Dickinson Wright, a firm that took the 128th spot on the 2019 Am Law 200, is yet another Biglaw firm that is planning for the financial fallout from COVID-19. Like so many other of its peers, the firm has decided to institute austerity measures to minimize the harm of decreased revenues.
So what is going on at the firm? Tipsters report staff layoffs. The firm has also pulled the plug on its summer associate program (though everyone who was scheduled to participate will receive an offer). And the new batch of associates scheduled to start in the fall? Postponed until January 2021.
According to reports, the firm has issued the following statement about its austerity measures:
“Our leadership has developed a tiered contingency plan for the potential of reduced revenues. This plan entails reducing discretionary spending, implementing an approximately 3% reduction in workforce, canceling our summer program yet providing everyone in that summer class an offer, and deferring our fall incoming class of associates to January.”
If your firm or organization is slashing salaries, closing its doors, or reducing the ranks of its lawyers or staff, whether through open layoffs, stealth layoffs, or voluntary buyouts, please don’t hesitate to let us know. Our vast network of tipsters is part of what makes Above the Law thrive. You can email us or text us (646-820-8477).
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Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, and host of The Jabot podcast. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).