Law Firm Informs First-Years It Will Fire One-Third Of Them… But Won’t Say Which Until Later

// While most firms have come out the other side of the little-recession-that-never-did, some continue to lay off attorneys and staff. We used to think the cruelest layoff was the stealth layoff, where attorneys are told they’re really being fired for “performance” despite no history of negative feedback. It forces the lawyers back into the job market with the scarlet letter of being “fired” when they’re really just a layoff from a company trying to put lipstick on its own financial issues.

But we were wrong… it can get way worse.

googletag.cmd.push( function() { // Display ad. googletag.display( "div-id-for-top-300x250" ); });

Rob Freund highlighted this gem over on the artist formerly known as Twitter:

Sponsored The Future Of Professionals Report: How AI Is The Catalyst For Transforming Every Aspect Of Work 1,200 professionals weigh in on fulfilling the promise of artificial intelligence.  From THOMSON REUTERS AND ABOVE THE LAW  

Was the pre-announcement just so the attorneys could compete for their own jobs? Because that “second prize is a set of steak knives… third prize is you’re fired” nonsense doesn’t work as well in law as it might for sales. What does an associate do over the course of 24 hours to save their job?

googletag.cmd.push( function() { // Display ad. googletag.display( "div-id-for-middle-300x250" ); }); googletag.cmd.push( function() { // Display ad. googletag.display( "div-id-for-storycontent-440x100" ); }); googletag.cmd.push( function() { // Display ad. googletag.display( "div-id-for-in-story-youtube-1x1" ); });

As for advice on how to approach this… consider finding a new job regardless is the answer.

In the meantime… may the odds be ever in your favor or whatever.

Sponsored Sponsored 3 Ways AI Can Help Draft Legal Documents Faster Finish polished legal docs in Word with Lexis® Create. The AI-powered add-on leverages authoritative LexisNexis® content to help legal professionals intelligently draft and populate verifiable… From LexisNexis   Sponsored The Future Of Professionals Report: How AI Is The Catalyst For Transforming Every Aspect Of Work 1,200 professionals weigh in on fulfilling the promise of artificial intelligence.  From THOMSON REUTERS AND ABOVE THE LAW   Sponsored Is Your In-House Team A Legal Tech Leader? Please take a minute to share your thoughts and help us benchmark your department. From Above The Law   Sponsored 3 Ways AI Can Help Draft Legal Documents Faster Finish polished legal docs in Word with Lexis® Create. The AI-powered add-on leverages authoritative LexisNexis® content to help legal professionals intelligently draft and populate verifiable… From LexisNexis  

Joe Patrice is a senior editor at Above the Law and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. Feel free to email any tips, questions, or comments. Follow him on Twitter if you’re interested in law, politics, and a healthy dose of college sports news. Joe also serves as a Managing Director at RPN Executive Search.

googletag.cmd.push( function() { // Display ad. googletag.display( "div-id-for-bottom-300x250" ); }); Sponsored Sponsored Ontra’s Insight, Powered By GPT-4, Simplifies Fund Management From Ethan Beberness   Sponsored Differentiating Your Solo Firm In A Crowded Marketplace Looking to grow your solo practice, explore new marketing channels, or find the most effective marketing techniques? This guide is for you. From THOMSON REUTERS AND ABOVE THE LAW   Enter your email address to sign up for ATL's Layoff Alerts. hbspt.forms.create({ css: '', portalId: '470182', formId: 'a36cdf6b-a5b0-4a87-9125-aaf8c7d90fd6' }); Topics

Layoffs, Small Law Firms