Jerks

Quite clearly a bottom-tier firm to layoff PE associates and attribute it to poor performance? Good luck to them hiring at top-tier schools!

OMM should be ashamed of itself. Just coincidence that -- though they conduct reviews every year -- the number of perfomance issues happened to spike during a recession? If this is ture, what a bunch of dishonest partners. This will hurt them in summer and lateral recruiting for some time to come. Running a tight, fiscally responsible ship is one thing. Scapegoating associates by papering their files and giving them the boot is another. Totally shameless.

you can't stop the lat, you can only hope to contain him!!!!

who the hell was this O'Sullivan outfit and why did OMM get into bed with these jackyls?

Can we get an open thread on law firm websites? S&C's new site is awful, combining a horrific look with poor usability. I think we need a compare/contrast/vote.

hiss hiss! OMM = bad. hiss hiss!

O'Sullivan Graev & Karabell (sp?). Well-regarded smaller firm. Lots of firms were wooing them.

what's the deal with the counsel title at OMM? it seems that associates who make it to 5th year are all counsel. is that true? is counsel a lesser status at OMM than most firms?

Lat, you are right on. Everyone says that the O'Sullivan folks are soulless and taking control in the worst way... heard the "performance appraisal process" was laced with nonsensical conclusions, backstabbing, things taken wildly out of context and just plain BS... people were simply canned, left and right, period.

I'd be jumping ship if I was an associate, but what about the other OMM partners who are being dragged down by these NY buffoons...with partners those like, who needs enemies....

Gallion OUT!!!

This was what got the DOJ in trouble for firing the US Attorneys: claiming, falsely, that the decisions were for performance-based reasons when they were obviously for other reasons.

It's one thing for a firm to layoff people in a downtime, it is quite another for a firm to claim the layoffs were for performance based reasons, when, obviously the primary reasons for the layoffs are the downturn in that practice group.

It is shameful, malicious, and unbecoming of O'Melveny to harm the career prospects of their former associates so as to cover their own ass on recruiting.

3:40 - it is 6 or 7th year depending on circumstances, and not everyone gets it.

trying to play with the big boys, OMM? go home and play in the sandbox with your TT firm friends.

Sixth year = counsel if you're otherwise doing okay, not required to set the world on fire (and not the building either). And the firm issued a press release: PPP = $1.635M for FY ended 1/31/08.

"Every year we re-evaluate our associates and counsel to see how they're performing," Okun says. "Every year some fall below our expectations and therefore some are asked to leave. This year is no different from other years.""

Given the above statement, anyone who joins OMM is an idiot.

Weil let people go as well.

OMM is kicking its laid off associates while they are down. Obviously, anyone who gets an OMM NY resume will think that they were laid off.

what is going on at Weil???

Let me get this straight: you're reiterating the same story that you've already reported at least twice, with a throwaway mention that OMM denied the absolutely absurd "witch hunt" rumor, and all for the purpose of what, exactly? Beating up on OMM because their leadership won't talk to you? Don't you have any other firm to talk about? Doesn't GDC deserve at least a blurb for its horrible bonuses? Don't the many other biglaw firms that are also navigating this economy have anything newsworthy to report? Moreover, if these tipsters are so juicy, just tell us exactly what they're saying instead of teasing it out forever - if you're going to issue a "detailed report," just do it already. For the record, no, I'm not an OMM partner, nor am I counsel. I'm just a junior associate who is annoyed by the incessant bashing.

couldn't agree more with 3:46 - this Okun guy sounds truly horrible. wouldn't you love to work for that yutz?

actually he sounds worse than the cadwalader tool, and that's saying something.

O'Sullivan came in and somehow got control of the NY office, forced historic OMM partners to retire early or cold shouldered them out. What is left is these O'Sullivan wannabe frat boys who are running the place into the ground. And the chairman of the firm is never going to do anything about it, b/c the merger was his baby. Here is a thought ... perhaps it's not a good idea to alienate people who may one day work at the companies you want as clients.

