Am Law 100 Firm Reverses Course On COVID Cuts, Restores Full Pay

But will employees be made whole for the money they missed out on?

As we close out the year of the pandemic, Biglaw firms that instituted austerity measures thanks to the novel coronavirus and the economic uncertainties that came along with it are now walking them back in their entirety. Today, we have news on that front from Blank Rome.

Back in April, the firm — which found itself at No. 80 in the latest Am Law 100 rankings, posting $474,010,000 in gross revenue in 2019 — not only furloughed a small number of staff members, but it also moved forward with across-the-board pay cuts, slashing salaries up and down the ladder by 15 percent for everyone ranging from staff to partners. After about six months of going without their full salaries, we’ve now received word that the firm has rolled back its all of its cuts.

Employees at Blank Rome are now wondering if they’ll receive true-up payments that will make them whole. We’ve reached out to the firm for comment, and will provide an update here if and when we hear back.

If your firm or organization is slashing salaries or restoring previous cuts, closing its doors, or reducing the ranks of its lawyers or staff, whether through open layoffs, 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. You can email us or text us (646-820-8477).

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Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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