
Where there might have been performance issues among lawyers at the firm, firms are more likely to deliver tougher messages in performance review than in a stronger environment. In the rush to hire people to deal with the surge in demand in 2021, firms might have found themselves in a position where they might have to bring on lawyers who, in a much different market, may not have found employment with those firms.
— Gretta Rusanow, head of advisory services in Citi’s Global Wealth at Work Law Firm Group, in comments given to the American Lawyer on the company’s midyear survey on leverage projections. Rusanow went on, saying that because Biglaw firms are attempting to rightsize without resorting to layoffs, associates will continue to face tougher performance reviews than they otherwise would have.


