Large Firms
Aug. 6, 2002
Paul Hastings Lays Off Four S.F. Lawyers
SAN FRANCISCO - Citing the poor economy and a declining stock market, Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker laid off four associates in its San Francisco offices Friday.
"We're reacting to the fallout from the declining stock market, and we've let go four associates," said Kirby Wilcox, the chairman of the 65-lawyer San Francisco office.
He said no other cuts are planned for the office or anywhere else at the 800-lawyer business and litigation firm.
Wilcox and attorney supervisors informed the laid-off associates privately of the news. Wilcox also convened an office meeting to discuss the layoffs with the rest of the office's attorneys and staff. He said he would be available to talk to any of the firm's employees in the next few days.
The associates were given severance packages and will continue to have benefits for the next few months.
Despite the cuts, Wilcox said, the office will soon increase its staff by seven lawyers, including four first-year lawyers and two lateral associates. Five of those lawyers will work in Paul Hastings' employment department. The others will be assigned to litigation.
Offers to the five first-year associates were made "so long ago" that they predated the recent layoffs, Wilcox said. He had been asked about reassigning the laid-off lawyers, who worked in the firm's health care and financial institutions practice groups, but said "there weren't any spots available."
"We considered everything, such as holding on longer, but this was the way we felt it had to go," he said. "Fortunately, it was extremely small and it will stay that way."
Erik Cummins
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