Wednesday, March 9, 2011

It's Over: Howrey Closes Its Doors May 9, 2011

Commenters are reporting that Howrey will close its doors on May 9, 2011.  Wind-down committee is being formed, and apparently, Howrey is doing something nontraditional with COBRA coverage.

Current Howrey employees:  I am very sorry to hear this.  Good luck with finding new work quickly, and I wish you and your families the best during this difficult time.

UPDATE:  HERE'S THE WARN ACT NOTICE
Dear Colleagues,

As discussed in the meeting held earlier today, attached is a letter which provides 60 days notice of your termination from Howrey, due to the cessation of the firm’s business operations and closure of your office. This letter is being sent in compliance with applicable Federal and/or State Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification (“WARN”) Act(s), and will also be sent to your residence via overnight delivery from Federal Express tomorrow.

Howrey sincerely appreciates the contributions you have made during your tenure at the firm, and wishes you success in your career pursuits.

150 comments:

  1. At 6:49....shut it! There are a lot of very good people that are being adversely affected by this debacle. And crap posts like yours just don't help!!

    Show a class!

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  2. @7:34 - I think 6:49 did show a class. Low class.

    I hope that those living with uncertainty will find secure employment very quickly. I believe unequivocally that this is a blessing in disguise. I believe that your next job will be a better one, in a brighter, happier environment -- one in which you can trust those in charge. Good luck & God Speed.

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  3. It's interesting to see all the many stories and posts over the past several weeks focusing only on the partners and associates. As an attorney, I am embarrassed to see this. There's more to the story here. There are more staff at Howrey than attorneys, some with very impressive experience in and out of the legal industry. These people are a big part of the story.

    It is sad to see that all anyone is concerned about is where the attorneys will land. What about the hundreds of other professionals who may or may not be paid for the time they work or for the vacation they have earned. Who pays for that? Who gets prosecuted for lack of financial responsibility? Surely no one will. I'm sure the attorneys will come out smelling like roses.

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  4. @6:49 - you're a jerk. As a former Howrey employee, I'm completely saddened by all of this. A lot of the staff has been with the firm for 20+ years. They're good people and extremely talented. I wish them well in their future endeavors. Now, of course, the partners will mostly all land somewhere with little or no impact to their compensation. Hopefully, it's not with some regret to what will be happening with the employees that supported them for much of their careers. Good luck my fellow Howrey employees - anywhere you are able to find employment will be lucky to have you.

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  5. I'm with a law firm called Blum Collins LLP in Los Angeles. Our firm represents the former employees of the Heller Ehrman and Thelen law firms, which both collapsed in late 2008. We were appointed lead counsel for the certified classes of employees of those firms in federal court lawsuits over unpaid benefits and wages and insufficient WARN Act notices.

    We know this is a difficult and stressful time for the Howrey staff and associates.

    Send us your email address if you would like to stay in touch with us as events unfold: blum@blumcollins.com

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  6. I started in Los Angeles just when the office was being opened - 1992. I feel privileged to have worked with such great people, from just about every Howrey office. My best friends are people I've worked with here. My wife, I met while working here. I've worked many all-nighters doing crazy last minute stuff - but more often than not the results proved it had been worth the effort. Our teams have achieved great, almost impossible results for our clients and I've been really proud of that. Proud to say I was part of a winning team, working with people I truly respected. Howrey is the best place I've ever worked and I don't think it gets much better than this. I will always be a Howrey cheerleader

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  7. @Steven A. Blum

    Mr. Blum, do you know whether the WARN Act covers farm animals? I haven't yet received my WARNing. And, it's getting late. The sun is going down. The wolves that raised 6:49 will soon be out and howling at the moon. Oil lamps are about to be lit, and I'm not sure what will happen then. But, seriously, if I don't receive my WARNing today, does that mean my drop dead date gets moved to May 10?

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  8. As a former Howrey and former Heller employee, I am deeply saddened by this news. I hope and pray that the staff and attorneys all find gainful employment to be able to provide for themselves and their families in these tough times. Hopefully, they will all stick together and support each other through this difficult process. My prayers are with you all.

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  9. Bob did not even show his face for the staff meeting today. I suppose he has been moved to his bunker.

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  10. Does anyone know about the COBRA details? How can they get out of the obligations?

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  11. I have known the people of Howrey for 20+ years, as an admirer, client and attorney in the LA office. A better group of attorneys, and people, I've never known. The tragedy is that had the firm retained the roots it had established until the early 2000s it would not be disbanding today. And I second the comments about the staff members -- extraordinary people willing to go the extra mile. And for the trolls on here hawking their services and/or gloating -- get a life. Go sit on a branch with the other vultures.

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  12. Steven A. Blum = ambulance chaser. Get 'em when they have just been hurt and are most vulnerable. The type that gives all lawyers a bad name.

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  13. We still have work to do folks. Let's get it in.

    - Bob

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  14. I am considering starting Ruyak LLP for our family. I anticipate bringing all remaining attorneys and staff aboard. I anticipate a decision within the week. You all should hear from me within a month.

    - Bob

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  15. It's truly a sad day. Although I left Howrey in 2005, I've mainained close contact with many of the incredible people employed across the offices. The group of people I had the honor to work with at the LA Office, attorneys and staff alike, are amazing, my husband being one of them. What they've been put through over the last couple of months is nothing short of cruel. The senior partners that chose to handle this already dire situation with secrecy and lies should be ashamed of themselves. I hope and pray that all those still at Howrey land on their feet and prosper at firms that'll treat them with the respect they deserve.

