Layoff Watch, Part II

We started receiving tips yesterday that KKBRF has recently made some major cuts. According to the tips, the layoffs started in their Reno office on Wednesday with one partner and one associate being cut loose. On Thursday, they reportedly laid off three transactional attorneys and "at least" two litigation attorneys, plus staff. 

Apparently, no one is sure if the (rumored) cuts are related to the (rumored) merger with Greenberg Traurig, or if the economy is to blame. Either way it sucks. This is truly a sad state of affairs, and our hearts go out to our fellow colleagues. Please post any denials, confirmations or further information in the comments. 

UPDATE:

We received a follow up tip with the final body count: 

4 - Litigation attorneys (2 from Vegas, 2 from Reno)
4 - Transactional attorneys (one very pregnant)
1 - Government Affairs attorney
All related staff

We also received news from one of our tipsters regarding the post-massacre meeting:

"There was a firm wide meeting at the end of the day where they said that the remaining attorneys who had not been laid off would be the firm going forward, and if we merge with GT, this will generally be our firm merging (interesting use of the word "generally" by managing partner Mike Bonner, I overheard some litigation attorneys really parsing his language on that issue...lawyers are nerds). They also said that some partners will be leaving on their own terms by April, no word on which partners. The general justification for the layoffs was the poor economy, though they noted that we have lots of money in the bank after a pretty good year last year. This year is going to be tough.
There is a lot of speculation amongst the remaining associates that more layoffs could occur, and also that a number of partners will split and open a new firm."

SECOND UPDATE  (2/20/08):

Looks like the LV Sun (finally) got around to reporting this. Many thanks to you tipsters for the scoop.

According to the Sun, the total body count was "at least nine attorneys" plus three to four support staff. The Sun was also able to get a quote from the firm:

“We did have some reductions,” firm spokeswoman Diane Gibes said. “Like so many companies across the country we were affected by the economic downturn. It’s unfortunate, but we felt we needed a leaner structure.”

"[W]e felt we needed a leaner structure?" We're sure that makes those of you who ended up on the wrong end of a pink slip feel awesome.

(Thanks for the tips, Anonymous.)