A&O
Shearman
is
one
of
the
nine
Biglaw
firms
that
kissed
Donald
Trump’s
ring,
inking
a
deal
(over
the
pleas
of
associates)
promising
$125
million
in
pro
bono
payola
to
conservative
causes
and
clients.
Now
some
folks
will
have
to
wait
a
little
bit
longer
to
start
their
career
(and
come
into
the
office
four
days
a
week)
at
the
capitulating
firm.
The
firm
has
two
start
dates
for
the
class
of
2025,
and
insiders
at
the
firm
report
at
least
some
of
the
incoming
associates
had
their
start
date
pushed
back
to
January.
In
order
to
help
defray
the
financial
impact
of
missing
out
on
months
of
that
sweet,
sweet
Biglaw
paycheck,
the
firm
is
offering
a
salary
advance
—
not
a
stipend
—
to
those
impacted,
repayable
over
10
months.
Historically,
delays
in
the
associate
start
date
is
a
bellwether
for
austerity
measures
or
even
layoffs.
But
the
firm
is
just
a
year
out
from
the
merger
that
took
A&O
and
Shearman
and
created
A&O
Shearman,
a
process
that
involved
growing
pains,
so
perhaps
this
is
just
a
way
managing
their
talent.
Still,
a
real
bummer
for
those
anxious
to
get
started
on
their
legal
career.
If
your
firm
or
organization
is
delaying
the
start
date
for
associates,
reducing
the
ranks
of
its
lawyers
or
staff,
whether
through
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).
Kathryn
Rubino
is
a
Senior
Editor
at
Above
the
Law,
host
of
The
Jabot
podcast,
and
co-host
of
Thinking
Like
A
Lawyer.
AtL
tipsters
are
the
best,
so
please
connect
with
her.
Feel
free
to
email
her
with
any
tips,
questions,
or
comments
and
follow
her
on
Twitter
@Kathryn1 or
Mastodon
@[email protected].