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Going to Heller in a Handbasket? (Part 3)

Monday, October 29, 2007 3:54 PM - By David Lat

Heller Ehrman LLP Above the Law blog.JPGAnother day, another report of problems for Heller Ehrman. As usual, the bad news comes not from ATL, but from an MSM source — so don’t accuse us of making this stuff up. We’re just piggybacking on our friends in the print media.

From the Legal Times:

Like a California Beemer spinning its wheels in Potomac River swampland, San Francisco-based Heller Ehrman just can’t seem to gain traction in Washington.

Last year, the firm’s D.C. head count grew by only one attorney. This year, the office is down eight, from 57 attorneys to 49, a 14 percent decline….

[T]here are also signs of trouble firm-wide. Earlier this month the firm suffered two major losses. Partner Patricia Gillette, who helped anchor Heller’s San Francisco office, jumped to Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. Gillette, who was a co-chairwoman of the labor and employment practice, brought another partner and four associates with her. Jerry Marks, Heller’s former Los Angeles managing partner, has signed on at Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy. In September, the firm also laid off 65 support staff members.

Though the 700-lawyer Heller is still considered a solid firm, its recent losses and its moribund Washington numbers have some observers wondering what is ailing the California power.

Is the Legal Times making a mountain out of a molehill? Or is Heller’s D.C. office — located just down the street from us, with a gigantic silver sign over the door — really in trouble?

Firm Has D.C. Discontent [Legal Times (subscription)]

Earlier: Prior ATL coverage of Heller Ehrman (scroll down)

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Posted in: Biglaw, Heller Ehrman, Job Searches, Layoffs, Musical Chairs

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