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  16. Shame, shame, shame on Howrey "management"! It's bad enough that you took a well-respected, viable and profitable firm and drove it into a ditch. What's worse though is your deliberate and arrogant failure to communicate with the staff and associates on whose backs you racked up those PPP year after year. Shame on you! Based on what's in the public domain, you breached your fiduciary duties to your partners, and you violated your moral, ethical and legal responsibilities to your employees. You deserve what's coming, and it is most certainly coming.

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  17. The best part is at the meeting today a partner actually said "I did not star tot look for another firm until 10 days ago"

    Umm, that is 10 days before you told staff that Howrey was done. Thanks.

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  18. They should have had a daily briefing since early February, when the thing really went off the rails. Who's been managing the place for the past couple of months? They've seemed to have no management at all.

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  19. @11:57 -- Care to tell us who?

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  20. Who's "Howrey"? Aren't you defunct?

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  21. @Steven A. Blum

    Your post here is in exceedingly bad taste. It speaks to a lack of judgement and an opportunistic soul. Consider yourself very lucky if you manage to enrich yourself over this.

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  22. Will we get payed on the 15th? Its the firms INTENTION..."He hopes so" "IT'S UP TO THE BANK"

    How about in 2 weeks? Its the firms INTENTION to pay. wink, wink "IT'S UP TO THE BANK"

    According to Bob, "its a risk if you will be payed or not if you keep working" "IT'S UP TO THE BANK"

    How long will we have our insurance? "Do not know, IT'S UP TO THE BANK" He will be asking for 1 month warning.. Great..Thanks

    Will we get the option for Cobra? NO, is there anything in places for COBRA NO, but they are working on something. I GUESS THIS ONE IS NOT UP TO THE BANK?

    Will we get payed for our PTO? Its the firms INTENTION to pay. "IT'S UP TO THE BANK"

    Why the hell were we listening to this guy? We should be talking to the freaking bank!

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  23. It was Ripley, right after he started crying.

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  24. At least Ruyak is finally fessing up and telling the truth for once; it IS up to Citibank. Citibank is holding the reins right now. The only good news here is that there is a beginning of an orderly chain of events emerging here. As I've heard it told, staff, associates, and any remaining partners who are pegged to be part of the "dissolution" will have their salaries paid first.

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  25. OK, my semi-informed conjecture:

    Salary
    "Critical Services (ATT? AMEX?)
    Employee Reimbursements
    "Other" vendors

    Things may change, but this seems to be the pecking order

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  26. At every stage in this affair, Firm management has been unBle to keep up with the sequence of events. The Were meeting is essentially a request that the staff put their trust in future events that the Firm management - to date - has been unable to control, predict, or influence. This is a big gamble by any staffers.

    Ignore the wiggle room that Howrey left themselves: the Firm has no vision of how this wind down is going to occur, and no ability to protect the staff while it happens.

    Do not assume that you will be paid until May 9th. Start networking and reach out to other law contacts and friends. Start looking for a job now.

    Good luck and god bless.

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  27. Pillsbury next up.

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  28. Can someone clarify what was said about health benefits? How long are they said to last as-is? Don't individual ex-employees have the right under the law - COBRA - to continue coverage for up to 6 months (even though have to pay for it)?

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  29. Did others in the DC office get WARN notices yesterday? I didn't.

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  30. I think the COBRA issue with health insurance may be the fact that the firm's contract with CIGNA and/or other insurance carriers will end at some point. If you quit or get laid off from an employer that still has an active insurance plan then yes you can pay out of pocket to continue your existing coverage under COBRA. But if the plan no longer exists I don't think it's possible.

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  31. Aw shucks. Bye Howrey. I love it. You earned it. Start bagging groceries like the rest of the country.

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  32. I left almost a year ago, after Howrey canceled bonuses exactly 1 week before they were supposed to be handed out. It was clear to me then that this firm was having financial difficulties and was not communicating well to its people. I agree with 7:49 PM that it seems that most people that posted here were only concerned with the associates and partners and how this will affect them, with little regard for the staff (and staff attorneys) well being. I had the opportunity to work with some top notch people there and wish them the best of luck in finding a better place to work, prosper and grow.

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  33. @9:11am-- seriously? Really? Offer = job. Promise from imploding firm = unicorn dust.

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  34. This sucks on so many levels. When prospective law firms see Howrey on your resume, they will know that you are negotiating from a position of weakness and their offers will reflect this.

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  35. So tough in the courtroom, so weak in the real world. So many tears now that you are in the meatgrinder you have been putting people through for the last ten years since you lost your moral compass. How many businesses and families have you ruined with your lawsuits and now you have to deal with the same.

    Man up douche bags.

    Sincerely,
    The rest of the world.

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  36. Sorry my life is so much more bitchin' than yours. I planned it that way.

    Charlie Sheen

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  37. What a sad time in the legal world. No one at Howrey wished for this to happen. Howrey has top notch staff and attorneys. I wish everyone much success and happiness in the future.

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  38. If a law firm falls in a city...March 10, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    The body is a Bodhi tree,
    the mind a standing mirror bright.
    At all times polish it diligently,
    and let no dust alight.

    Bodhi originally has no tree.
    The bright mirror also has no stand.
    Fundamentally there is not a single thing.
    Where could dust arise?

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  39. Here's a practical/technical question for any labor lawyers out there:

    If the dissolution is effective March 15, how can the firm give WARN Act notices that run through May 9, and require employees to continue working until May 9 in order to be paid?

