Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison, wracked by a year of partner defections and continued decline in corporate work, is attempting to take the offensive to keep remaining partners on board and to remain an attractive candidate for a merger.

Partners have launched an initiative to keep their colleagues from immediately jumping ship, asking them to stick with the firm beyond the end of 2002. And they are said to be considering steps that would make it financially painful for partners to quit.