Layoffs, Midsize Firms / Regional Firms

Large Law Firm Suddenly Closes, Leaving 100+ Lawyers Jobless

This large firm turned into a fly-by-night operation due to its precarious financials.

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Businessman holding closed sign to viewerHere today, gone tomorrow. That seems to be the unwitting slogan for many large law firms that have recently turned into fly-by-night operations. As we mentioned last summer, “Law firms come and law firms go, but if they go suddenly and unexpectedly, they leave complete catastrophes in their wake.” Today, we have unfortunate news about another large firm that will be closing its doors without much warning, and this time, more than 100 lawyers and almost 200 staffers across 15 offices nationwide will be left without jobs.

The firm that’s shuttering its doors is Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan, a national minority-owned law firm that’s one of the largest firms in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. According to its website listing, the firm currently has 115 lawyers, but other publications say the firm employs up to 127 lawyers. Lawyers and staff members were alerted to the firm’s impending closure during a firmwide call on Monday. Gonzalez Saggio, a firm that specializes in corporate defense in all areas of the law, was apparently having financial problems. Just last month, the firm held a meeting to discuss plans for the new year, but not a word was said about its precarious financial situation.

Gonzalez Saggio has offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Miami, Milwaukee, Nashville, New York, Phoenix, Pasadena (CA), Wayne (NJ), West Des Moines (IA), and Washington, D.C. All of them will be shuttering soon.

Firm chairman Emery Harlan issued the following statement via email:

After considerable analysis and deliberation, the equity partners of Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan have voted to discontinue the operation of the firm effective Feb. 29, 2016. Our immediate concern is to our clients and working with our lawyers and employees to transition the legal services we have been providing to other firms or lawyers.

We remain proud of our ability to demonstrate that a law firm which truly values diversity and inclusion can compete with the largest firms in the country. The lawyers and staff who were part of the firm will remain on the front line in this effort to ensure that women and minority owned law firms are afforded a full and fair opportunity to compete for legal work.

Joe Fasi II, a Gonzalez Saggio equity partner who was on his way out the door to join another firm before the closure announcement was made, said, “It’s stunning news. A lot of friends of mine are going to end up looking for work.” The firm has yet to file a notice of mass layoff with the State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.

We wish the hundreds of lawyers and legal professionals affected at Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan the best of luck while they seek new jobs.

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If your firm or organization is reducing the ranks of its lawyers or staff, whether through open layoffs or 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!

Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan, Milwaukee area’s ninth-largest law firm, closing abruptly [Milwaukee Business Journal]
Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan law firm is closing [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]

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