Is Goodwin doing layoffs right now? This time around, we can confidently say that the answer to that question is no.
Many Biglaw firms — some more than others, of course — are often besieged by by rumors of layoffs. One of those firms is Goodwin Procter, which brought in $2,244,196,000 gross revenue in 2023, putting it at No. 16 in the most recent Am Law 100. The firm became the most recent “poster child” for layoffs after kicking off the year in 2023 with a reduction in force that eliminated about 5% of the firm’s timekeepers, including associates and all manner of other attorneys. In 2024, Goodwin opened the year by conducting performance reviews that resulted in “an unknown number” of out-of-work associates (and to us, this reeked of stealth layoffs).
These actions have resulted in a frequent ebb and flow of layoff rumors at the top Biglaw firm — in fact, whispers of layoffs at the firm are once again circulating on social media. Goodwin, however, is sick and tired of the firm being dragged through the mud, so its PR team is on the case to shut down the rumor mill at the very source.
As reported by the American Lawyer, Goodwin’s chief marketing and communications officer, Konstantin Shishkin, took to Reddit and Fishbowl to put an end to the layoff talk. We believe this may the first time a high-ranking member of a Biglaw firm’s staff has entered the fray on these social media sites using their own name and title to quell rumors of layoffs and job loss.
In his statement, available in full on the next page, Shishkin notes that Goodwin, which “just closed a record financial year,” is not conducting outright layoffs. He goes on to speak about how the firm has grown in size since January 22, and will continue to grow when it welcomes nearly 200 incoming associates later this month. “[A]ny talk about “continued layoffs” or “stealth layoffs” at Goodwin is both misinformed and untrue,” he writes. “We hope this clears things up for all of you who are curious about what’s going on at Goodwin.” Shishkin went on to officially confirm that “the firm did not ask anyone from the classes of 2022 and 2023 to leave the firm — for any reason — in any of its U.S. offices in the past 24 days.”
If you’re still not convinced that Goodwin is in no way, shape, or form conducting layoffs of any kind, be wary that these incredibly forthcoming statements tend to be few and far between when actual reductions are afoot. This is what a layoff looks like at the firm. This is what a stealth layoff may look like at the firm. A firm representative stating on a public forum that no layoffs of any kind are happening at the firm is sufficient evidence that NO LAYOFFS are occurring at this time.
Rest assured that if actual layoffs occur at this firm — or any firm — the Above the Law team will be here to provide coverage. At this time, we thank Shiskin for going to bat for Goodwin on Fishbowl and Reddit. We wish more high-ranking Biglaw staff members were willing to do the same.
(Flip to the next page to read Konstantin Shishkin’s statement in full.)
If your firm or organization is reducing the ranks of its lawyers or staff, whether through deferrals, open layoffs, stealth layoffs, or voluntary buyouts, please don’t hesitate to let us know. Our vast network of tipsters is part of what makes Above the Law thrive. You can email us or text us (646-820-8477). Thank you for your assistance.
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Goodwin Rebuts Layoffs Rumors Head On [American Lawyer]
Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on X/Twitter and Threads or connect with her on LinkedIn.
