Has anyone heard of any economic related layoffs in large law firms in CA? I have heard of layoffs in NY and other east coast and southeast markets, but none in CA. For example, Paul Hastings, Allen Matkins, Sheppard Mullin and Bingham, the top real estate firms in CA, all seem to be handling the real estate slow-down pretty well.

Paul Hastings and Sheppard and Bingham laid off associates (In Litigation and for PH Labor and Employment. They were given time to find a new job and severance except at Bingham which had a person leave the same day they were fired.

Nothing in real estate though? Litigation layoffs strikes me as odd since litigation seems to be humming right now. L&E makes a little more sense as businesses are cutting costs (litigation costs are tougher to trim).

I think firms are using the market as a way of getting rid of associates who are not making hours or who d not fit. Sheppard is actually very slow in Litigation right now as is Bingham's downtown office.

Do you know of any biglaw firm in LA that is currently hiring law clerks, 3Ls or lateral junior associates into litigation departments?

I don't, but being in your same boat but with different career interests, do you know of any biglaw firm in LA that is currently hiring law clerks, 3Ls or lateral junior associates into transactional departments?

One litigation associate just left MoFo for Quinn last month. Allen Matkins just hired several associates in LA and OC (lit, labor, land use, bankruptcy). I hear Latham just hired a few land use and litigation associates. Hire a headhunter; there is no incentive not too.