Are Legal Jobs for Summer Associates Waxing or Waning?

04/15/08

With the economy weakening in job sectors everywhere, what does this mean for the legal field? More specifically, what does it mean for summer associates? Will the job market wax or wane for law students seeking summer jobs? According to the following information, it looks like both will occur.

For the most part, law firms are pulling back on their hiring allotment for 2008 compared to 2007.

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Here's the breakdown:

• Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom: In 2006, the law firm hired 219 summer associates; in 2007, they hired 321; and in 2008, Skadden will hire only 300.
  
  
• Latham & Watkins: In 2006, the law firm hired 276 summer associates; in 2007, they hired 284; and in 2008, Latham plans on hiring only 264.
  
  
• Sidley Austin: In 2007, the firm hired 232 summer associates, while this year, it plans on hiring only 217.
  
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• Jones Day: In 2007, the firm hired 262 summer associates, while this year, the firm expects to hire 248.
  
  
• Kirkland & Ellis: The firm plans on hiring only 190 summer associates this year, as compared to 229 last year. According to partner Jay Lefkowitz, "As we were in the process of putting together the summer associate class, we were cognizant that the economic conditions could be a little different this year, that the economy at large might be in a challenging place."

But along with cutting back on summer associates, law firms are also cutting back in general. Why? To cut costs. According to Joel Henning, a consultant for Hildebrandt International, firms are planning to "cut at the bottom," meaning getting rid of the unproductive workers to make room for newer and perhaps more dedicated employees.

"You get bigger savings," Henning said.

However, some law firms do plan on hiring more summer associates, including DLA Piper, which plans on hiring 20 more summer associates this year than it did last year, and Morrison & Foerster, which plans on hiring 144 this year, as compared to the 108 who were hired last year.