14 trainee solicitors called their message machines only to hear that they have been let go from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.  Additionally, the recorded voices on those machines did not belong to a single a partner, but were the voices of human resource workers.  When criticized for not delivering the message personally to these individuals, the firm explained the need to relay the message as quickly as possible so the trainees would not hear it from another source first.

Source:  www.nylj.com

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. has hired Sallye Clark, a talented telecommunications lawyer.  Clark joins the Washington office as a Member.  Most recently, she practiced with Arent Fox as a partner.  

Source:  www.businesswire.com

Obama has recruited two Washington lawyers to the job of ambassador.  Williams & Connolly will lose partner Howard Gutman to the position of ambassador to Belgium.  Mark Gitenstein, a partner in Mayer Brown, is to become ambassador to Romania. 

Source:  www.nylj.com

Paul Maher, formerly co-vice chairman of Mayer Brown, is set to join Greenberg Traurig.  He will launch the firm’s London branch, from now on to be called:  Greenberg Traurig Maher.  Maher’s official titles are chairman of the London office and co-chair of the firm’s global M&A practice.  An additional two former Mayer Brown partners, Fiona Adams and Cate Sharp, join with Maher.

Source:  www.thelawyer.com

Despite the fact that firm Pinsent Masons announced a 1 percent rise in last year’s financial year, the firm is planning redundancy talks.  Managing partner, David Ryan, says that the firm has tried everything possible to avoid layoffs, but they are inevitable.  But layoffs are only one of the 7 point plan.  Pinsent will push for employees to take on part-time commitments, sabbaticals, and pay freezes.   The firm hopes to cut costs everywhere possible, increase staff deployment between offices, and increase client secondments.  

Source:  www.thelawyer.com

A team of three partners has joined Baker & McKenzie in Toronto.  The group specializes in insolvency and restructuring.  Chris Besant, Frank Spizzirri and Lydia Salvi are the newcomers; all join from  Cassels, Brock & Blackwell.  

Source:  www.exchangemagazine.com

Clifford Chance has recently had four departures from its New York litigation practice.  The latest two are Joel Cohen and George Schieren, security litigation partners.  Mark Kirsch announced his leaving of the firm about a week ago.  Mark Holland is dumping Clifford Chance for Goodwin Procter. 

Source:  www.nylj.com