Some firms are creating programs that lend junior lawyers to public interest practices with the intent minimizing layoff numbers, while giving these attorneys some experience.  Sidley Austin LLP, Latham & Watkins, and Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe are a few of the firms with such a program.  Latham & Watkins offered its incoming associates a salary of $75,000 for doing community service work for one year, and thus delaying their start dates until October 2010.  Orrick has done something similar, in that the firm has asked about 70 third year students, who were previously promised jobs, to defer for year, or take on a fellowship in public service for a year.  

Source:  www.latimes.com