    Wouldn't that suggest the real dissolution date is May 9? Otherwise, who are these employees working for from March 15 through May 9? If Howrey has been dissolved, who is their employer, as a technical legal matter? And if the employees are technically being terminated on March 15 by the dissolution of Howrey, and then re-hired through May 9 by some wind-down entity, doesn't that create all sorts of legal ramifications?

    And if instead the firm really is dissolving as of March 15, then doesn't that suggest the WARN Act notice & payments are *not* contingent on employees reporting to work during the March 15-May 9 period?

    Any explanation appreciated.

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  40. No. The WARN Act just says they have to give you 60 days notice before laying you off. With yesterday's notice they informed you that you'll be laid off in 60 days. It doesn't matter when/if Howrey dissolves as an entity.

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  41. But if Howrey is dissolved as an entity on March 15, what entity is employing those people up until May 9? What entity is responsible for writing their paychecks, withholding their taxes, making 401k contributions, providing insurance coverage, handling HR matters, etc?

    Not Howrey, because it's dissolved. Some other entity ("Ruyak LLP")?

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  42. Go back to the troll hole where you came from.

    You are already trying to figure out if you can sue someone on a WARN technicality? You are Howrey - once you are gone it's nothing. Go get a job with GMC if you want to sue someone after/when they run you off from there. A law firm is nothing at the end of the day. No assets - nothing. Belly up and dead.

    They could have fleeced the sheep a thousand times, but they chose to skin it once.

    I’m tired of pretending I’m not a total, bitchin’ rock star from Mars.

    Charlie

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  43. 12:16 again. Actually, I'm trying to figure out who is going to handle all those HR things and cut me a check during that period. I'm worried that in true Howrey fashion, someone is going to try to argue that I'm not entitled to those things after March 15 because Howrey LLP is defunct and only Ruyak LLP is operating.

    Blue Horseshoe loves Anacott Steel, Charlie.

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  44. Under partnership law, a firm does not cease to exist upon dissolution. Dissolution is the beginning of the "winding down" period of a partnership, in which the partnership goes about completing unfinished business and wrapping things up in an orderly fashion. Only after that winding down period is over does the firm then actually cease to exist. And the winding down period can take many months; even more than a year. And don't confuse the May 9 date with the end of the winding down period. May 9 seems to be merely when Howrey as an office is closing. Howrey as a legal entity (the partnership) will continue until the winding down period is over. And there is no way of knowing for sure now how long that will take.

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  45. Clearly I have defeated this earthworm with my words.

    Charlie

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  46. @10:28 a.m. As someone who stuck around and turned down 2 job offers, I don't think its that silly. When you absolutely love the people you work with and know there is a good chance you are going somewhere with them, why not wait around a bit longer? Especially if management was promising paychecks and insurance would not just be stopped? My decision to wait around paid off. I'm going with the group I love working with.

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  47. what is happening w/ the LA office?

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  48. Can't wait until some of the more subhuman posters start calling the staff "Little Eichmanns."

    Let me clue you in, Rest of the World: the arrogant rarely pay for their mistakes. It's everyone else that ends up hurt. Hasn't the recession taught you that by now? Isn't this whole mess a FUCKING OBJECT LESSON in that basic truth?

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  49. I got my WARN Act notice today via email and FedEx to my house. Um, why FedEx? Seriously? Mail me a copy if you have to and include a ten that you would have saved by not using FedEx.

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  50. @1:30p, that's helpful about partnership law. Thanks.

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  51. Three months ago I was laid-off by Howrey. A major partner emailed me and said 'Go In Peace'. Now most major headlines in the net says RIP Howrey. I have no hurt feelings I was laid off as i received a good severance package, but feel bad for those who are still there.

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  52. I think we are all a bunch of idiots. I'm still "employed" here at Howrey on the West Coast" I was Anonymous on March 10, 2011 12:38 AM.

    Since the firm "Intends" to do all these great acts like pay us our wages, PTO & maybe have insurance for us--Oh wait "THAT'S UP TO THE BANK"

    FOR THE ONES WHO ARE NOT GOING WITH ATTORNEYS, I'M INCLUDED IN THIS BUNCH.

    Why dont we all have one day when we "intend" to go to work and not show up at all. What can they do fire us? I mean we "intended" to go to work right?

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  53. I left the LA office a year ago this month. I miss the people, but after being there a few years, the attitude from DC was getting weird - and now it does prove you can't run a firm like a business.

    Well, you can...but it will not go well.

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  54. @11:40, while I get what you're saying, I feel the need to clarify one point. You can certainly run a firm like a business. The goal would be to run it like a successful business, though. That was not accomplished here. MBAs will have a field day studying and analyzing this "business model."

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  55. Howrey's failure was not about the buinseess model at al, which alwasys was strong. It was about execution and the shockingly shitty management from the very top and the destruction of a cohesive culture by one person and his senior colleagues who not only let it all happen but who applauded the cult of the personality as it became extreme. The firm simply morphed into a bananna republic the last several years.

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  56. Well, just to keep everyone in the loop on Europan issues: http://www.cincodias.com/articulo/economia/Martinez-Lage-independiza-firma-Howrey/20110311cdscdieco_16/

    Madrid office will be flying "solo", as they did before merging with Howrey! Good for them! Good luck guys!

