WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI — MEMORANDUM — SECRETARIAL LAYOFFS
To: Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Employees
From: Doug Clark and Jack Sheridan
Date: September 25, 2013
Re: Legal Support Restructuring
As you know, the legal industry has been evolving rapidly, with technology and increased operational efficiencies resulting in a profound change in work habits. In the past few months, we have spent a significant amount of time thinking about the firm’s legal support services and how we can structure our organization to better meet the needs of today’s lawyers, support our clients, and utilize the potential of our legal support staff. Therefore, after a great deal of careful analysis and deliberation, we are making some adjustments to our existing legal support structure. This reorganization will result in the elimination of approximately 35 secretarial positions, primarily in Palo Alto. The affected legal secretaries will receive separation pay and the appropriate support services to help them with the transition.
While some disruption is inevitable, please know that we will make every effort to make this transition as smooth as possible. We will be holding a series of town hall meetings for both attorneys and staff to further explain the decision and answer any questions. Details will follow shortly.
We cannot stress enough that this action is no reflection on the abilities of our legal support staff. They are simply the best in the business—but, unfortunately, the job and the industry have changed, and we must make some changes to more efficiently serve our internal constituency and clients, and better position the firm for the future.
Wilson Sonsini Slashes 35 Secretarial Jobs [Am Law Daily]
Profits Per Partner: Profits Increase Moderately (2012 Am Law 100) [Am Law Daily]
Earlier: The Layoff Train Is Out of Control, And Your Firm’s Next