Hey 3:51 - you chose poorly. your bosses are fools.

3:51, there has been GDC coverage (maybe yesterday or the day before).

But OMM is more fun to cover because they lose their s**t each time.

OMM is covered at least in part because they flip out at being covered.

That and their behavior is extreme even by BigLaw standards.

OMM is covered at least in part because they flip out at being covered.

That and their behavior is extreme even by BigLaw standards.

sinking ship!

LATHAM IS KING

why doesnt OMM just hire a PR firm and just take care of this crap once and for all?

its time for them to start initiating some damage control.

why doesnt OMM just hire a PR firm and just take care of this crap once and for all?

its time for them to start initiating some damage control.

This is ridiculous.

1) Associates don't have access to hiring and firing information, and those that were let go will likely interpret malfeasance on the part of the law firm.

2) The partnership is uncomfortable with blog media generally, and they aren't sure how to respond. They're a little old school. Their silence isn't consent, it's confusion.

3) The "witch hunt" would be trivial as a technical matter. No need for protracted searches.

Everyone loves a disaster narrative, but this isn't one. People are generally occupied and happy at OMM.

4:37: Brad Okun, is that you?

On the one hand, it is nice to be able to use the firm resources until March 15th and look for a job without getting shipped out (if that is the case - is that the case?). On the other hand, the firm is completely throwing people under the bus by fabricating performance standards in a down economy and not "manning" up a la CWT. The constant denial and butchering of OMM's once decent reputation is inexcusable, however. Take note, 1Ls.

4:37, good to hear it straight from an OMM partner. Thanks!

"The "witch hunt" would be trivial as a technical matter. No need for protracted searches."

Maybe if was sent via email.

As an associate at OMM who is DESPERATELY seeking other jobs (I'm at home on a Thursday afternoon, guess why), I cannot emphasize what a hellhole OMM NY has become...

OMM is the Fordham of law firms.

i love how lat always will spin things against firms if they rebuke his inquiries and for firms if they talk to him...nice...

Did any of the laid off associates attend top 10 schools?

How f*cking dare anyone out there make fun of OMM after all it has been through.!

It lost its aunt, it went through a bad merger. It had two f*ckin kids.

The firm it acquired turned out to be a user, a cheater, and now OMM's going through a custody battle. All you people care about is getting more readers and making money off of her.

IT'S A FIRM! What you don’t realize is that OMM is making you all this money and all you do is write a bunch of crap about it.

It hasn’t performed on stage in years. Its song is called “give me more” for a reason because all you people want is MORE! MORE-MORE, MORE: MORE!.

LEAVE OMM ALONE! You are lucky it even performed for you BASTARDS!
LEAVE OMM ALONE!…..Please.

Perez Hilton talked about professionalism and said if OMM was a professional it would’ve pulled it off no matter what.

Speaking of professionalism, when is it professional to publicly bash someone who is going through a hard time.

Leave OMM Alone Please…. !
Leave OMM alone!…right now!….I mean it.!

Anyone that has a problem with OMM you deal with me, because it is not well right now.

LEAVE OMM ALONE!

Yawn...enough about OMM, give us some goods on other firms.

Seriously Lat, how many times can you post the SAME story?

Lat:

Ask your attorney why this isn't the best way to phrase this:

We previously reported on rumors of associate layoffs at O'Melveny & Myers. We've conducted some further investigation, and it's pretty clear to us that OMM is doing more than just performance-based pruning.

We'll issue a more detailed report sometime soon, perhaps early next week.

I wouldn't want to work a firm where they can't correctly spell bologna.

"Lat:

Ask your attorney why this isn't the best way to phrase this"

OOOH! Veiled threats! This is getting juicy . . .

hello, server? can you hear me?

Laughing out loud at 5:11's comment.