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  57. I'M A FORMER HOWREY EMPLOYEE AND I WAS LAID OFF IN THE FIRST ROUND OF LAYOFFS. I SAW IT COMING--THE DEMISE OF THE FIRM. RUYAK THOUGHT HE WAS EITHER A GANGSTER IN THE MOB WITH HIS "DEALING" OR A MOVIE STAR IN HOLLYWOOD WALKING AROUND IN THE OFFICE WITH THOSE $2,000 SUITS AND "SLICK HAIR" WHILE MISMANAGING THE LAW FIRM. WELL, ENOUGH OF RUYAK. RUYAK,GO HOME AND COLLECT YOUR UNEMPLOYED LIKE WE DID. JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, BOB, THE MOST YOU CAN GET IN DC IS $359 PER WEEK AND OBAMA'S $25 STIMULUS IS OVER.

    HERE'S WHERE SOME OF THE STAFF, INCLUDING ME, GET THEIR REAL REVENGE. FOR ME PERSONALLY, I JUST LIKE TO BE SITTING OUTSIDE THE WARNER BUILDING AT 1299 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE AND WATCH THE HR DIRECTOR, "MINELVA MITCHELL" WALK OUT THE DOOR WITH HER DAMN BOXES WITH AN ESCORT. HER SELECTION PROCESS FOR DETERMING WHO TO LEAVE AND WHO TO STAY AT THE FIRM WAS UNFAIR. MINELVA SELECTED ALL OF THE BLACK SECRETARIES SHE DID NOT LIKE AND DARE TO SELECT ANY OF THE WHITE SECRETARIES--SOME WORKED FOR ASSOCIATES AND THE OTHERS WORKED FOR PARTNERS. MINELVA NEVER REALIZED THE WHITE SECRETARIES HATED HER GUTS AND HER MANAGEMENT STYLE ANYWAY. I REALLY APPLAUDE THE WHITE SECRETARIES FOR HAVING THE PROTECTION OF THEIR PARTNERS. MINELVA IS A TREMENDOUS LIAR AND WAS FAMOUS FOR CREATING TURMOIL AMONG THE SECRETARIAL STAFF AND COMING BETWEEN SOLID SECRETARIAL RELATIONSHIPS. OH YEAH, SHE SURROUNDED HERSELF WITH PETS AND "TATTLE TAILS" WHO VISITED HER OFFICE. SHE WELCOME THEM WITH ALL THE GOSSIP AND ALWAYS USED THE GOSSIP AGAINST A SECRETARY TO BELITTLE THEM. ALSO, SHE WOULD WALK AROUND FROM SECRETARIAL STATION TO SECRETARIAL STATION COLLECTING ALL THE GOSSIP. HOW PROFESSIONAL IS THAT???? IT'S ASHAME THAT UPPER MANAGEMENT DID NOT CORRECT HER BEHAVIOR.

    WARNING: IF ANY INDUSTRY IS LOOKING TO HIRE A HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER, PLEASE DO NOT HIRE MINELVA MITCHELL. SHE AWFUL. WHEN MINELVA WAS HIRED BY HOWREY, SHE DID NOT HAVE ANY LAW FIRM EXPERIENCE AND IT SHOWED. I'M SURE THAT HER 7 YEARS EXPERIENCE AT HOWREY AT A FAILED LAW FIRM WOULD NOT BE A GREAT THING TO HAVE ON HER RESUME.

    MINELVA....EAT YOUR CAKE. HOWREY USED YOU. HOWREY IS PUTTING YOUR BIG BUTT OUT THE DOOR. TAKE THAT!!!!!!!

    P.S. MY FRIEND AND I HAVE BECOMES FRIENDS AGAIN. I'M SO THANKFUL WE DISCOVERED ALL OF YOUR BULL.

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  58. @11:39 - If your ALL CAPS wasn't enough to discredit you, you had to play the "Howrey is racist against white people" card too? Come on. Howrey messed up in a million ways here. I could care less about the partners and their future. I'm concerned about the staff members and their families. Yelling that Howrey hates white people doesn't help anyone.

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  59. @11:39 You missed the point. 11:39 was not talking about white people. It was about Minelva--not Howrey. 11:39 Applauded the white secretaries for disconnecting themselves from Minelva. Obviously, 11:39 was an employee and witness the layoffs and not you. Obviously, you must be white as I am too and you took it personally!

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  60. Correction for 12:30 post

    @12:09 You missed the point. 11:39 was not talking about white people. It was about Minelva--not Howrey. 11:39 Applauded the white secretaries for disconnecting themselves from Minelva. Obviously, 11:39 was an employee and witness the layoffs and not you. Obviously, you must be white as I am too and you took it personally!

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  61. @12:09 You're stupid and your comments does not sense make. I got laid off as well in 2008. 99% of the secretaries who were laid off were Black. The White Secretaries and Black Secretaries had great relationships. I agree with 11:39. Ms. Mitchell got rid of the Black secretaries. Obviously, you were not a part of the Firm. Besides, I liked the caps--easy on the eyes.

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  62. Its 12:09 again. Maybe I misunderstood what 11:39 was saying. But his/her post wasn't very clear. And no, thankfully I do not work at Howrey. Sounds like they communicated nothing to their staff, which is a really shitty thing to do.

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  63. A lady named Minelva is white?

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  64. Rumor has it that the current staff will not receive severance and PTO balances will not be paid. People don't even know if they're getting paid. Citibank is running the show, per Bob Green!

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  65. @1:16PM Absolutely not. She's a Black woman from some the Islands. I too am a former secretary from Howrey who she got rid of.

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  66. These attacks against one of our staffers make me sick. They are just hate-speech and should be taken down.

