Nationwide Layoff Watch: Mayer Brown Reducing Its Force by 75

Mayer Brown associates got a disturbing email this morning:

After careful consideration, the firm has decided to implement a job reduction in our US offices that will affect 28 associates and counsel and 47 staff members.

This can’t be good news for the firm’s incoming mutineers who are still waiting to hear back about their start dates. Though the memo, available in full after the jump, suggests that despite laying off these 75 people, things look bright there:

Despite this necessary action, we see encouraging signs for 2010. Thus far, the year is off to a positive start. Taking this step will enable us to maintain our financial strength and continue investing in our practices, our global platform and the professional development of our people – and thereby enhance our ability to provide clients with the high standard of legal work and service that defines Mayer Brown.

We hope the 75 people losing their jobs today were left off the distribution list, because that smarts…

The firm hasn’t publicly laid off associates since 2008, when it sent 33 lawyers packing.

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Is this the price for Mayer Brown’s pay raise earlier this year?

MAYER BROWN MEMORANDUM

After careful consideration, the firm has decided to implement a job reduction in our US offices that will affect 28 associates and counsel and 47 staff members.

We regret having to take this step, because we recognize its impact on colleagues whom we value and whose contribution to the firm we respect and appreciate. Although most of our practices are performing well, overall demand for legal services has not recovered fully, and in today’s tight legal job market, voluntary lawyer departures have been significantly lower than our normal levels.

Prudent management requires that we align firm-wide personnel levels with current and anticipated demand for legal services. Affected personnel will receive salary and benefits continuation packages,
outplacement counseling and other assistance to help them through this difficult time.

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Despite this necessary action, we see encouraging signs for 2010. Thus far, the year is off to a positive start. Taking this step will enable us to maintain our financial strength and continue investing in our practices, our global platform and the professional development of our people – and thereby enhance our ability to provide clients with the high standard of legal work and service that defines Mayer Brown.

Earlier: Mayer Brown: True-Up Raises in Washington. Somebody Get Sidley on the Phone.

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