Linklaters has nixed the “Project New World” slogan the firm took on to describe the recent lay-offs when the firm laid off of about 50 partners and 200 lawyers. It is believed that the firm felt that the phrase had taken on a negative connotation.

Source:  www.thelawyer.com

Christopher Cox, formerly U.S. Securities and Exchange and Republican Congress Member for 17 years, is set to join Bingham McCutchen. Cox joins the firm’s Costa Mesa office as a partner in September. He will become a member of Bingham McCutchen’s corporate, merger and acquisitions group.

Source: www.nylj.com

According to Lawshucks.com, 12,829 employees of law firms have been laid off nationwide since July 5. 4,985 of those were lawyers. Florida, too has been feeling the weight of the economic slump. Holland & Knight, based in Tampa, is one of the top ten biggest law firms letting go of the most people. Lawshucks.com posts a ‘layoff tracker” detailing that Holland has let 70 attorneys and 243 support staff go. Ruden McCloskey, headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, has laid off 8 attorneys recently as well as 18 staff. Luckily enough, Tallahassee has not been affected by the recession as it seems the rest of Florida, the US, and the world has.

Source:  www.jaxobserver.com

Morgan Lewis has announced that it is closing the summer associate program in 2010. This is a complete turnaround from what the firm told AMLaw Daily just two months ago: they were preparing to recruit 2010 summer associates. It would not be surprising if other BigLaw firms follow suit.

Source:  www.blogs.wsj.com

Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe has constructed a new corporate ladder.  This new model will advance associates when they deserve to be advanced.  Sounds crazy, huh?  Instead of moving up attorneys when they have put in the time, skill will be the main factor from now on at Orrick.  An associate must illustrate the mandatory criteria to advance to managing associate and to senior associate.   

Source:  www.thelawyer.com

Baker & McKenzie LLP has announced its need to lay-off 11 percent of its lawyers and staff in China.  The firm did not say which practice fields would be affected.  This makes Baker’s third round of lay-offs firm-wide.  

Source:  www.dailyherald.com

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft has announced its newest strategy to alleviate layoff numbers.  The plan is to pay attorneys to take sabbaticals.  The firm has asked 34 attorneys in the fields of capital markets and real estate finance to take off for a year.  Those who take the sabbatical will be given one-third of their salary and health benefits.

Source:  www.amlawdaily.typepad.com

Ruden McCloskey has cut 18% of associate and non-equity partner salaries.  The firm has also cut eight attorneys from its ranks, totaling 13 attorneys laid off since the end of 2008.  These cut backs are most likely due to Ruden’s gross revenue falling 9%, making it $85.3, in 2008.

Source:  www.network.nationalpost.com

Howrey LLP and intellectual property litigation boutique Day Casebeer Madrid and Batchelder LLP has confirmed their plan to merge.  Howrey will be adding Day Casebeer’s nine partners and 16 associates to its firm of 700 attorneys, 300 of which do intellectual property work.  

Source:  www.bizjournals.com

Jenner & Block has taken the number 1 spot according to The American Lawyer’s annual pro bono rankings.  The firm has devoted more pro bono hours than any other firm.  Jenner & Block’s lawyers averaged almost 170 pro bono hours last year.  Latham & Watkins came in second with an average of 164 hours.   

Source:  www.law.com