Information Technology Law Firm

I am very thankful that Alerding Castor has not felt the economic constraints that have affected so many other business law firms.  Within the last nine months or so, four of the largest five firms in Indianapolis have either downsized, been acquired, or both – all due to financial difficulties. 

It is not just in Indianapolis.  The current economic climate has affected large firms with bloated budgets all over the nation.  In January and February, the ABA Journal recorded over 3,500 attorney layoffs nationwide.  One firm, McDermott Will & Emery, a massive 1,100 attorney firm based in Chicago, laid off over 60 attorneys and nearly 90 staff in February. 

Law firms are some of the worst run businesses around.  What makes it worse is that many attorney have no training or experience in running a business or creating a positive business culture.  Our industry takes academics with political science backgrounds and hands them multimillion dollar businesses to run in executive roles.  The following is an article from the ABA Journal’s site this past week regarding McDermott's layoff:

Following layoffs announced at McDermott Will & Emery early this month, those in charge of its Chicago headquarters office decided to reduce the scope of its coffee service there in another effort to cut costs.

But the economy move isn't going to be good for morale, a partner suggests in an e-mailed response to an internal message about the coffee cutback sent today by the head of the Chicago office. Unfortunately, this partner apparently accidentally hit the "reply all" button, and multiple copies were soon forwarded by McDermott insiders to Above the Law, the blog reports.

In his e-mail, the partner describes the coffee cutback as a mistake, saying that it will make only a small difference financially while sending a "message of desperation."

As a tangential point here – ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS LINES BEFORE HITING “SEND”.  That is E-mail 101. 

That aside, and back to the point, you just laid off 150 people (including over 5% of your attorneys), and you are concerned that news of cutting the coffee budget will send a “message of desperation” to your associates and staff!  Umm, just thinking here, but maybe, possibly, firing 150 workers is a bigger sign of financial desperation than cutting your coffee budget. 

Alerding Castor is a business law firm / technology law firm / litigation and probate litigation firm.  Our success is based 100% on our great clients - who have also found success despite the current economic climate.  It is our honor to partner in success with our clients.