BigLaw in Texas: Fewer Associates, Less Pay, Delayed Starts

Most of the big law firms in Texas have delayed start dates and decreased salaries for first year associates. Five big law firms refused to provide data on new associates in their Texas offices including: Baker & McKenzie; Brown McCarrol; Fulbright & Jaworski; Greenberg Traurig; and King & Spalding. The other firms offered this data: there are a combined 358 new associates scattered across these 21 firms. Last year there were 397 new associates. 125 associates, or one-third, will not start until January 1, 2010 or later.

Source:  www.law.com

Tags:  Dallas

Darby & Darby’s Big Loss is McDermott’s Big Gain

McDermott, Will & Emery has boosted its New York office with the hire of two IP attorneys from Daryby & Darby. Joseph Robinson and Robert Shaffer join as partners. Robinson’s departure may do some significant damage to Darby & Darby due to the substantial revenue he produced. The firm apparently new of their departures ahead of time and are planning to hire more partners to make up for the revenue lost.

Source:  www.law.com

Tags:  McDermott Will & Emery LLP | New York

Possible Merger in the Works

The word on the street tells us that Folger Levin & Kahn and Crowell & Moring are in the midst of a merger discussion. This rumor has yet to be confirmed or denied by the two firms. It was first leaked about a month ago.

Source:  www.nylj.com

Baker & Hostetler Hire Three For New York

Baker & Hostetler has boosted its New York presence with the lateral hire of three attorneys. Mark Kornfeld joins from Hogan & Hartson. Deborah Renner, once a partner at Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal, and Gonzalo Zeballos, a former assistant general counsel for American International Group Inc. also join the firm. Baker Hostetler’s New York managing partner, George Stamboulidis, explains that the firm rented another floor for the sheer purpose of hiring more attorneys. The New York office now has more than 90 attorneys.

Source:  www.nylj.com

Tags:  Baker & Hostetler LLP | New York

MoFo Cuts First Year Salary Except in NY

Morrison & Foerster is planning to cut starting salaries down to $145,000 for all U.S. associates except for those in New York. The New York salary will remain at $160,000. Several other U.S. law firms have cut salaries this year as well, such as: Nixon Peabody, Baker & McKenzie and Chadbourne & Parke.

Source:  www.bloomberg.com

Tags:  Morrison & Foerster LLP

DLA Piper Launches in São Paulo

DLA Piper will be launching an office in São Paulo within a few months. The firm is awaiting approval from Ordem dos Advogados, the Brazilian bar. This news comes soon after Gibson Dunn & Crutcher announced its plans to open in São Paulo.

Source:  www.thelawyer.com

Tags:  DLA Piper | Sao Paulo