourself.
This site is a perfect example of all you snotty nosed little associates out there who somehow think you have some kind of entitlement. I have been in this field since most of you were in diapers and each year it gets worse. You come in thinking you own the world, yet you must have your “lazy” secretary tell you how things are done. Who do you really think trains all you little brats? It always amazes me when one of you is asking them how to do things – excuse me, didn’t you just get out of law school?? You don’t even know the basics about how a court operates. And common sense – you have got to be kidding – you must have left that behind (or you never had it to begin with and this is the only thing left for you to do). Most of you could not change a light bulb or swing a hammer on your own, oh that’s right, you might get a boo boo. If it were not for your worthless secretary you might actually have to sit at your desk all day and work – rather than socializing from office to office, or thinking about the next “field trip” or “play day” you will have. Did you maybe think that the secretary who is on the phone all day might be talking with clients, courts, etc. – most probably you are not the ONLY attorney they work for – today most secretaries are working for 5, 6, and 7 attorneys at once! God forbid you are not the center of attention – isn’t that why you really went to law school – so you could “be in charge” and play God. It’s to bad law school didn’t teach you how to interact with others – like they do in preschool. Believe me, you are not thought of any higher than your secretary, just do the work and bring in clients – and if the latter doesn’t happen at some point, guess what – you’re history too! Bottom line, bring in the bucks, and even if they get rid of all the secretaries it is not going to benefit you – it’s going straight to the top! And, then you will see what it is really like to do the work yourself.
54-56: I think we get your drift.
Right on 48 and 56! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. “Any idiot can get into law school and apparently a lot of them do.”
Right on 48 and 56! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. “Any idiot can get into law school and apparently a lot of them do.”
54-56 — Thank you. It’s always funny when someone tries to ridicule another’s competence, and comes across like an idiot. Though maybe you really meant to post that three times, typos and all…
60 — Perfect example – you must be one of those snot nosed babies- always having to have the last word – and by the way, who started ridiculing who first? And yes, it was my intent to enter 3 times, figured it might be read. So don’t assume someone is incompetent unless you know ALL the facts (didn’t they teach you that in law school???) But of course, I forgot, you must be right, whether you are or you aren’t. And there it is, proof of the pudding.
Wow. And some lawyers actually wonder WHY the vast majority of humans consider the vast majority of lawyers stunningly overpaid and overrated, vile, bottom-feeding, arrogant, self-absorbed, greedy, sociopathic, subhuman scum. Of course, the rest of the lawyers are too distracted by the bright and shiny object that is their own delusion of godlike superiority and grandeur to even think to ask why, or even notice. These traits are especially charming in little 20something year old pipsqueaks with delusions of entitlement who are certain they’ll be awarded the key to the partnership washroom in under 2 years because they’re Just. That. Awesome.
Seriously. Dude. You are such a jackass.
Latham announced decent bonuses today. Will Wilson follow? Latham has in the past been a firm that WSGR folllows.
Not sure about that . WSGR must have set their bonuses a while ago without knowing whatLatham’s would be. My guess is that WSGR is a bit more conservative. Maybe half?
WSGR will unfreeze and match the Latham market salary. A lot of top associates will leave if it means 15-25k in salary.
54-56 sounds like some bitter ole beeyatch who has been working for the proverbial old fart of counsel/retired partner for the last 35 yrs. Guy probably has never seen a computer.
61 — I believe you meant “snot-nosed.” And one thing they did teach us in law school is that it’s not grammatically correct to end a question with three question marks. As a secretary, I would think that’s really one of the (few) things you are supposed to know. … Teasing aside, the point of me highlighting your errors is simply this: If you want to criticize young associates for being worthless, you should, in the least, exemplify some level of competence in the basic skills that form the supposed-center of your role… since apparently all of the young associates could not survive without your adept spelling.
And just so you know, I am a mid-level at one of WSGR’s peer firms … and consider myself quite competent, as is my secretary. But she would never post such a shallow and self-centered message, claiming to be the center of the firm’s practice. Without those “snot nosed” associates, you would not have a job.
what happened to all the comments?