I have to agree with 3:51. I think this whole OMM mess is a product of Lat. News has been slow lately, so he's building this trivial rumor up to something it is not. Then when OMM ignores him and talks about him behind his back, he gets upset and makes sure OMM pays for it. At least that is what it looks like.

Why do many of the commenters on this blog seem to think that being an associate is like having tenure?

3:51 and 5:24 - don't be such naive douche bags. I am an associate who is bearing the brunt of OMM's fall from grace. Last week I billed a grand total of 19 hours. This week I am on a self-imposed vacation - it is better to take paid time off rather than bill 2-3 hours/day. And believe me, work just isn't there - I've knocked on the doors of 10 different partners and have come up with nada...

I don't fault OMM for the fact that work has run out - times are obviously not good and it is clearly suffering. I however do fault OMM for the way it has handled all of this. Staunchly denying that anything is amiss has really lowered the firm in my estimation. The fact of the matter is that OMM NY needs to let associates go - I would guess at least 20% of the corporate associates need to go. I, like other smart associates, have already started looking for jobs.

In conclusion 3:51 and 5:24 - stop being a'holes who think they know shit but don't know jack.

4:51 - stop being a complete idiot. Your logic makes it clear that you are the product of a TTT law school who has made it to a law firm simply because a minority presence might have been required. Stop being a dumbfuck, or at least try to stop being one...

Fordham really sucks. I don't know why anyone would ever consider going there, unless Rutgers was the only other option. Better not to be a lawyer than have to go to a TTT like Fordham. Sorry, I know the truth hurts.

OMM has the best associate retention program in NY. The non-laid off associates at OMM can't jump ship because everyone will assume that they have been given a couple of months to find work and were laid off for poor performance. Very crafty OMM.

Everyone seems to be doing.

Here at Mayer Brown loads of people have been given poor performance reviews and told to leave by the quietest exit. Loads of support staff have been made redundant and have left already. With all the partner departures and credit crunch they can't support the number of lawyers they have. OMM isn't anything special.

4:54 -- bravo!

Hey LAT, why not stop picking on OMM and write a story about Mayer? Why kick us when we're down?

"Everyone seems to be doing.

Here at Mayer Brown loads of people have been given poor performance reviews and told to leave by the quietest exit. Loads of support staff have been made redundant and have left already. With all the partner departures and credit crunch they can't support the number of lawyers they have. OMM isn't anything special.

Posted by: Everyone is doing it | February 7, 2008 06:11 PM"

Here's some news (4:17 & 4:58):

Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft made a spectacular raid on the New York office of Latham & Watkins yesterday (6 February), snaring the latter's global head of private equity, Ronald Hopkinson.

http://www.thelawyer.com/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=131091&d=415&h=417&f=416

As one of the terminated NY OMM associates, I can verify that there were layoffs. The performance evaluations were false. I never received a negative review, and then all of a sudden, "you suck and you are terminated!"

Thanks for everything!

As one of the terminated NY OMM associates, I can verify that there were layoffs. The performance evaluations were made up. I never received a negative review, and then all of a sudden, "you suck and you are terminated!"

Thanks for everything!

What's going on at Weil??? Stealth layoffs?

Milbank is doing the same thing...

OMM, Weil, GDC, and Milbank are all laying off associates. Each is a TTT firm.

Meanwhile, MCDERMOTT, WILL & EMERY raised first year salaries in NYC, DC, Boston, and Chicago by 10k. Way to go, McDermott.

F-OMM
F-WEIL
F-GDC
F-MILBANK

$$$ MCDERMOTT IS UP TO 170k $$$

Thats so screwed up. I don't know why MWE selectively raised salaries 10k in 4 offices and only 5k in the others

I'm at OMM and have not commented so far but I can tell you that partners went out of their way (as reported on almost all the other threads) to give bad performance reviews. The most famous one is of a third-year who was on document review all year and told she was not advancing with her class because she had not done any writing. Other associates had negative things from THE YEAR BEFORE on their review and several who disputed that work product on their review was actually theirs.