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  67. @12.09. IT'S ME 11:39. YES, INDEED YOU MISSED THE POINT. MINELVA MITCHELL IS A BLACK WOMAN WHO SELECTED THE BLACK SECRETARIES TO LAYOFF. THE ONLY SECRETARIES WHO SURVIVED WERE HER PETS. THE WHITE SECRETARIES NEVER RESPECTED MINELVA--RIGHTLY SO AND OF COURSE, SHE DARE NOT GO NEAR THEM BECAUSE THEY HAD THE PROTECTION OF SOME POWERFUL PARTNERS. THE WHITE SECRETARIES REALIZE SHE WAS A TRUE PHONY INDIVIDUAL. MY DISCUSSION WAS NOT A RACE ISSUE. I JUST WANTED AN OPEN FORUM TO "BLAST" MINELVA FOR HER MISTREATMENT OF THE BLACK SECRETARIES. IT WAS LIKE REVERSE RACISM. FROM MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, HOWREY WAS NOT A RACIST FIRM. HOWREY JUST HIRED THE WRONG HR DIRECTOR AND APPARENTLY HOWREY WAS NOT AWARE OF HER UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT IN TERMS OF HOW SHE MANAGED THE SECRETARIAL STAFF. TRUST ME. I WAS THERE AND OBSERVED HER ALL THE TIME.

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  68. @2:20 What you don't realize is that it's the truth. Staff and attorneys have been lied to year after year and it's time we get it out in the public. It is What It is! The Fat Lady is "rapping like Jay-Z."

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  69. So what is going to happen to all the staff attys in DC?

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  70. For all the secretaries who told lies on the other secretaries to get them fired so that they could keep their job until they retired, NOT ---- LLLMAO!

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  71. @ JohnFitzpatrick. My company was hired regularly by Howrey to assist with document reproduction during trial. We worked with you on a case located in SF in 2003. You were an absolute wonderful person to work for as was the rest of the Howrey team. I am saddened by Howrey's demise and hope that all its employees find success in their careers.

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  72. Dear 11:39 - I'm pretty sure that the reason that you were laid off in the first lay off has nothing to do with the fact that you're black but the fact that you can't write a sentence that makes sense and who the hell uses all caps but a crazy person? As a white administrative person at the firm, I can say that it most definitely wasn't because Minelva was intimated by white secretaries or the white partners. In my experience, Minelva wasn't afraid to tackle situations that involved both white and black secretaries and not always falling on the race card but who actually had a leglimate complaint against the other. While I didn't always agree with some of the decisions that were made, I found Minelva to be fair in her assessments. Why are you trying to sully the reputation of a person who most likely protected you in a majority of the situations where you should have been fired?

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  73. Again hold on - I'm pretty sure that Ms. Minelva wasn't the person who decided on who specifically was being laid off but may have submitted a list to the powers that be. Management made the decision on who was ultimately laid off - her list may have been overridden.

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  74. I don't blame Minelva. She was probably in the "dark" like everyone else. I was also laid off and I never had any problems with Minelva. I'm black & I'm not one of her "snitches." I worked and minded my own business. Stop the blame game and get on with life. At least I can say I was able to walk away with my dignity. You won't find no grudges here. I got my severance & a better job. As you can see, the writing has been on the wall for some time. Ruyak lied at every quarterly meeting. As he would say "We are on track". On track? Which track? The one that you derailed? It's ashame that so many people have been affected by his lies. God don't like ugly. All I can say is that I wish everyone well. It can be rough, but be determined. Good things can & will happen.

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  75. @9:55;11:33 and 12:08

    I sure did catch on to 11:39 and I loved the caps--it sure did catch my eyes. Minelva did not have any power to fire anyone. She was a "goofer" for the Firm and now she's being kicked to the curb. I liked what 11:39 wrote. Brava for being so brave. You need to do a freakin "head count" on who was laid off and the numbers will show the difference in Black secretaries vs. White Secretaries laid off. Is that you Eileen posting on the blog--the white administrator? It's a little late for protecting Minelva and Howrey management. You see readers, these are some of the people who sat and sat and sat and sat and now waiting until the doors closed. It's funny that these asses are writing in defense of Minelva and Howrey. Oh yeah, there out of jobs too. You're still sitting until May 9 while all the Partners Hauled Assed and Headed for the Hills. By: Another Black Secretary laid off.

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  76. @11:22

    "Sticks and Stones Can Break My Bones, but Howrey can never hurt me--again." I'm Black and I'm proud. Power to the black ex-secretaries who got laid off by Minelva's list!

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  77. @9:55

    You need to shut up and focus on getting us paid with severance pay, PTO, health benefits and their last March 15 paycheck rather than taking a crack at 11:39. The nerve of Howrey demanding us to work cleaning up the office and threating us that we if we don't stay through May 9, we will not get paid. Add to the insult, Howrey said it was up the bank--Citibank--to decide to pay us. Can you respond to that!!!!!! More smoke and mirrors. The lies grow.

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  78. I was also laid off from Howrey. Although at the time the layoff was difficult to digest, Howrey was very generous in their severance package and I was able to find a job shortly after the layoff.

    So rather than discredit Minelva who was not at fault, I have chosen instead to put my efforts into helping my former co-workers to find jobs.

    For the person, who started this rant about Minelva, I will pray for you.

    May God soften your heart so that you may use your energy to lift her and others up rather than to tear them down. I ask God to forgive you and all the others who have made negative comments about one of God’s children.

    Rather than the negativity, what Howrey employees really need is our help in securing employment so that they can stay in their homes and feed their children.

