Redundancies have been announced thick and fast recently (have a look at this layoff tracker for firms or this one for general misery if you feel the need). Alongside these announcements firms have been at pains to emphasise their reasoning behind such moves. Law firms cite declining demand for legal services, decreased fees for the work remaining and a lack of usual attrition as reasons for axeing associates. Whilst the need to carry out some restructuring in a recession …

With the uncertainty created by the economic crisis and layoffs affecting legal staff at all levels from secretaries to partners, there is understandably a fair amount of nervousness about. With that in mind it is no surprise that people are looking at all sorts of ways to protect their interests.

Following a difficult year for Cadwalder Wickersham & Taft last year , the recent exit of seven London partners to join US rival Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker earlier this …

The deluge of job cuts continues in the legal sector as firms take the opportunity for a bit of ‘restructuring’…

Last week ended with a big bang on the redundancy front as Linklaters joined Clifford Chance in the Magic Circle redundancy stakes. Linklaters plans to restructure its partnership in a move that could see more than 50 partners worldwide exit the City giant and up to 10% of its associates facing the axe. That may mean up to 200 associates …

The sad news is that as businesses implode and law firms cut back, the redundancies are stacking up for associates (more have been announced this week). When it comes staffing issues amongst law firms, associates appear to be like fish in the proverbial barrel.

At the same time, it is positive to note that trainee recruitment appears to be holding up (unless you are one of said associates, in which case it might grate a little). Bearing in mind that …

What is a busy lawyer to do for fun these days? What makes for a suitable activity to keep one occupied when not at work? It seems that drinking is probably the most popular pass-time for most but it’s hardly something to write home about. On a more constructive level, maybe a bit of tiddlywinks or philosophy for the indoor types, or a bit of excercise – croquet or squash perhaps for those of a sporting disposition? Who knows …

Obviously students, trainees, junior lawyers and even partners are faced with some tricky choices during their legal careers. These days there are plenty of resources to visit for a bit of expert advice and of course there is invaluable opinion and feedback to be gleaned from Solicitr’s readers and their ilk. Here is a nice little query received by US blog Above the Law , which they aptly entitled, "Pls Hndle Thx: She’s Trying to Destroy Me ":

" ATL -

I’ve …