More layoffs as Holland & Knight, Faegre cut jobs

Holland & Knight today confirmed it has cut its associate ranks by 70 and laid off a total of 173 support staff.

The US firm has made widespread cuts, totalling 243 employees, across its 21 offices.

A statement release by managing partner Steve Sonberg said: “Today we began restructuring our operations to better meet the needs of our clients and to take steps to fully respond to the adverse effects of the current economic downturn.”

Sonberg added that Holland & Knight was also reassigning lawyers from areas in which client demand has declined to more robust practice groups.

Those staff affected will receive severance pay, continued health care benefits and outplacement counselling and services over the coming months.

In a separate round of layoffs, US Faegre & Benson also announced it had culled lawyers from its ranks, laying off a total of 29 associates today.