We know times are hard at the moment but you’d think even ruthless super-geeks would be willing to lookafter their own. Not so – US law firm K&L Gates, Gates as in Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates’ father, William H. Gates Sr, has been dropped as one of Microsoft’s preferred legal providers.

Microsoft solicited bids in January for its preferred-provider program and notified firms that made the cut last week. Ten were selected, but K&L Gates’ status was not renewed.

Heartless? Not really, Mr Gates Sr. retired from the firm in 1998 and Bill Gates handed over the day to day running of Microsoft to Steve Ballmer last year (although he remains nonexecuive chairman).

A bit of history – K&L Gates came into being in 2007 when Kirkpatrick & Lockhart merged with Preston Gates & Ellis, the oldest law firm in Seattle dating back to 1883. Microsoft was one of Preston Gates’ most important clients and the firm played a major role defending Microsoft during its U.S. antitrust case. Source .