So is Greenspoon Marder<\/a>. And Ballard Spahr. And Baker & McKenzie. And Winston & Strawn. And Seyfarth Shaw<\/a>. And Norton Rose Fulbright<\/a>.<\/p>\n Some firms<\/a> are cancelling or moving summer associate programs.<\/p>\n Changing legal jobs<\/a> is a HUGE challenge during the coronavirus lockdowns.<\/p>\n And then there’s Pierce Bainbridge<\/a>, which was already facing a probe for a named partner’s alleged financial misconduct. Three named partners quit last week. 50 have left in recent months. Yesterday, the firm announced it was closing down<\/a>. Check out these statements by Don Lewis, a former Pierce Bainbridge partner, and a whistleblower<\/a> who says he was forced out of the firm for calling “foul” on John Pierce, founder of the firm:<\/p>\n “Pierce is a desperate, broke, substance abusing shell of his former self…. The opening of PB\u2019s books, would very likely reveal that Pierce is a fraud and a con man, lying to his partners, lying to the press, lying to his clients and lying to investors; it would also very likely crater a firm built on smoke and mirrors . . .<\/p>\n “Shortly before I was ousted, the bookkeeper said Pierce withdrew $200,000 from firm accounts in August and September 2018, we almost missed payroll, Pierce placed a moratorium on paying creditors …”<\/p>\n “When I decided to say something about financial improprieties, for the benefit of the partnership, not for one second did I think the response would be a concerted and relentless group attack on my reputation. Even if people now realize I was right all along; the damage my former partners have done to me is immense and they must be held accountable. …”<\/p>\n “[M]y former partners were concerned with themselves only, they intentionally ignored my efforts to stop John Pierce\u2019s shenanigans, and instead turned a blind eye, endorsed, promoted and enabled him until the money dried up; each of my former partners put a price on their integrity.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n OUCH.<\/p>\n Don Lewis<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n John Pierce<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Since we’ve been discussing this, I thought I’d post some of the articles I’ve read about how law firms are responding to the global pandemic and related lockdowns: Schiff Hardin LLP is cutting salaries and attorneys. So is Greenspoon Marder. … Continue reading ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sites.nd.edu\/entrepreneurlaw\/files\/2020\/04\/Don-Lewis.png\")
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