Furthermore, there was a definite trend of positive contributions being played down.

Even if OMM was laying off because of poor performance, they skewed the reviews so that there were many more bad reviews than in most years.

In fact, in most years they go out of their way to collect positive data. This year it was the exact opposite.

I hope the bad press continues.

The partners are in total denial and think that the associates (and world) are listening to their party line.

We're not.

Even associates with good reviews are looking around because we know it's coming our way sooner or later.

I'm sorry but have you looked at Vault rankings lately? Or opened the Wall Street Journal? There's no way that GDC, OMM and Weil are nothing but first tier firms. First tier is about a number of factors which include quality of work, client base and quality of partners and associates among other things. You're lame.

And as a "good associate" I'm looking around. I've told recruiters I'm not part of the laid off associates but no one wants to be there anymore. One recruiter said that recruiters know that the "good" associates are leaving as well.

MWE did what now? Says who?

8:37.

"There's no way that GDC, OMM and Weil are nothing but first tier firms."

You have bad grammar. You probably went to a TTT school, work at a TTT firm, married a TTT woman, drive a TTT car, and make TTT salary.

If McDermott now provides the highest base compensation in Boston and Chicago--and near the top in DC/Chicago--and if you are working at , and if you are not working at GDC, OMM or Weil, then you are lame.

P.s. I billed right under 1,650 hours last year and my firm gave me a bonus/special bonus! I love "getting lost" at a big firm--NYC firms rock!

THE McDERMOTT STORY (per ATL posts/rumors)

-Some firms are laying off.
-Other firms are paying no/low bonuses.
-McDermott originally gave no/low bonuses.
-McDermott later raised bonus across the board.
-McDermott now apparently raised base salary in 4 offices by 10k, and in all other U.S. offices by 5k.

Does anyone know if McDermott is hiring? It seems as though this firm is looking to attract attention and has found a way to strive in a sinking market!

There were no such raises at MWE. MWE has never been a market leader and doubtfully wants to start now. So 8:09 should let us know why he/she thinks this is somehow true.

As to 9:05's comment about raising bonuses across the board, this is inaccurate too. Some people got more, while others did not.

If you want a job at MWE, look at the career postings. But don't come for the money.

No way OMM is first tier. Maybe in LA (as if it matters).

9:23.

aRE YOU saying that mCdermoTt didn't really raise salaries in all of its offices across the board, that the firm diddn;t raise bonuses across the board, or both?

I have read several times over here on ATL that the firm raised salAries (to above markte) and that it raised bonuses too.

Are u a mcDermott attorney or a disgruntled former OMM associate? Perhaps ytour'e a ninja or a pirate.

9:43 No such raises occurred.

You can read all you want on this board, but you are selectively picking the posts on which you base your understanding. I am not.

MCDERMOTT ASSOCIATES:

Can anyone from within the firm confirm when the salary increases were implemented? Also, please confirm if McDermott raised 1st year salaries in its Chicago office.

I summered at McDermott last summer (Chicago), am returning this fall, and really am interested in real info. I have not heard anything from the firm about the salary increase and am particularly interested if incoming associates in fall 2008 will benefit.

Thanx for sharing scoop.

HOW MUCH LOUDER DO I NEED TO SAY THIS? THERE WERE NO RAISES.

Hey 4:17:

Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft made a spectacular raid on the New York office of Latham & Watkins yesterday (6 February), snaring the latter's global head of private equity, Ronald Hopkinson.

http://www.thelawyer.com/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=131091&d=415&h=417&f=416

They are also advising Microsoft on antitrust issues. That article is somewhere on thelawyer.com site too. Lat, post about some good news on your fav. firms.

Its true, MWE raised by 10: their seamless limit is finally up to 35.

9:53pm:

You are a pirate transformer.
You are not a real McDermott lawyer.
Real McDermott lawyers wear Underarmor.
You are pretending to have knowledge.
I am not a pirate like you.
I kill pirates.
I am a ninja.
I make more money than you-- 1 billion dollars.

