Those are scary numbers. Many of us were already working when Vegas got hit by the Great Recession in 2008, but this looks like it will be even worse. For those of you that have weathered the storm before, what advice do you have for those bracing for impact? Any tips for managing the anxiety and fear that may be completely reasonable in light of the circumstances? How are you prioritizing things when it comes down to making the tough decisions? Any words of comfort?
Rumors of course, but I heard MACLAW used it as an excuse to terminate some attorneys, and that Bremer Whyte terminated a crap ton of paralegals and file clerks at most, or all, of their offices.
Marquis Aubach, not sure if spelled one of the names right, is laying off. Both named partners are running for judge, so they have had financial woes for at least a few years.
MAC law is hands-down one of the best home-grown large law firms, period. Whatever changes might occur, I am sure it will continue to be one of the finest firms in town. The bench would be blessed to have Aurbach and Coffing — these two have a demonstrated record of excellence and integrity very, very few attorneys can match.
Fabulous attorney, Phil. Not Phil. Vote for Phil, because the man needs to chill.
Guest
Anonymous
March 26, 2020 5:36 pm
Yes. Many.
Guest
Anonymous
March 26, 2020 5:47 pm
I hate to jinx this so I am knocking wood on my dining room table but my cell phone and emails are busy today with new matters. Its like everyone who is home stir crazy is now wanting to address legal issues. Perhaps rumors of the demise of the business of law were premature.
I was here on 9/11 but 9/11 felt like an attack on New York (and to a lesser extent Washington) that impacted the rest of us. This feels like 9/11 happening simultaneously in Las Vegas and everywhere. When people argue the practice of law is not necessary, I think of all of the people today who need help.
Guest
Anonymous
March 26, 2020 6:06 pm
I do debtor bankruptcy, with a lot of referrals for odd/complex cases from other non-BK attorneys for their clients (they practice in areas I don't and I refer cases back to them of course in their areas.) Calls from individual clients have fallen off a cliff but referrals from other attorneys with clients who don't want to continue to defend litigation anymore, or need to get rid of debt to finalize a divorce, have gone up.
Guest
Anonymous
March 26, 2020 6:17 pm
My practice is doing well. Spring Valley law firm who practices personal injury and civil litigation.
Guest
Anonymous
March 26, 2020 7:04 pm
I fear that the truly big cases coming out of Vegas will be filed in bankruptcy court in the District of Delaware, not in Nevada.
Guest
Anonymous
March 26, 2020 7:10 pm
Can we please use "physical distancing" or "proximity safety" or "comfort zone" or ANYTHING BUT SOCIAL DISTANCING!????
I'd be curious on thoughts on this one: a judge routinely bring his/her children to work and continues to do so post-virus and social distancing. I am certain the judge has the funds for childcare but am otherwise sympathetic to staff who have children at home and are not able to afford childcare. Thoughts?
Guest
Anonymous
March 26, 2020 8:23 pm
Who wants to teach me BK? That's what we are going to need…
Bankruptcy law is high-level applied commercial law. If you spent your law school years and early career working on labor law, family law, criminal law, and other areas, bankruptcy might not be your thing. I took all the commercial classes I could, including 3 UCC classes, and bankruptcy, and commercial finance, antitrust, etc., and I still had a long road to hoe to become competent.
Bankruptcy is a funny practice. At the highest level it's extremely simple – you're just trying to maximize going concern value and protect creditors, and you can probably guess what the rule is if you keep that in mind. But if you zoom in a little, there are a million niche issues – cram down, avoidance doctrines, security interest valuation/priority – that can be very complicated. Then you zoom in a little further and it's almost like the law falls away, and it's more about negotiations with a bunch of parties with conflicting interests and tons of moving parts. Of course the law informs the negotiations, but I think it requires skills really different than, say, litigating civil procedure issues.
At least that's my experience with chapters 9 and 11. Others may have different thoughts.
Have any firms begun laying off attorneys and/or staff?
I heard H&H used the pandemic as an excuse for pay cuts for the attorneys. Can anyone verify that?
