SAN FRANCISCO — It was a grim Wednesday at Townsend and Townsend and Crew, with nine lawyers and 25 staff receiving pink slips in California.

Firm Chairwoman Maureen Sheehy said most had been notified by the early afternoon. Associates took the brunt of the cuts, she said, though more senior attorneys were also affected. Sheehy declined to give details, saying the firm offered severance packages based on seniority and length of service.