P.s.-- I thought this was a post about OMM being a TTT firm, not about McDermott's salary.

You all are idiots. Were any of you at the Chairman's meetings yesterday? The information posted here is inaccurate.

If O'Melveny's going to be a complete toilet and lay people off, it needs to be open about it. When it tries to push it's employees out by making them miserable, or pretending that they've done a bad job, it just makes itself a shady toilet. Better to be a shitter than a shady shitter.

* 9:56 does not know about the raises because 9:56 did not get a raise.

* 9:56 did not get a raise because 9:56 has a negative attitude.

* If 9:56 thinks positively, maybe 9:56 would get the 10k raise too (or 5k if he/she works in Miami, LA, or another TTT office)

* 9:56: I hate to break the bad news, but a memo went out today to all associates who got raises instructing that they not mention a thing to 9:56. Sorry pal.

10:01, are you talking about bonus for last year? You do know that those were not across the board, right? Are you saying that your base increased by another 10 for 2008 in addition to the lock-step increase that people get each year? To make sure we are talking about the same thing, what is you class and current base compensation?

You all are idiots. Were any of you at the Chairman's meetings yesterday? The information posted here is inaccurate.

Posted by: MWE | February 7, 2008 10:07 PM
--------------------------------

YES, i WAS THERE. THAT IS WHERE I FIRST HEARD ABOUT THE 10K RAISE FOR BOSTON/NYC/DC/CHICAGO. I AM IN LOS ANGELES AND AM KINDA MAD THAT THESE OFFICES GOT RAISES OF 10K AND THAT CALI ONLY GOT 5K INCREASES.

I'M LEAVING McDERMOTT FOR A FIRM THAT REALIZES 1ST YEARS ARE WORTH MORE THAN $165,000... I'M GOING TO OMELVENY MEYERS.

10:10 - do you not get jokes or do you really not know what seamless web is?

10:09, yep that is correct. That is because I am not paid that way. Get it. I am trying to help get accurate info out and your response does not help.

Moron.

OMM CAN SUCK MY BIG FAT C$CK.

10:15, this is news to me because we did not get that information in our meeting. Yesterday's meetings were for east coast offices, not LA so you could not have been at the meeting.

*** Alert ***

10:16 is plainly an "income partner" (aka senior associate / "staff attorney.")!

I'm a moron for not getting a simple joke? Sounds like something a moron would say, moron!

wrong again

The post is wrong; there were no lay-offs in private equity. All of the OMM lay-offs were in litigation, but many people in corporate were screwed on bonus.

Lat takes himself too seriously, trying to give advice to firms as to "how to deal with him." And trying to punish firms that don't talk to him. Give it up Lat, your plan has backfired and you have ended up looking like a fool. Or as many of these posters like to say a TTT blog.

10:29.

Don't be mad simply because you were given the boot from OMM's lit group. Apply to MWE's lit group and you will make buckets-o-cash. Unless, of course, you the angry "MWE" poster who is insisting that the firm didn't raise base salary.

NEW MWE SCALE (NY/DC/Bos/Chi):
1st years-- $170k (was 160k)
2d years-- $180k (was 170k)
3d years-- $195k (was 185k)
...and so on, and so on, and so on!

McDERMOTT Pays !

I'm not aware of any layoffs at GDC DC, but I'm told that the New York office is slow...

10:36, good luck with that.

Have any other firms followed McDermott's lead? I wonder if McDermott's move will finally prompt NYC's usual market leaders (Cravath, Skaddan, DPW, etc.) to push up to $190k.

LAT: Hows 'bout a post on which firms---aside from MWE---have raised base comp?

10:39: You should come to MWE.

Lat, how about confirming that MWE raised.

Yeah, great idea. Come to MWE. Send me your resume and I will forward it on so I can collect the finder's fee. Better yet, use lateral link

MWE stands for Money Well Earned

MWE to 170 people.

