Incrementally, the pace of layoffs has been picking up. Perhaps firms are trying to get through all of their cuts before the holiday season?

The latest news comes from Day Pitney. A tipster reports:

Day Pitney in CT laid off 30 staff today and moved staff to lower positions.

A spokesperson from Day Pitney confirmed that the firm laid of 29 staff (not 30). The move was part of a staff reorganization and affected staffers in eight of the firm’s nine offices.

No attorneys were laid off.

Let’s check Day Pitney’s layoff history after the jump.

You really have to take a step back and think about what summer associate programs used to be in order to appreciate what they are becoming. It is hard to imagine that a recruitment model that firms used for years is suddenly so “outmoded” that some firms are doing away with it entirely.

Day Pitney isn’t canceling its summer program, but the firm is making significant changes. The firm issued a statement about its new summer mission:

Day Pitney announced today that beginning in May 2010 the firm will alter its traditional summer associate program to focus on apprenticeships.

The summer apprenticeship program will be an eight-week course designed to prepare law students for the practice of law through practical, day-to-day applications and on-the-job training. Apprentices will learn by shadowing Day Pitney lawyers and working with firm professionals in one-on-one coaching scenarios. They will also collaborate with lawyer teams handling ongoing client matters. The practice-based learning approach will be supplemented with focused training workshops and diversity and community service activities designed to teach law students about the firm’s culture and key core values.

Why does the firm have to change the program to have “on-the-job training”? What does “day-to-day applications” even mean? What was wrong with the old way?

Actually, don’t answer that. We all know what was wrong with the old way. Let’s embrace the new way of doing things after the jump.

Back in February, Day Pitney laid off a number of staff. Today, the bad news has trickled up into the associate ranks. The firm wide memo just went out:

Earlier today, we met with 20 associates and counsel to notify them that their positions are being eliminated. The reductions are spread throughout our offices and practice areas. We deeply regret the need to take these steps. All of the people whose jobs have been eliminated are highly skilled professionals who have made significant contributions to the Firm. Each person has been offered a severance package that includes outplacement services.

Does anybody know when the Day Pitney summers are starting?

At least the displaced Day Pitney associates will get to enjoy their summer without having to worry about working inside all day. Fresh air, clean living, and maybe some camping? They can get a head start on learning the post-apocalyptic survival skills that will be key come the fall.

Read the full memo after the jump. Good luck to those who lost their jobs today.

Dreams of a pleasant morning coding documents and browsing eHarmony turned into a nightmare for 66 assistants and paralegals at Day Pitney. Jim Sicilian, co-chair of the Executive Committee, told ATL via phone that 66 staff members were laid off across all firm offices. According to Jim, no associate layoffs are planned for the moment.

The news comes as somewhat of a relief because it initially appeared that the firm was mounting a black ops assault:

An assistant and paralegal in the hall near me were called down to a conference room and immediately let go. One was working on an assignment for me and left in the middle of it — never to return.

Or a government sting:

Head of HR is camped out in conference room and calling for people to come down. When they go back to their office, their computers are locked out, and they can’t even access to close out a document or grab personal files. Now, the office is paralyzed waiting for the phone to ring.

Town meetings are in store for attorneys and staff later today or tomorrow. It appears that some members of staff will be unable to attend.

Update: More coverage from the Connecticut Law Tribune.

Day Pitney Memo [PDF]
Layoffs Hit Connecticut [Connecticut Law Tribune]