Perkins Coie last week deferred its incoming corporate associates to January 2024. And although there’s no doubt, the firm is deeply entrenched in the tech industry, there have been other signs of disturbance at Perkins in recent months, from staff layoffs to several group partner departures.

Recruiters described a recent string of partner departures from Perkins as unusual, attributing the departures to something of a squeeze, or competitive forces from both larger law firms and boutiques.