10:43, 10:36, et al.

I work at McDermott. I have for almost four years now. I am a real associate.

I did not get a 5k raise. I did not get a 10k raise. People talk at McDermott, and this is the first I've heard of a "salary increase."

I don't buy it. You shouldn't either.

MWE stands for Morons Writing Errors on this board.

10:49. Thank you so much for speaking up.

10:49-- you are evil

YOUR NEGATIVE ATTITUDE IS WHY YOU DIDN'T GET A RAISE.

I GOT an $11,000 RAISE: 10k normal increase / 1k "special increase" (because of my good attitude).

What are the bonus as McDermott, Kill Anderson, Katen and Howrey like?

MWE IP is hiring

All,

MWE did raise salaries, though i can't confirm that everyone got a raise. There was not a firm-wide memo. The firm followed its usual practice of sending associates individual memos. As for the individual memo, it came from Mgt. Committee and is avail on the online d-base. This is old news, though.

Other firms might be doing bad, but MWE is doing fine.

10:54, you deserve every penny and I am sure you will go far.

10:33 - STOP BEING A JERK-0FF, MUTHAFUCKA....

11:00-- I think you are referring to firm-wide normal salary increase memo, right (normal class yr. raises that every firm gives.)

11, don't forget the flowers from Harvey and Don that alerted everyone that got those memos to check Notes.

11:03, don't waste your time. There are a bunch of nitwits on the board tonight so it is impossible to discuss anything seriously. It is just a bunch of mis-info, Joseph Heller could not have written it better.

11:03--

No. I am referring to the memo that alerted me that I got an extra $10,000 this year. Did you not get one?

Harvey and Don didn't send me flowers (or any other associate), Harvey and Goldman both have bad pollen allergies. You obviously are a fake MWE associate--everyone at the firm knows that Harvey and Don take Claritin for their allergies and would never send flowers in the office. They did, however, send me and my wife Superbowl tix. GREAT GAME, Go Giants!

MWE

11:01 - Stop being so persuasive, you completely rebutted my comment.

11:12, And I bet you sat right next to Harvey while he had your wife.

11:12, on second thought, maybe you had Harvey after mistaking him for you wife.

I wonder if MWE assigned some douche first year to post on this board to better its image.

What are the bonus as McDermott, Kill Anderson, Katen and Howrey like?

Why are all these MWE types reading the OMM posts?

I am totally humored by the ignorance on this site. At what point did you all decide that you were entitled to so much? At what point did you conclude that a law firm is not a business? Guess what, when the economy slows, when the legal work slows, when there are less billable hours within a law firm, people lose their jobs. Is it the best people who are let go? Is it the middle of the road people who are let go? Of course not, it is the bottom performers. Would they keep their jobs in a better economy, if the company was busier, if hours were plentiful? Of course. What is the phrase . . . any warm body? So are those layoffs or performanced based? Who cares . . . it is reality. Is it only OMM? Don't kid yourself.

What I have learned on this post:

1. McDermott raised salaries.
2. McDermott did not raise salaries.
3. OMM sucks.
4. McDermott sucks.
5. McDermott does not suck.
6. GDC/Weil/OMM are all laying off.
7. All associates at GDC/Weil/OMM can get jobs at McDermott for 10k more.
8. No associate from GDC/Weil/OMM can get a job at McDermott for 10k more.
9. Fellows named Harvey & Don gave out flowers.
10. Harvey and Don are allergic to flowers.
11. "Income Partners" are the same as "staff attorneys"
12. Someone who posts is a "ninja"
13. Someone who posts is a "pirate"
14. People in McDermott's LA office are pissed that they only got a 5k bump.
15. No one in McDermott's LA office received a 5k bump.
16. Joseph Heller is an avid blogger.
17. OMM is a "TTT Firm".
18. OMM is only good in LA.
19. OMM is really not bad.
20. All NYC-based firms must now exceed McDermott. "NYC to 190k"

THANKS FOR THE CLARIFICATION

11:21, why do you want to know? Past performance is no indication of future performance.

