Hatchet Falls on 33 Lawyers at Mayer Brown

[WSJ_law_blog]

Ah, all the news is bad. The markets are down and the law-firm layoffs continue. The latest, courtesy of Mayer Brown:

Despite the current conditions in the worldwide financial markets, Mayer Brown is having a strong year, with an increase in gross revenues. Most of our practice areas are performing well. We have benefited greatly from our practice area and geographic diversity, including our recent merger with JSM in Asia. However, as is the case in all other comparable law firms, some of our practice areas have been adversely affected by the slowdown in economic activity.

Accordingly, we have asked 33 lawyers and some support and administrative staff in our US offices to leave the firm. This reduction does not include lawyers who were asked to leave this year through our performance review process.

Those affected by this decision are good lawyers who have made valuable contributions to the firm. We intend to give them access to outplacement services and other benefits and a substantial period of time to find another job.

Mayer Brown spokesman Bob Harris wouldn’t cough up any more information — on which offices or practice areas were affected. Above the Law broke the news first.