Former US head John Carroll and partners Warren Feldman and David Meister have left the magic circle firm's New York office and are understood to be in advanced talks with New York elite firm Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom.
The departures come less than a month after Washington DC managing partner Leiv Blad and litigation partners Jon Roellke and Boyd Cloern left for Bingham (13 November). In October the firm announced that 20 litigation associates in its New York and Washington DC offices were being laid off (14 October).
While Clifford Chance will not confirm the latest departures, inside sources at the firm said the defections are related to internal wranglings over the partners' super-point pay status.
A source close to the firm said: "The litigation team is disintegrating and to have these partners leaving is a very bad sign. All three were responsible for providing a lot of work for associates.
"This is going to be very challenging for Clifford Chance."
Clifford Chance and Skadden declined to comment.
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good for CC
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
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
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
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
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
From: Anon.
Warren Feldman did some great pro bono work, including standing up to Bush. A good guy as well as a good lawyer.