Hildebrandt Peer Monitor has collected data from 100 firms, 35 from the Am Law 100, 35 from the Am Law 200 and 30 from the NLJ 250. Their study has concluded that San Francisco has fared much better during the recession than many other big cities.  In the first quarter of 2009, demand for legal services fell 8 percent, compared to the same period last year.  New York’s legal service need dropped a total of 9.5 percent.  Los Angeles saw an 8 percent decrease.  San Francisco, however, demand for legal services only dropped 1 percent.  These figures are calculated with the use of the firms’ billable hours.  The demands for various practice areas were also calculated.  Bankruptcy grew by 13 percent.  M&A became a bigger demand by 2 percent.  Litigation remained the same, and every other practice field decreased in demand.  For instance, general corporate work decreased an outstanding 14 percent.  Real estates is down by 20 percent.  It is unclear as of yet, why San Francisco has weathered the economic decline so well.

Source:  www.law.com

Perkins Coie has laid off 12 attorneys and 26 staff workers.  The firm will continue to provide health insurance for nine months to those people let go.  Perkins Coie announced that these cuts were necessary because of the challenging economic climate.

Source:  www.abajournal.com

Cozen O’Connor recently hired Albert J. Pinzon, previously a partner with Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP.  Pinzon practices corporate law.  He received his Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law in 1989.

Source:  www.anotherfp.com

Ian Gershengorn, currently with Jenner & Block, will be the next deputy assistant attorney general in the Justice Civil Division.  Gershengorn is currently a member of the firm’s litigation group and a partner of the firm.  He starts his new position on April 27^th.

Source:  www.legaltimes.typad.com

The SEC has hired Meredith Cross as director of the commission’s division of corporate finance.  Cross was most recently a corporate partner with Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr.  She has been with the firm for over ten years.

Source:  www.legaltimes.typad.com

Fred Fielding, previously White House counsel for Bush, has decided to join Morgan Lewis & Bockius.  Fielding starts April 15 in the firm’s litigation practice as a partner. Before joining the Bush administration, Fielding was a name partner at Wiley Rein.  

Source:  www.nylj.com

Schiff Hardin LLP has cut down on extra expenses by taking action, while avoiding job cuts.  The firm announced that it is canceling various company gatherings, such as holiday parties and picnics.  Schiff has enacted an early retirement program, as and has also cancelled health benefits.  This is all done in an effort to stay afloat during these economic hard times while minimizing layoffs or denying them all together.  

Source:  www.chicagobusiness.com