    MAY GOD BE WITH YOU…

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  79. Clearly, 11:39 is a very disgruntled former employee and that is enough not to take her seriously; an intelligent mind can see the intent of her character assassination exercise

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  80. @11:39/8:41

    Wow, I just started reading through all the comments. This is some juicy stuff about our HR Manager, Minelva. I survived the cuts and I am still here at Howrey waiting until they cut off the lights. I can add this incident to your comments. I remember when I asked Ralph Allen why did the firm layoff a particular secretary right after a meeting with the staff announcing there would be no more cuts. Ralph's reply to me was simply "Ask Minelva." Rhalpy made it clear, it was her decision to lay off the secretaries she didn't like. You're right 11:39, the few of us left here do not like her management style. The people who are harassing you are in denial. Plus, Minelva loves to hug too much. I guess it's a tribal thing!

    You managers at Howrey, you need to calculate our money and stop defending Minelva in the blog because we have mouths to feed and mortgage to pay.

    Thanks for telling it like it is 11:39.
    I wish I could figure who you are. Hight 5.

    ReplyDelete
  81. 11:59 your line of thinking is not rational and you lack the ability to engage in decent exchange

    ReplyDelete
  82. I also worked at Howrey and can say that it may be the perception of some that Minelva protected her favorites and got rid of secretaries on a whim but I do remember being shocked that a few of her "favorites" were also laid off in some of the layoffs. We don't always know the reasoning behind who's chosen to be laid off but people we thought should have been and weren't. Some could be people on a protected list - illness, family leave, disability - what difference does it make because in a few weeks everyone will be gone. The blame game can go on forever but that won't help our former co-workers find other employment. I hope that each of us who have gone on and gotten new jobs will do our best to reach out to those who will need one if we know of options.

    ReplyDelete
  83. 9:59 I don't think the blogger is irrational. he/she seemed to getting a lot of support in his/her comments. Why take it personal. Are you with Howrey? Go back and read.

    ReplyDelete
  84. @10:13 Get a grip. By the time her favorites were laid off, it was out of her hands. The Firm was going broke and belly-up anyway. Besides, Howrey needed to make payroll. You are calling it a Protected List--what the hell? All S is P. All employes have family issues. It boiled down to favorites. Anyway, Ruyak ruined everything--the Firm and the people. I too support 11:39 after reviewing the comments.

    ReplyDelete
  85. @10:13; IT'S ME 11:39

    SINCE YOUR STORY WAS SO WARM AND GRACIOUS, KINDLY TELL ME WHO YOU ARE? WHY BE ANONYMOUS SINCE YOU SUPPORT MINELVA. IN FACT, I'M CURIOUS TO KNOW IF YOU WERE ONE OF HER FAVORITES WHO WAS EVENTUALLY LAID OFF--OH YEAH NOT BY MINELVA OF COURSE--BUT MANAGEMENT.

    I CAN'T AGREE WITH YOU MORE. WHY DID SOME SECRETARIES SURVIVE THE LAYOFFS LIKE THE ONES WHO SLEPT AND SNORED AT THEIR DESKS EVERY MORNING, THE ONES WHO PLAYED COMPUTER GAMES ALL DAY LONG AND, OH YEAH, WHAT ABOUT THE CHAIN SMOKERS WHO TOOK 20 MIN BREAKS IN THE MAIN LOBBY ENTRANCE TO CHIT CHAT EVERY HOUR ON THE HOUR. YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. WELL, MINELVA WAS AWARE OF THIS CONDUCT AND DID NOTHING--ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, BUT SHE PICKED ON CERTAIN SECRETARIES ALL THE TIME AND WE WERE THE HARD WORKERS. WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

    ReplyDelete
  86. Just catching up on the blog entries and I'm saddened by the tone here. I guess it's what comes with the shock and anger over losing your place of employment. The place where you spent a majority of your career. I wish everyone well and hope that you're all able to find gainful employment and can put this anger behind you.

    ReplyDelete
  87. So what happened to those in CapAanlysis?

    ReplyDelete
  88. CapAnalysis was an entity of Howrey and it would dissolve as well.

    ReplyDelete
  89. @9:55 3/11

    ADDITIONALLY, I NEVER SAID THERE WAS FEAR AMONG THE WHITE SECRETARIES, PARTNERS AND MINELVA. WHAT I SAID WAS THE WHITE SECRETARIES DID NOT LIKE HER MANAGEMENT STYLE BECAUSE SHE SHOWED FAVORITISM TOWARD HER PETS AND TATTLE TAILS. WHEN MINELVA'S PREDECESSOR WAS MANAGING THE SECRETARIES--BOTH BLACK AND WHITE--WE WERE ALL HER FAVORITES AND THERE WAS A HAPPY MEDIUM. WE REGRET HER STEPPING DOWN. WE ALL LOVE "DK."

    MINELVA IS TERRITORIAL LIKE AN ANIMAL IN THE JUNGLE. MINELVA LAID OFF HER SECRETARIAL COORDINATOR WHO WAS PART OF "DK'S" ADMINISTRATION AND THE STAFF WAS PUZZLED WITH THAT MOVE. THE SECRETARIAL COORDINATOR DID NOT FIT HER "PACK" SO SHE LAID HER OFF.

    ReplyDelete
  90. @9:55 3/11

    Dear white Legal Administrator. Are you threatening me by calling a black secretary crazy? Typical of an HR Manager at Howrey. You read all the words, sentences and paragraphs and you're calling me. You must be insane because you took the time to post 2 comments to my blog. FYI, I personally received great evaluations, pay raises, bonuses and monetary awards from Howrey. Therefore, she had no grounds to fire me or anyone at Howrey. Perhaps you have a particular person in mind. Stop trying to guest who I am.

