In these difficult economic times there are a number of reasons why lawyers are out-of-work:  lay-offs, deferments, firms are just not hiring like once before.  Whatever the reason, what do all of these people share in common?  They are either actively in search of or currently finding ways to fill their time, their resumes, and their wallets.  The luckiest of the bunch are those deferred for a year and offered an opportunity to work for a non-profit as they are still able to work in their field.  There are also programs such as the Boston Bar Association’s Lawyers in Transition Task Force which helps the unemployed find paid and volunteer work.  More and more lawyers are taking positions at smaller firms as competition becomes fiercer.  Some out-of-work lawyers are turning in their ties and suits for service industry uniforms.

Source:  www.boston.bizjournals.com

Stephen Crimmins joins K&L Gates from Mayer Brown.  Crimmins joins the Washington office as a partner.  Prior to practicing with Mayer Brown, he was with the SEC for 14 years.

Source:  www.legaltimes.typepad.com

A new trend has emerged in which associates fresh out of law school are no longer allowed to bill clients the same amount as seasoned associates.  Howrey, for instance, will initiate a type of training program for new associates.  Their first year, associates will be able to bill clients as much as 700 hours out of 2,000.  The second year, associates will be able to charge for 1,000 hours of work.  The hours billed will also be half of the Howrey’s current rates.

Source:  www.businessweek.com

Jones Day has added Adam Scarrott to its ranks as Of Counsel.  Scarrott joins from CapitalSource Europe and brings with him expertise in transactional finance.  He focuses his practice on asset-based lending.

Source:  www.lawgazette.co

Ropes & Gray has lost Stephen Shay to the U.S. Treasury Department for which he will become the deputy assistant secretary for international tax affairs. But, the firm’s overall number will not be depleted, as Mark Popofsky joins as partner in the D.C. office. Popofsky practiced with for Kaye Scholer.

Source:  www.legaltimes.typepad.com

Kirkland & Ellis has hired Patrick Nash Jr. Nash is leaving Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom, where he has practiced for the last nine years. He joins Kirkland in Chicago as a partner.

Source: www.chicagotribune.com

Blake Lapthorn has backed away from the lockstep system towards a merit-based model.  The driving reason for this move is the major drop in its average profit per equity partner (PEP).  It fell 68 percent, from £204,000 to £65,000.  The new number is low that even some associates are earning more than the partners.   

Source:  www.thelawyer.com