Clifford Chance loses fourth US litigator this week
Clifford Chance loses fourth US litigator this week" />Clifford Chance has suffered its fourth litigation defection in a week.
New York class action partner James Moyle moved to US firm Morgan Lewis yesterday. Earlier today, The Lawyer revealed that New York litigation trio John Carroll, Warren Feldman and David Meister have defected to Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom (2 December).
A source close to the firm said: "Jim was one of the few partners left that actually had a solid book of business. His departure is certainly significant."
All four departures come after the magic circle firm announced 20 associate layoffs in October this year. The firm suffered defections in its Washington DC office with office head Leiv Blad and partners Jon Roellke and Boyd Cloern joining Bingham McCutchen last month.
A spokesperson for Clifford Chance said the firm wishes Moyle well in his new role.
Morgan Lewis managing partner Michelle Coffey said: "We're thrilled to welcome a seasoned litigator like Jim to deepen our commercial litigation practice."
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Yesterday's story on Clifford Chance attracted a raft of comment from TheLawyer.com readers:
good for CC
Date: 3-Dec-2008 @ 01:48AM
From: Peter Godwin
CC doesn't need to have a big litigation practice as the US firms. It is a true international firm with the best international corporate and finance practice. If at all, litigation should just be a decoration. To be honest, CC shouldn't care too much about the US. The fight for the US market has cost it too much. It's not worth it. Nobody can have them all.
I use to work for the firm in their Records Department
Date: 2-Dec-2008 @ 20:32PM
From: Anonymous
Well I must say it is not a surprise to hear these Partners leaving first they are all great men who I admire and have the pleasure of calling them my friends.
The thing that CC neads to recognize is this is not Europe in the States clients belong to the attorney not the firm.
They also need to get over their hang up with control. They seemed to believe since they bpought out Rogers and Wells that our input is not important. We know how to run a firm stateside you should listen to those people who have been trying to intregrate you with the way we do business on this side of the pond.
Trouble
Date: 2-Dec-2008 @ 19:06PM
From: T Johnson
This is very bad news for Clifford Chance. It will surely have a knock on effect on litigation in London.
Glad to have gone
Date: 2-Dec-2008 @ 15:17PM
From: Anon
I had the misfortune of working as an associate in the London office of the litigation department at CC. I am very glad I made the move to a US law firm where the Partners really do nurture and retain the best staff. CC has too many managers and all are looking out for themselves.
The Right Move
Date: 2-Dec-2008 @ 14:31PM
From: Anonymous
Clifford Chance is not the sort of firm that retains the best. Glad that Warren Feldman will take his skills and work elsewhere.
Taking it personally
Date: 2-Dec-2008 @ 14:14PM
From: Anon.
Warren Feldman did some great pro bono work, including standing up to Bush. A good guy as well as a good lawyer.
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Readers' comments (5)
Anonymous | 2-Dec-2008 5:07 pm
Defecting Partners......
Will the last person to leave, please turn off the lights...?!
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David | 3-Dec-2008 6:00 pm
Make your mind up!
Clifford Chance should either take the hit of heavy investment in Manhattan or just pull out. The slow and cautious approach they've had so far just isn't paying off - they need to commit properly or just cut their losses.
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Former CC lawyer | 4-Dec-2008 10:08 am
Big crunch from the big apple
CC's problem is that it believes its brand is more important than its lawyers. As a result, it doesn't make much effort to retain talent, working on the basis there is always a queue of people waiting to take their place.
The partners are more interested in themselves than the lawyers and this can only spell trouble. Bonuses, promotions to the partnership and general pastoral support are poor, not to mention the politics. Many of the best people leave through disaffection. Perhaps this is just the start of its fall from grace. Linklaters will steal their crown within two years.
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Anonymous | 4-Dec-2008 4:01 pm
Former CC employee
I completely agree with the comments made by the Former CC lawyer. I used to work at CC and left because the Partners I worked for were the worst I had ever come across in my professional career. All out for themselves and that is the environment that Clifford Chance breeds. A hostile arrogant place where the the people that do the least work thrive. I felt that I was working in a provincial law firm with very small minded people rather than what it supposed to be an international number one law firm. The law firm is carrying a number of staff that don't contribute anything in real terms , dead wood that sit around getting paid at the expense of those that work hard (who then get kicked out). This will assure its fall from the No 1 spot!
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KHI | 4-Dec-2008 4:08 pm
Fall from Grace
The Partners at Clifford Chance have not grasped the basic fact that you can still make money and treat staff with respect.
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