Nationwide Layoff Watch: The Baker Botts Dozen

Yesterday, we reported that Baker Botts no offered around 50% of its summer associate class. But while Baker Botts summers were learning whether they had a future with the firm, some Baker Botts associates were told to move out of the way. The Texas Lawyer reports:

This week, Baker Botts laid off lawyers for economic reasons, says firm spokesman Mike Cinelli, although the Houston-based firm will not disclose numbers or further details. The layoffs, Cinelli says, are an attempt by firm management to have “supply meet demand.” The layoffs are the result of market conditions and the lack of attrition this year, Cinelli says. “It was a difficult decision,” Cinelli says about the layoffs.

Above the Law has learned that 12 associates were let go from the Baker Botts Houston office. There are reports of additional casualties firm wide, but as you know Baker Botts doesn’t want you to know how many of its people it is putting out on the street.
For the 12 in Houston, one tipster had this to say:

Opus 2 Steps Up Its AI Game With Acquisition Of A Legal Tech Startup

With the addition of Uncover’s technology, the litigation software is delivering rapid innovation.

By Opus 2

Associates at Baker Botts have been surprised about some of the layoffs in the Houston office. Several high hours, good work product people are gone along with some who are not big surprises.

Should summers and incoming Baker Botts associates be concerned? Details after the jump.

This is the second round of layoffs to happen at Baker Botts this year. Coupled with yesterday’s no offer news, should incoming first year associates be concerned? According to Texas Lawyer, the new hires have absolutely nothing to worry about:

He stresses that recent law school graduates who were promised associate positions at Baker Botts starting in November will still be hired. “We made that commitment and we felt we had to honor it,” Cinelli says.