BCG News - 12/17/08
12/17/08
Philadelphia Law Firms Face New Layoffs
Amidst the economic slowdown, Wolf Block has laid off 15 associates and staff, while Drinker Biddle & Reath let go of around 20 or fewer attorneys on Friday, according to the legal blog Above the Law. One consultant speculated that Pennsylvania markets could expect to see more attorney cuts in the new year as firms wait out the holiday season. While most of the layoffs seen in the Pennsylvania market have been through staff cuts, consultants said the real savings to the bottom line are in attorney cuts.
Ex-Foley & Lardner Associate May Sue Firm for Alleged Discrimination
Zafar Hasan, a former associate in Foley & Lardner's Chicago office and a Muslim of Indian descent, has been granted permission to proceed with an employment discrimination suit against the law firm, according to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of a Appeals in a ruling Tuesday. Allegedly certain partners at the law firm pushed to fire Hasan on the basis of his religion, race, color and national origin after the September 11 attacks. Hasan was an associate in Foley's business law department until he was asked in December 2002 to leave within 6 months because of ''deficiencies in performance.'' The appellate court said there was sufficient evidence of discrimination.
Clifford Chance
names DC head following defection
David DiBari has been elected as a new litigation partner for Clifford Chance following the defection of incumbent Leiv Blad. Blad replaces DiBari in the managing partner role after he left the magic circle firm earlier this year. Last month the firm lost many US litigating partners after the defected to other firms; the firm has also laid off 20 associates in the firm's New York and DC litigation group due to lack of work.
Philadelphia Law Firms Face New Layoffs
Amidst the economic slowdown, Wolf Block has laid off 15 associates and staff, while Drinker Biddle & Reath let go of around 20 or fewer attorneys on Friday, according to the legal blog Above the Law. One consultant speculated that Pennsylvania markets could expect to see more attorney cuts in the new year as firms wait out the holiday season. While most of the layoffs seen in the Pennsylvania market have been through staff cuts, consultants said the real savings to the bottom line are in attorney cuts.
Ex-Foley & Lardner Associate May Sue Firm for Alleged Discrimination
Zafar Hasan, a former associate in Foley & Lardner's Chicago office and a Muslim of Indian descent, has been granted permission to proceed with an employment discrimination suit against the law firm, according to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of a Appeals in a ruling Tuesday. Allegedly certain partners at the law firm pushed to fire Hasan on the basis of his religion, race, color and national origin after the September 11 attacks. Hasan was an associate in Foley's business law department until he was asked in December 2002 to leave within 6 months because of ''deficiencies in performance.'' The appellate court said there was sufficient evidence of discrimination.
Clifford Chance
names DC head following defectionDavid DiBari has been elected as a new litigation partner for Clifford Chance following the defection of incumbent Leiv Blad. Blad replaces DiBari in the managing partner role after he left the magic circle firm earlier this year. Last month the firm lost many US litigating partners after the defected to other firms; the firm has also laid off 20 associates in the firm's New York and DC litigation group due to lack of work.
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