WWL Mailbag: Brownstein Hyatt On Lockdown?

Given our current economic climate, it's not surprising that some firms may be a bit touchy when it comes to letting people go. After all, it's not as if a laid-off associate has many options available to them, and they may get a bit touchy about being thrown out on the street.

If the following rumor is true, however, we're going to need some details. We received the following tip yesterday:

Our [redacted] just visited Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck to [redacted]. He tried to take the elevator to the 16th floor, but the elevator would not allow him to do so until he checked in with security. He spoke to one of the secretaries there who informed him that a few employees have been laid off and they supposedly "got violent" while leaving. So now everybody has to check in with security before accessing Brownstein because of the lockdown. But that's just the word on the street...

Indeed. Did BHFS recently do a round of layoffs, or was this rumored policy instituted when that supposed "lone associate" got cut back in April? Anyone from BHFS care to confirm, deny, or define "got violent?"

Oh, damn ... please tell us this won't affect our access to Jason's Deli! Where will we get our Po'boys?!

(Thanks, Tipster!)

UPDATE: Well, BHFS is in "lockdown" mode, but it isn't because of disgruntled employees. Apparently, the increased security is due to threats one of their attorneys received in relation to a case. Thanks for the clarification, Karen.

WWL Mailbag

While sifting through the WWL mailbag, we came across the following email:

Dear WWL -

There was a litigation partner working for us who moved to another smaller firm. He took his Legal Secretary with him. We told her not to go, as she'd only worked with him a few months and hadn't seen his tirades as of yet. Thus, she took his offer to go to the firm with him.

A few weeks or a month or so working with him, she was getting treated like crap, he was throwing tantrums, and she walked out. He asked her to come back, apologizing and stating that he'd mend his ways, etc. She went back, only to be treated worse. She walked out again and he bribed her with money not to say anything to anyone about his treatment of her or his temper, tantrums, etc. Actually his girlfriend who is another lawyer made the money offer and negotiated the bribe.

I wonder how often this happens. I've heard of attorneys throwing things at their staff, having hissy fits, and being 5 year olds. I'm sure people have stories.

How about it, commenters - Do you have a tyrannical boss? We've covered the exploits of certain ego-heavy attorneys in the past, but we're always interested in new gossip. Let's hear the latest.

(Thanks, Anonymous!)