McDermott Will & Emery Lay of 60 Attorneys, 89 Staff

National News

McDermott Will & Emery LLP has laid off 60 attorneys and 89 staff members, becoming the latest Chicago law firm to retrench amid a sharp decline in business.

In an internal memo sent to employees Tuesday, Chairman Harvey Freishtat said the firm performed well last year and remains strong as it moves into 2009.

"However, we are not immune to the continued deterioration in market conditions," Freishtat said. "The business of our clients has slowed, and this has affected our own levels of activity, particularly in the transactional area."

The cut represents about 5 percent of the firm's 1,100 lawyers in 15 offices. It was not known how many lawyers received pink slips in the Chicago office. The firm declined to comment beyond the memo.

The blog "Above the Law" first reported McDermott's layoffs.

Related listings

  • SEC Charges Merrill Lynch with Securities Violations

    SEC Charges Merrill Lynch with Securities Violations

    National News 02/02/2009

    The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. and two of its former investment adviser representatives with securities laws violations for misleading pension consulting clients about its money ma...

  • Wyeth Shareholders Reluctant to Pfizer Sale

    Wyeth Shareholders Reluctant to Pfizer Sale

    National News 01/28/2009

    Wyeth shareholders say the company is selling itself too cheaply to Pfizer - for $68 billion, or $33 for each Wyeth share, plus 0.985 of a Pfizer share. The federal class action claims that in the deal, announced Monday, Pfizer is taking advantage of...

  • Missing Fla. hedge fund manager turns himself in

    Missing Fla. hedge fund manager turns himself in

    National News 01/27/2009

    A Florida hedge fund manager who disappeared this month just as he was due to pay investors $50 million turned himself in to authorities Tuesday to face federal securities and wire fraud charges.Arthur Nadel, accompanied by two attorneys, surrendered...

Experienced Business Law Attorneys - Business Law Attorneys in Chicago, Illinois

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it is clarifying policy guidance (PDF, 71 KB) on the specific work activities its officers should consider when determining whether an individual qualifies for TN nonimmigrant status as an economist.

Companies of all sizes have to deal with a lot of bureaucracy and paperwork just to do business. Long gone are the days of simply designing and manufacturing a great product and putting it out there. It can be incredibly overwhelming trying to do business without making yourself vulnerable to a lawsuit.

If you need to craft an agreement between you and investors or business partners, it is prudent to have it reviewed by a business attorney before you sign anything. You may also want to have your vendor contracts, office leases, sales agreements, and other types of agreements looked over as well. From start-ups to established corporations, the Chicago business attorneys at the Roth Law Group have the know-how to help businesses keep legal trouble at bay.

The attorneys at the Roth Law Group have helped their clients at every stage of the business creation and operation process. From registering as a legally-recognized business entity to hiring employees and then copywriting or trademarking a product idea, the right guidance in the beginning can keep you out of trouble later on.