Several major Chicago law firms have been making partner cuts over the past couple years. Firms such as Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw; Winston & Strawn; and Jenner & Block have asked groups of partners to leave or to take nonequity positions. As such, there are many talented, experienced attorneys seeking jobs, and small and mid-sized firms are snatching them up. Firms like Bryan Cave and Seyfarth Shaw are eager to hire the partners, especially those with private equity, intellectual property, transactional, or real estate experience. These smaller firms are less concerned with profit-per-partner figures, and instead see value in the axed attorneys because of how they could increase the firm profile and increase marketing power among clients.
Source: www.law.com