    ReplyDelete
  91. White...black... You all appear to be pretty lousy at communication. Perhaps you should have been fired and not laid off. Shouldn't secretaries be able to speak and write the English language?

    ReplyDelete
  92. 12:53

    you awful terd. this is a blog page-and not a english class--and a writer can be as creative as you want with errors, typos, quotes, etc. etc. stop hating on the secretaries. they get paid well for their skills, dude/lady

    Posted by an attorney who adores his secretary

    ReplyDelete
  93. @12:53. The Blog is about the ills of Howrey and its ultimate dissolution of a failed law firm where the Managing Partner lied to the employees-partners, attorneys, paralegals and support staff pertaining to the business and financial status of Howrey. What do you have to say about the article pertaining to Howrey's downfall. The Firm went broke. I agree with 1:48, you are a terd and probably a weasle too.

    ReplyDelete
  94. 1:48

    Thank the good lord it's not an English class. If it were you would be receiving an "F" right about now.

    If you truly are an attorney I fear for your clients.

    ReplyDelete
  95. 2:00

    What's a weasle?

    I'm a former Howrey employee, well aware of the half-truths and out-right lies told to staff.

    My point is I'm not quite sure what in the hell that has to do with "black vs. white" secretaries. These people are coming here and saying they should not have been laid off, that there were other factors at play (namely race and politics). When this is expressed in a laughably ignorant way... it kind of loses all power.

    These secretaries are responsible for much of their attorney's correspondence. Forgive me for thinking the bar should be set a little higher.

    ReplyDelete
  96. @2:30

    You must be Hooked On Phonics....lol.

    ReplyDelete
  97. Wait... I think I can stop blaming Ruyak for this shitstorm. Clearly incompetent/illiterate staff caused the demise. Maybe take your last few paychecks and sign up for some basic grammar tutoring before you brush up ye ole resume.

    ReplyDelete
  98. 2:19

    You've clearly missed the point. I wasn't blaming this shit storm on the borderline illiterate staff.

    I'm merely stating perhaps their lack of skill, education, intelligence and work ethic had something to do with their not making the cut a year ago.

    ReplyDelete
  99. @2:19

    I didn't miss your point in the least.

    Reading these boards gives me some insight into the intellectual failures at all levels at (the firm formerly known as) Howrey. These boards read like McDonald's had a racially charged round of layoffs from the night shift rather than one of the nations (formerly) most respected firms in IP law. It's a shame, shame, shame.

    ReplyDelete
  100. @2:15

    Look it up ass-hole and zip up your trousers little man. In fact read this article on Race and Politics: A Color Blind America at http://www.solidarity-us.org/nord/1784. You should get some insight on race and politics in our society. Obviously, you have no life experiences and you are probably white and never have experienced racisim. That's why you made the insulting comments and found them laughable. Keep laughing little man.

    ReplyDelete
  101. Cant't we all just hug it out?

    Sh*tloads of people are losing their jobs... black, white, asian, indian, pacific islander, native american... The race issue is irrelevant. Unless incompetent management is a race, if so, sign me up for that hate group.

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  102. Well blame it on the secretaries. Hmmm. I guess it was the secretaries who made the Firm's projections for 2008 and realized in 2009 the Firm failed to meet it's projections which resulted in 35% loss income for the partners. I guess it was the secretaries who merged the failed Thelan firm and its construction group resulting in a bad joint venture for the firm. I guess it was the secretaries who leased 300,000 sq ft of office space in DC and other leases throughout the US and Europe until the year 2018 resulting in many office closings. I guess it was the secretaries who funded CapAnalysis as an independent firm where no client for the most part hired them other than Howrey, and of course, all of the Economists and staff were on Howrey's payroll. I guess it was the secretaries who claimed the firm was restructing rather than admitting they were lossing income and possibly going out of business. I guess it was the secretaries who caused long-term profitable partners to leave the firm in record numbers in time before the sinking of the Titanic. I guess it was the secretaries who contributed $1 million dollars to the Haiti Fund and in the same breath cut attorneys bonuses that year. I guess it was the secretaries voting to dissolve Howrey. I guess it's the secretaries who decided we should work until May 9 with the hopes of receiving a severance package along with our PTO, health benefits, etc. I guess it's the secretaries who informed the employees it was up to the bank (Citibank) if we would be compensated. Go ahead. Rat on the secretaries. Insult us. Blame us. Call us bad secretaries who should have been fired. No, Ruyak is not the blame as Howrey's Managing Partner since 2000 and who has not practiced law in 10 years while collecting a handsome $3 million a year income.

    Close your eyes. Repeat after me 3 times and say "There's no place like home".

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  103. 3:32

    YOU GO GIRL. ALL LEGAL SECRETARIES ROCK. "GIVE THEM HELL HARRIETTE."

    11:39

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  104. Wow!!! I'm a senior director (nonlawyer) at a major law firm and was just checking out this link because I have many friends at Howrey and I am very sad that many of them will be unemployed in the very near future. A very sad day for all of us in the legal industry. I have no idea who this Minelva person is, but I know that there are two sides to every story. I would be interested to hear her side. She could be, as has been charged here, a rotten, horrible person and an incompetent HR director. On the other hand, if she had to work with someone like "11:39" then I truly feel sorry for her.

