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

The U.S. Department of Labor released the numbers of May.  Last month, a total of 1300 legal jobs were lost in the United States.  This number happens to be the lowest of the year, so far.  Although this is comforting and perhaps a sign that the market is getting better, it may merely be a result of having already let go of so many; 14,400 have already been let go from the start of the year.  25,500 (or when not seasonally adjusted – 30,200) have been laid off in the past year.  Only time will tell.

Source:  www.nylj.com

Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom has kept on all of its newly qualified lawyers at its London office.  There were only three.  Weil Gotshal & Manges has offered employment to 85% of its London trainees (11 out of 13).  Latham & Watkins has hired 78% of its trainee group.

Source:  www.thelawyer.com

1,200 attorney firm Pinsent Masons and 750 attorney firm Salans have announced a new strategic alliance.  The agreement will give each firm a greater global reach and ability to better serve its clients.

Source:  www.law.com