What I have learned on this post:

1. McDermott raised salaries.
2. McDermott did not raise salaries.
3. OMM sucks.
4. McDermott sucks.
5. McDermott does not suck.
6. GDC/Weil/OMM are all laying off.
7. All associates at GDC/Weil/OMM can get jobs at McDermott for 10k more.
8. No associate from GDC/Weil/OMM can get a job at McDermott for 10k more.
9. Fellows named Harvey & Don gave out flowers.
10. Harvey and Don are allergic to flowers.
11. "Income Partners" are the same as "staff attorneys"
12. Someone who posts is a "ninja"
13. Someone who posts is a "pirate"
14. People in McDermott's LA office are pissed that they only got a 5k bump.
15. No one in McDermott's LA office received a 5k bump.
16. Joseph Heller is an avid blogger.
17. OMM is a "TTT Firm".
18. OMM is only good in LA.
19. OMM is really not bad.
20. All NYC-based firms must now exceed McDermott. "NYC to 190k"

THANKS FOR THE CLARIFICATION

wHO cares about Kill Anderson? I'm in need of someone at MWE to pass my resume along to the hiring partner. I got fired last week from OMM, and want a better paying job at MWE.

I went to Loyola Law School and am considered an expert in mortgage-backed securities. Is MWE hiring, and will I get a big signing bonus (on top of my "better than market" pay?

Thank you for your help.

If you are interested

11:32, Yes we are very interested. Please send your materials to David Rogers, head of hiring for the firm.

11:32, And don't forget to mention that you are an avid ATL poster and got the idea of applying from me.

Dear 11:34:

Thank you for you fast response to my job inquiry at MWE. If you put in a "good word" for me, will David Rogers send me flowers, or is he allergic too?

Thank you,
First Year TTT Law Grad, No Journal, Booted from OMM, Looking for at least $170,000

MWE prides itself on being responsive and we are always looking for new talent. You clearly would fit right in.

HEY LAT-
IF YOU REALLY WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL COMFORTABLE POSTING ON YOUR SITE (ESPECIALLY FROM OMM APPARENTLY), WHY DON'T YOU BEEF UP YOUR WEBSITE'S SECURITY????
OR IS IT THAT YOU REALLY WANT SOMEONE TO GET FIRED SO THAT THEY SPILL MORE TO YOU... THAT WOULD BE VERY SELFISH NOW WOULDN'T IT... C'MON LAT, PAY UP AND SECURE YOUR SITE!!!!

Dear 11:38.

Thank you for your interest in MWE. I appreciate your desire to better your lot and take seriously the many recommendations that I received from your fellow ATL posters. Unfortunately, I am committed to hiring nothing but the top 10 from the top 10 because that is the only way to hit a PPP that starts with a 2. Consequently, I am unable to offer you a position at MWE. Perhaps you should try CWT.

Sincerely, David.

4:54 : that was great

I am a first year. I just got hired by David and Harvey of McDermott's D.C. office. They sent me flowers. Too bad they only offered to pay me $159,900 (instead of normal D.C. pay of $160,000). Upside is I just saved a ton of money by switching my auto insurance to GEICO.

Can a brother get a job at OMM or CWT or any of the TTTs??

6:00 taked your meds douchebag

Milbank is firing people left and right and nobody notices? Lat, are they paying you off?

>Can we get an open thread on law firm >websites? S&C's new site is awful, >combining a horrific look with poor >usability.

Holy hopping snot, you're right. I haven't looked at S&C's Web site for some time. The new site is painfully bad.