Rumors of course, but I heard MACLAW used it as an excuse to terminate some attorneys, and that Bremer Whyte terminated a crap ton of paralegals and file clerks at most, or all, of their offices.
Marquis Aubach, not sure if spelled one of the names right, is laying off. Both named partners are running for judge, so they have had financial woes for at least a few years.
MAC law is hands-down one of the best home-grown large law firms, period. Whatever changes might occur, I am sure it will continue to be one of the finest firms in town. The bench would be blessed to have Aurbach and Coffing — these two have a demonstrated record of excellence and integrity very, very few attorneys can match.
So 1:32, are you Aurbach or Coffing?
lol how many large home-grown law firms are in Las Vegas? I couldn't come up with 10 if I tried without really stretching the definition.
1:38, if either of their campaign consultants is worth their salt, 1:32 should be one of the consultants.
Blessed? Marquis and Coffing for egos bigger than Eglet.
Phil Aurbach is a fabulous attorney and a first rate human being. I am not Phil.
No one has a bigger ego than Eglet. Adams is a close second.
Fabulous attorney, Phil. Not Phil. Vote for Phil, because the man needs to chill.
Yes. Many.
I hate to jinx this so I am knocking wood on my dining room table but my cell phone and emails are busy today with new matters. Its like everyone who is home stir crazy is now wanting to address legal issues. Perhaps rumors of the demise of the business of law were premature.
If you were here and practicing law on 9/11, you know we will get through this.
I was here on 9/11 but 9/11 felt like an attack on New York (and to a lesser extent Washington) that impacted the rest of us. This feels like 9/11 happening simultaneously in Las Vegas and everywhere. When people argue the practice of law is not necessary, I think of all of the people today who need help.
I do debtor bankruptcy, with a lot of referrals for odd/complex cases from other non-BK attorneys for their clients (they practice in areas I don't and I refer cases back to them of course in their areas.) Calls from individual clients have fallen off a cliff but referrals from other attorneys with clients who don't want to continue to defend litigation anymore, or need to get rid of debt to finalize a divorce, have gone up.
My practice is doing well. Spring Valley law firm who practices personal injury and civil litigation.
I fear that the truly big cases coming out of Vegas will be filed in bankruptcy court in the District of Delaware, not in Nevada.
Can we please use "physical distancing" or "proximity safety" or "comfort zone" or ANYTHING BUT SOCIAL DISTANCING!????
This for the win.
What's wrong with "social distancing?" asked the introvert.
I'd be curious on thoughts on this one: a judge routinely bring his/her children to work and continues to do so post-virus and social distancing. I am certain the judge has the funds for childcare but am otherwise sympathetic to staff who have children at home and are not able to afford childcare. Thoughts?
Who wants to teach me BK? That's what we are going to need…
I wonder how many bankruptcy carpetbaggers we're going to have in the BK bar this summer.
Bankruptcy law is high-level applied commercial law. If you spent your law school years and early career working on labor law, family law, criminal law, and other areas, bankruptcy might not be your thing. I took all the commercial classes I could, including 3 UCC classes, and bankruptcy, and commercial finance, antitrust, etc., and I still had a long road to hoe to become competent.
Bankruptcy is a funny practice. At the highest level it's extremely simple – you're just trying to maximize going concern value and protect creditors, and you can probably guess what the rule is if you keep that in mind. But if you zoom in a little, there are a million niche issues – cram down, avoidance doctrines, security interest valuation/priority – that can be very complicated. Then you zoom in a little further and it's almost like the law falls away, and it's more about negotiations with a bunch of parties with conflicting interests and tons of moving parts. Of course the law informs the negotiations, but I think it requires skills really different than, say, litigating civil procedure issues.
At least that's my experience with chapters 9 and 11. Others may have different thoughts.
If you've done a Chapter 9 bankruptcy, much respect 🙂
Dear 5:41: Well said.
I have this feeling that this is not a good time to file injunction motions, even if you are a unicorn.