There can only be a handful of firms that did not defer trainees to shave costs earlier this year. Although a blow to eager students, it seemed prudent as the world stood on the brink of financial armageddon. Brighter news has filtered through from US firms on this front though as Mayer Brown and Sidley Austin both ask some of their newcomers to start earlier than expected.

US blog Above the Law reported Friday that Sidley D.C. was calling some of its incoming associates and asking them to start early. Yesterday ATL picked up this news on Mayer Brown from Bloomberg :

The firm previously deferred the start dates of its first-year associates scheduled to join this fall. Because of the expanding work, Mayer Brown asked about half of 12 deferred associates who are scheduled to work in New York to start after Labor Day [the first Monday of September]

Despite improving economic data here in the UK we have not heard of any similar moves as yet but will keep you posted if and when.

Sidley D.C. Wants Some Incoming Associates to Start … Early! [Above the Law]

Mayer Brown Continues to Expand New York City Office [Bloomberg]