The reason Lat hasn't posted about any of the other firms letting people go is because he clearly has a hard-on for O'Melveny. His infatuation with the firm seems to have risen to the level of obsession, and I'm starting to think there's some sort of personal vendetta involved. The fact that you claim to be "issuing a report" soon on the details of what's going on at O'Melveny -- based on tipsters who, I'm just guessing here, billed less than 1600 hours and got a 1 on their performance reviews--shows not only a lack of integrity but pure disregard for what type of place O'Melveny is and always has been. The majority of people who work here don't even recognize the firm you've made OMM out to be on this website. Yes, they let people go -- and unfortunately, that included one ot two who were very well liked. The firm is honest with associates who aren't going to make counsel and counsel who aren't going to make partner. And it holds everyone at the firm to a high standard -- even people who went to, dare I say it, Harvard (and yes, those who were let go attended schools from Harvard to Cardozo.) At O'Melveny, you can't sit around and claim to be a good lawyer based on your lsat score--just not how it works here. And the majority of the associates appreciate that -- and are even glad to see the fat get cut every year, because it means we don't have to clean up after anyone on our cases. So, Lat, here's hoping that someday, another firm pisses you off by not responding to your US Weekly--wait, that's giving you too much credit--Enquirer-like website, and you can spend your day dragging their name through the mud. OR, better yet, why don't you use your law degree for something productive? It seems like you have to realize the hours you're spending holed up in your apartment posting gossip is not only shameful, but a real waste of your education and experience. It seems like even working at Wachtell would make you a more productive member of society. Volunteer, do something honorable or even just go to the gym. Enough already.

Hey, O'Melveny just made a bunch of new Counsel, and, get this, is actually looking to hire MORE! (See NYTimes ad first appearing 2/4 for litigation Counsel: funny, though, no job description or specified experience).

Possibilities:

1. Everything is actually GREAT at OMM!

2. Soviet-style disinformation.

3. New Counsel have collected their bonuses and are all jumping ship.

4. WMDs have been found in Iraq.

5. 1:15PM is the new PR firm OMM just hired on the cheap on blogger's advice.

6. 1:15PM is an OMM partner without any business worried about HIS job. (Could be a "her", but "hard on" seems a bit too locker-room).

Consider:

A.B. Culvahouse: Reagan White House

Walter Dellinger: Clinton White House.

Damage control, anyone?

Profits per partner were flat last year at O'Melveny, while Latham and Gibson both increased PPP: http://www.xoxohth.com/thread.php?thread_id=761861&mc=20&forum_id=2

Does OMM hire Fordham grads?

@ 2:14

"3. New Counsel have collected their bonuses and are all jumping ship."

is credited at least as regards in 2 individuals I know of, although other Counsel ar being forced out.

OMM hires lots of people - good people - from Fordham, St. John's, Brooklyn, Cardozo, and the other "local" (albeit they may draw nationally) law schools, although they probably would rather not emphasize it. (Brad Butwin, head of NY litigation, is a Fordham Law grad).

Anyone with any significant experience in the New York legal world, or legal world generally, knows that outstanding people attend a variety of colleges and law schools and for a variety of reasons, including, e.g., cost, aid, or where a spouse happens to have a good job or go to school.

Corporate America Revolt Against Its Lawyers

http://www.portfolio.com/views/blogs/daily-brief/2008/02/07/corporate-america-revolts-against-its-lawyers

More layoffs to come, not only at OMM but at a BIGLAW near you...

Does OMM hire Fordham grads?

Posted by: Anonymous | February 8, 2008 02:56 PM

Yes, but its largest feeder school is Loyola.

The layoff rumors were started by one associate who did not want her family to know that she was one of the few who did bad.

Hey 2/27 7:07. Wrong. The layoff rumors were started by OMM laying off about 15% of its NY litigators, then trying to tell the rest of OMM and the world it was all just "routine" and performance-related. Evaluations were fabricated for CYA reasons. Everyone knows that.

Cadwalader was big enough to fess up to bad economic times, and big shots are being made to take responsibility for bad business decision-making. At OMM, only "little people" pay the price of folly.