One of the ways that we have traditionally been told we are different than other firms is that we are more transparent, in part because partners share more info with associates, associates have some influence in decision-making through the associates committee, etc. If 09 taught us anything, it is that Latham is no more transparent than our competitor firms, at least when it comes to things that matter most to associates.

So one suggestion is to bring the associates back into important decisions somehow. My personal feeling is that this can't happen through the associates committee, because members of that committee are basically hand-picked for their advancement potential. What associate on this committee (likely on partnership track) is going to weigh in against the partners to keep the partners from shooting the firm in the foot? Not a chance! Just like the rest of us, these associates are not interested in doing damage to their career prospects.

All this assumes that the partnership would actually consider vetting such matters with associates. If any associates here at Latham know of instances when the partnership has solicited the advice of the associates committee on how to best deal with layoffs/terminations, I would be interested to know. Would also be interested to know if these associates felt comfortable sharing their true opinions in front of the partnership.