More layoffs at DLA Piper

DLA Piper reduced its U.S. work force for the 2nd time this year, eliminating 21 lawyers & 100 staff members on Wed. It said in an internal memo demand across the legal sector remains soft. The memo also indicated ominous DLA doesn't see a recovery in the 2nd half of this year. "It is increasingly clear major improvements in the U.S. & global economy won't occur before 10," it said. The latest cuts affected only associates, not partners. In Feb, DLA laid off 180 people, including 80 lawyers, in the U.S. & announced 140 job cuts in the United Kingdom. The total carnage: 131 lawyers & 310 staff. DLA is one of the largest law firms in the world, with more than 3,700 lawyers, including 1,500 in the U.S. Wed layoffs were first reported on the blog Above the Law. The firm did not say how many people were cut in its Chicago office, which has 250 lawyers. DLA Piper a successor firm to Chicago's Rudnick & Wolfe, that focused on real estate, one of the economy's hardest-hit sectors. Here's the full memo: During the last year, we experienced the worst economic period in generations. We carefully gauged its impact on our business & responded by closely scrutinizing & reducing all of our material expenses across the board. We also reduced our workforce in Feb, attempting to preserve as many jobs as possible while avoiding further reductions later in the year. Unfortunately weakness in the economy has continued, demand across the legal sector remains soft, & it is increasingly clear major improvements in the US & global economy won't occur before 2010. We have therefore regretfully concluded we must cut our ranks now by 21 associates & 100 staff. While the firm