Biglaw, Layoffs, Secretaries / Administrative Assistants, Staff Layoffs

Nationwide Layoff Watch: 'Technological Changes' Claim Another 29 Jobs

First this firm tried voluntary buyouts; now it's resorting to layoffs.

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PROSKAUER ROSE LLP — MEMORANDUM — ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

Re: Administrative Support
To: Firm
From: Executive Committee
Date: May 6, 2015

Earlier today the Firm announced in meetings with all partners and all associates that effective May 13, 2015, it will change the way it provides secretarial services and certain other support functions. In New York, the Firm will move toward a “shared services model” in which secretaries operate in “teams” that support all attorneys on a floor rather than being assigned only to a small number of specified attorneys. In several other offices, secretaries will be reassigned to enable attorneys to make more effective use of secretarial resources. This approach, which has been adopted by a number of other law firms, will allow us to enhance collaboration, distribute work more equitably, leverage advances in technology and, most importantly, serve our clients more efficiently.

This change will, however, mean that we require fewer members of our support team and will result in 20 secretaries and 9 other support personnel leaving the Firm. While we deeply regret the departure of these colleagues, we must adapt to the continuing impact of technological changes in our industry, which have triggered a significant shift in resources toward technology and technology support personnel and a decline in the need for more traditional support services.

To assist with their transition, we have offered the staff members affected by these changes a generous package that includes severance commensurate with their years of service, as well as a year of paid health benefits.

We believe these changes are essential to meet the needs of the Firm and our clients. We will make every effort to make this transition as smooth as possible for all involved.

PROSKAUER ROSE LLP — MEMORANDUM — SECRETARIAL TEAMS

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As announced at today’s Town Hall meeting, attorneys in the New York office will be supported by Secretarial Teams. All secretaries on your floor will work together as a team to provide coverage.

Attached is a chart of each floor’s team.

– A team email address and a central phone number for each floor will be in effect as of Monday, May 11.

– When you need secretarial assistance, although you may email, call, or walk up to any secretary on your floor with a work request, it is best to use the team email and phone number instead of contacting a particular secretary.

– Each team has a coordinator who will facilitate work flow and will ensure that your work is addressed in a timely manner.

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– Your phone will ring 3 times on your line and then roll over to the team extension for 3 additional rings. If the call is not answered, the call will transfer to your voicemail after the 6th ring. If you prefer for your calls to go directly into voicemail after 3 rings, please email or call [redacted].

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Earlier: Voluntary Buyout Watch: The Bloom Is Off The Rose At This Firm

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