The Dewey & LeBoeuf law firm, once a legal heavyweight, ended in bankruptcy in May 2012, with over 1,000 people losing their jobs. But now, 11 years later, new research suggests that the careers of their associates and partners not only survived, but thrived, in many instances.
Indeed, a recent study penned by a student at Yale Law School reveals an encouraging picture. According to the research, former Dewey associates who were with the firm during its 2012 downfall had comparable odds of becoming a Big Law partner by 2022 as those working at similar law firms. Moreover, former Dewey partners stood as good a chance as any of remaining partners at Am Law 100 firms.
Based on these findings, it would seem that the high-profile bankruptcy of Dewey & LeBoeuf did not adversely affect the long-term career trajectory of its lawyers. Though the event undeniably had immediate impacts, the strength and resilience demonstrated by these attorneys is a testament to their skills and adaptability in the ever-evolving landscape of the law industry.