Heller's Erstwhile White Knight Joins Layoff Trend

Remember Mayer Brown, the big ol’ firm that was going to save Heller Ehrman from its imminent demise with a merger?

Yeah, well, it turns out that they’ve got problems of their own: the Chicago-based firm said today that it laid off 33 lawyers and some support staff in its US offices. The news was first reported by Above The Law.

The firm blamed the down economy in a statement: “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.”

The news comes on the heels of Orrick’s announcement that it would lay off 40 associates and counsel and 35 staff, which came on the heels of layoffs at White & Case.

Looks like law firms won’t be laying off layoffs any time soon. And yes the reality of it all is much sadder than that pun. The firm declined to break down the layoffs by office, but ATL reported that New York and Charlotte were the hardest hit. Calls to partners in Mayer Brown's Palo Alto office went unreturned and one associate wouldn't comment. Tell us what you hear. Were there layoffs here?

— Zusha Elinson