SAN FRANCISCO — Blaming a down economy, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati axed 45 lawyers and 68 staff Monday.

The 660-lawyer firm laid off associates and of counsel accounting for 6.5 percent of its attorney work force. About 9 percent of the firm’s staff, ranging from secretaries to paralegals, was let go. The firm also said it would be freezing associate salaries for the upcoming year.