SAN FRANCISCO — While so many firms are making the news for layoffs, a number of plaintiff firms with securities class action practices are hiring associates.

Thanks to an influx of large financial and securities fraud cases, 60-lawyer Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann has added eight associates firmwide since mid-2008, San Diego partner Blair Nicholas said. In that time, the firm also hired four counsel. His firm also is among those that report seeing more defense-side resumes lately.