Dirty LAWndry reader,”Sophia”, knows that she and a small group of attorneys will be laid off soon, but she has some advice.

“I work at Dechert and they have been laying people off in small numbers it seems like every other day. Since the layoffs started last year, many of the associates and staff attorneys were saying that we, the document reviewers, would be the first to go. They were so sure that their jobs were secure because they, unlike us, were supposed to be uber-important to the firm. Now, I don’t take pleasure in anyone being unemployed. But, I can’t help notice the reaction of those who just found out they were getting laid off today. They try to act as if everything is okay. But, they come back to their desks with either pale or beet-red faces trying to hold back the tears. Then, there are those who have to be escorted out of the office for throwing tantrums. Now, I’m a temp so I’m used to being laid off and just moving on to another project or working as a solo. But, these attorneys got way too comfortable living the “high and mighty” life at BigLaw and looking down their noses at everyone else. The attorneys that remain are now trying to think of ways to make themselves appear useful. The latest has been the lax use of the term “expert.” For example, if we have a question about a document, we’re told to see so-and-so because they’re an “expert” for that. Believe me when I say it’s for simple things. It’s nothing that would require an “expert” to answer. I guess that’s the new tactic being employed. I feel that instead of trying to avoid the inevitable with these useless strategies, they should be updating their resumes or trying to learn about becoming a solo. You can’t keep putting your eggs in one basket.”

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