Nationwide Layoff Watch: Attorney Jobs Slashed Due To Dismal Market

Which firm is cutting its attorney headcount now?

The oil and gas industry has been dealing with a slump in business for quite some time, and with prices dropping, layoffs have followed at several major energy companies. Because the energy sector is performing so weakly right now, it’s no wonder that the law firms that service them have started performing their own layoffs.

Texas-based energy firm Burleson LLP is the first firm we’ve heard of that has done so. The 130-lawyer firm has offices in Houston, San Antonio, Denver, New Orleans, and Pittsburgh, but it seems that Marcellus Shale activity is doing poorly in Pennsylvania, so it was the Pittsburgh office that took the biggest hit in terms of lawyer headcount.

The firm recently laid off six lawyers in its Pittsburgh office — including its managing partner, Kevin Colosimo, who had served in that role for the past five years, as well was two staffers. The Pittsburgh Business Times has the scoop on Burleson’s job cuts:

“It’s no secret that the oil and gas industry is going through a very difficult time and because this is our specialty, it’s most of our lawyers, we’re not immune to the downturn people are experiencing,” Rick Burleson, firmwide managing partner, told the Pittsburgh Business Times.

According to Rick Burleson, “adjustments to staff” have been made firmwide.

Do you have any additional details on what’s going on at Burleson? Please drop us a line. We wish all of the lawyers and legal professionals who may be affected at Burleson LLP the best of luck while they seek new job opportunities in the legal industry and beyond.

If your firm or organization is reducing the ranks of its lawyers or staff, whether through open layoffs, stealth layoffs, or voluntary buyouts, please don’t hesitate to let us know. Our vast network of tipsters is part of what makes Above the Law thrive — we’ll never ignore you. You can email us or text us (646-820-8477). Thank you very much!

Sponsored

Exclusive: Energy law firm cuts five [Pittsburgh Business Times]

Sponsored

Scissors Cut Money

Enter your email address to sign up for ATL's Layoff Alerts.