Latham & Watkins is laying off 190 associates, or approximately 12 percent of the firm’s associate base. The firm also announced cuts of 250 nonlegal staff, including paralegals. The layoffs are the most dramatic cuts announced so far by an Am Law 100 firm.
After mounting speculation, firm Chairman Robert Dell on Friday morning confirmed that the firm had little choice given the current economic climate. “It’s with profound regret that we’re taking this action,” he says, adding that the depth of this recession was unprecedented. “The health of the global economy is likely to remain poor this year and so staffing levels have to be better aligned with client needs.”
