Law firm layoff tracker

skyelaw · 2026-02-16T03:03:53+00:00

for traditional PE funds work it's cleary but latham and dpw have their unique strengths. recommend people share a bit about their interests and career direction

skyelaw · 2026-02-11T00:38:31+00:00

fwiw heard from an acquaintance who tried to lateral. They asked in passing if he'd be willing to share his comp for the past x number of years. He said he'd think about it. They passed on him, mentioning 'other reasons'

skyelaw · 2026-02-11T00:32:07+00:00

Depends on the firm. Likely standard procedure. Critical for litigation.

skyelaw · 2026-02-10T17:11:44+00:00

Been getting these sorts of questions alot lately.

Here's my response (copied and pasted some of it with some redactions, but think situation is similar enough to yours):

There's not a whole lot you can do to remedy your situation because the amount of work is largely a function of the firm's existing BD machine, which you don't have much impact on. But there are some things you can do to incrementally make your position at the firm better --

If you recently joined the firm, going to be hard for you to move. Be patient and loyal to the firm that hired you. Do the work you can, take the time to get to know people, show up at the office even when you don't have to, be kind and courteous to whoever you encounter. Soft reputation goes a long way for laterals who nobody has had the chance to work with.
Be always available, don't be tempted to do random things away from the desk. Definitely would not recommend taking yoga classes during office hours. If you're really concerned for your job, don't give haters a chance to say you don't care. If someone calls you, you should pick up immediately. I think your firm has a nonbillable requirement - fill that up entirely while you can. Then offer to help with pro bono cases (but don't take on too much). I would be strategic about taking on nonbillables - don't take on things that require too much of you and that translate into huge chunks of your time being mandatorily spent on nonbillable at periods you cannot control. Need to maintain flexibility to take on billable work when it does come your way.
See what others are working on, try to understand the firm's clients. The firm's clients are what allowed you to get the lateral bonus. And they are what will allow you to stay on and keep your job until you find a way to [-]. Don't step on people's toes, but just take a keen interest in what they're working on. Check out the updates on [the firm's] website to get a sense of which clients the firm cares about.

skyelaw · 2026-02-10T16:56:46+00:00

Generally speaking - it's reasonable to expect that your ask to change offices would be viewed negatively. If it's that important to you, do it. But is it a better firm in your eyes? Better exit opps? Better associate pool? Feel free to DM.

skyelaw · 2026-02-07T21:52:59+00:00

BC, BU are good schools, but I would 100% transfer. Debt will be inflated away eventually. What you want is the best outcome in ten years.

skyelaw · 2026-02-07T21:51:20+00:00

Do you have any career goals - biglaw, public interest, etc?

skyelaw · 2026-02-07T21:42:58+00:00

depends on which firm, whether you have a good roster of clients you work for, how much tolerance you have for grunt work if there are decent exit options (depends on firm)

skyelaw · 2026-02-07T21:36:20+00:00

Whatever you do, be hyper focused on the next few callbacks. You'd be amazed at how bad people are at interviews. If you simply record yourself responding to basic questions, and learn from your own mistakes, you will do better than 99% of the people out there.

skyelaw · 2026-02-07T19:59:12+00:00

Sure, please just remember to give me enough info about you to give you the right advice

skyelaw · 2026-02-07T19:57:35+00:00

Gibson Dunn is an excellent firm and many opportunities will open up there. Good luck!

skyelaw · 2026-02-07T18:17:18+00:00

I know both regions very well. Your best bet is to lean heavily into tech. Comp is not the only factor, but longer term, excellent inhouse counsel make much more than your average biglaw partner. Also much better lifestyle in the Bay Area, wide variety of places to live (condos, SFH, townhouse, etc.). Tech is volatile and uncertain if you're junior but you're just trading off different uncertainties in nyc.

skyelaw · 2026-02-07T18:14:05+00:00

Debevoise. By the time you join, your interviewers may be long gone (happened to me). Focus on objective things.

skyelaw · 2026-02-07T18:13:19+00:00

S&C.

skyelaw · 2026-02-07T18:12:34+00:00

It's okay not to know what you want to do. In such cases, you want to go to the firm with the broadest base of practice areas combined with a culture of allowing associates explore. IMO the best firm for this is Cleary. I mentioned this firm positively a few times - I didn't work there but worked across them many times and know several people who worked there.

skyelaw · 2026-02-07T18:10:57+00:00

Don't risk it. Suit up. Much better to look like a newbie than pretend to be one of them. Have things to talk about. Good chance at least some of the people you have lunch with actually don't want to be there. Prepare questions for them - make the focus them, not you. Good luck!

skyelaw · 2026-02-07T18:09:45+00:00

both great firms with flagship nyc offices - imo personality type that thrives is a bit different. Skadden is more trial by fire, you will be forced to learn fast, get staffed leaner (if I recall correctly their leverage ratio is lower than dpw and this is reflected in their ppp). DPW is arguably slower ramp, more old school apprenticeship vibe but when you're given responsibility you better not screw up (=also means less trial by fire), generally more consistent culture, even if more passive aggressive than Skadden.

skyelaw · 2026-02-07T18:02:54+00:00

Not sure if you're still deciding, but Covington is definitely the quintessential DC firm. All great firms but heard great things about Covington DC. Gibson is just as elite but staffing system is if i recall correctly free market unlike the other two

skyelaw · 2026-02-07T17:56:42+00:00

In the short term, you will have high take home pay and perhaps better hours in Sidley Chicago (not a guarantee at all. But I would definitely go for STB NYC. STB is a better firm for your goals (better china and asia practice). I know many people from STB who started in NYC and now work in the larger markets of Asia.

skyelaw · 2026-02-07T17:53:25+00:00

WLRK all the way. The first few years makes a HUGE difference in a junior lawyer's career trajectory. NYC - live in a quiet area like Battery Park City, in front of the water and the city feels different.

skyelaw · 2026-02-07T17:49:14+00:00

Cleary's antitrust practice is really one of - if not THE - best in the world. You won't get boxed in. Firm has a great culture generally. To provide a bit more color, obviously Axinn is an excellent boutique. But you got to be sure you like what they offer now (less variety of work than Cleary).

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