Nixon Peabody has announced that it is deferring its first-year associates once again. Upon hearing the news, Am Law Daily asked 42 firms who had also deferred its associates to see if they too were re-deferring. Some firms replied that a few of the associates actually began earlier than scheduled when needed in particular practice fields. Bingham McCutchen was such a firm, announced that ten associates began in October. The rest of the deferred associates are to start on January 28^th. King & Spalding gave 18 associates the opportunity to start work earlier than planned and the rest will join the firm on January 19^th. The firms that have (re)pushed back start dates are: Blank Rome; Faegre & Benson; and Winston & Strawn.

Source:  www.amlawdaily.typepad.com

Two additional firms have jumped on the merit-based pay systems bandwagon. WilmerHale and Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP will abandon the salary model based on seniority. It would appear that each firm is adopting a system that focuses on individual performance. WilmerHale’s new pay model will go into effect in the next two or three years.

Source:  www.bloomberg.com

Some law firms have recently focuses on expanding in Boston. Two firm’s based in Philadelphia have poached lawyers in Boston, many from Boston based firms. Over the span of 2009, Pepper Hamilton has taken on five new partners in Boston. Morgan Lewis laterally hired 13 lawyers from Bingham McCutchen. Before this move, Bingham’s Boston office consisted of two partners. A month ago, Cooley Godward Kronish moved into a larger space with the plan to expand. The Boston office now houses 29 attorneys.

Source:  www.boston.com

K&L Gates has changed its notice period poloicy, making all non-equity partners have the same 90 days notice. For some, this move has shortened the period from 180 days and for others it has lengthened it from one month to three. Some say that this move is fortelling non-equity partner lay-offs to come.

Source:  www.thelawyer.com

Gardere Wynne Sewell has reduced first salaries from $140,000 to $120,000 (before a $5,000 starting bonus). The plan goes into effect at the start of the new year. The salary is not the only number the firm is reducing; new associates will be required to bill 1,700 hours as opposed to the current 2,000.

Source:  www.law.com

Akerman Senterfitt has expanded its Tallahassee, Florida office with the addition of Braulio L. Baez. Baez joins the energy and utlities practice with more than 15 years of experience. He was the chairman of the Florida Public Service Commission.

Source:  www.renewgridmag.com