Layoffs hit two Midwestern firms in the Am Law 200 this week, with Katten Muchin Rosenman announcing cuts of fewer than 5% of attorneys and staff amid a slump in demand and Armstrong Teasdale dismissing 24 staffers due to a desire to streamline operations. The latter firm also cut 11 lawyers following performance reviews.
The cuts followed June layoffs at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe and Reed Smith, which impacted a total of 90 attorneys and staff at Orrick and 50 total employees at Reed Smith. Law firms that service Silicon Valley saw more turmoil earlier in this year as Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian let go of 10% of U.S. attorneys and staff in April.