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  105. @6:58

    DEAR SENIOR DIRECTOR (NONLAWYER). DID YOU READ THE COMMENTS MADE BY OTHER HOWREY SECRETARIES IN THIS BLOG WHO SUPPORTED MY COMMENTS. SINCE YOU CLAIM TO HAVE OH SO "MANY FRIENDS AT HOWREY", WHY DON'T YOU PICK UP THE PHONE OR SEND THEM AN EMAIL AND VERIFY WHAT I'VE WRITTEN ABOUT HER REPUTATION. BE SURE TO STAY IN YOUR SEAT--IT'S SHOCKING. HER NAME IS MINELVA MITCHELL. AT THIS JUNCTURE, THE BEST YOU CAN DO IS TRY TO GET YOUR FRIENDS AT HOWREY HIRED AT YOUR "MAJOR LAW FIRM." FEEL SORRY FOR YOUR UNEMPLOYED FRIENDS--NOT ME. MIND YOUR BUSINESS.

    THE TRUTH HURTS!

    11:39

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  106. Hey Howrey Doody, Joe Kennedy once said that he knew it was time to get out of the market when his cab driver gave him a stock tip.

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  107. 6:58 Be careful what you wish for. Your staff may not approve of you either. LOL

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  108. 11:39 - no wonder Howrey went out of business. They wouldn't even pony up the money to fix your all caps button being stuck in the "on" position on your keyboard.

    ReplyDelete
  109. 10:54 You're right, but you enjoyed reading every minute of it--didn't you? Did you skip over reading comments 1-115? There's some juicy comments there.

    11:47 You mean she's gone? Good riddance!

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  110. 11:39's original post was filled with incorrect information. While Minelva may not have worked at a law firm previously, her experience at Andersen was with attorneys. Minelva didn't arbitrarily "select" who would be laid off. The first round was based on a number of factors -- including evaluations, conversations with attorneys, workload, attendance, as well as who she was "told" to include in the list.

    Based on the way you wrote, you certainly weren't the sharpest tack in the drawer. There were many white and black secretaries who admired Minelva's management style. The only ones who ever seem to find fault are those who go through the motions of coming to work and then blame the rest of the world for their failings.

    Minelva is a class act, and I have every confidence she will land on her feet. Like so many at Howrey, she was operating in a vacuum. No one was telling her anything either. If you knew anything about her, you'd know that her management style is about transparency.

    I understand your bitterness. You probably had a tough time finding a job because you lacked the professional demeanor to interact with others. Ask yourself this, if you were such a good employee, why didn't the person/people with whom you worked take you with them when they left the firm?

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  111. @7:33 AM BY A HOWREY MANAGER, OF COURSE.

    OHH. I'M PLAYING MY MINI VIOLIN. GOBBLE GOBBLE GLOBBLE. LIE, LIE, LIE. HOWREY IS GOOD AT THAT. YOU LOVE TO JUSTIFY. SAY ANYTHING TO DISCREDIT 11:39.

    I TOLD YOU TO LEAVE ME ALONE OR I WAS GOING TO GIVE AN EXAMPLE. NOW HERE'S ONE:

    IF MINELVA IS SUCH A "CLASS ACT", THEN WHY DID SHE HAVE CONFERENCE SERVICES "SNEAK" ALL OF THE LEFT OVER FOOD FROM THE CLIENTS AND PARTNERS MEETINGS IN SHOPPING BAGS TO HER OFFICE EVERYDAY TO TAKE HOME TO HER FAMILY WHILE SHE MADE IT A RULE THAT NO EMPLOYEE AT HOWREY WAS TO GO TO THE MAIN KITCHEN TO GRAB SOMETHING TO EAT. WHY, WHY, TELL ME WHY. I WOULD NAME THE "KITCHEN CREW", BUT I DON'T WANT TO SMEAR THEIR NAMES BECAUSE THEY WERE FORCED TO STEAL AND DO FAVORS FOR MINELVA. MINELVA, THE NERVE OF YOU FEEDING YOUR FAMILY--MOTHER, FATHER AND CHILDREN--WHILE THE WHITE AND BLACK SECRETARIES STARVED.

    NOW, ANALYZE AND JUSTIFY THAT!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  112. Howrey Bloggers--If you're management, I suggest you back off 11:39 before she/he airs out more dirty laundry. Your management sytle is pretty bad considering the firm is sadly dissolving soon. Stop lashing out at one Blogger.

    ReplyDelete
  113. Wow. I hope they don't steal the food for our going away party today. Shame on you. Quite embarrassing.

    ReplyDelete
  114. I'd like to dedicate this song to the Managers of Howrey:

    Sing with me, ya'll.

    Buffalo Bob: Say kids, what time is it?
    Kids: It's Howdy Doody Time!

    It's Howdy Doody Time.
    It's Howdy Doody Time.
    Bob Smith and Howdy Do
    Say Howdy Do to you.
    Let's give a rousing cheer,
    Cause Howdy Doody's here,
    It's time to start the show,
    So kids let's go!


    For your old kids out there.
    [Hoody Doody show was telecasted on NBC in the United States from 1947 until 1960]

    ReplyDelete
  115. Not knowing anyone at Howrey, 11:39, Minelva or management, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. 11:39 you have succeeded at your intended purpose - job well done. Those attacking 11:39, you too, have made your point. Constant comments only add fuel to the fire. If you leave it alone (it's already out there in print) people will read over it as I did and move on to more meaningful non-attack conversation. Hoping and praying for the best for all of the ex-Howrey employees.

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  116. @2:03. WELL SAID. I REST MY CASE.

    SINCERELY 11:39

    SIGNING OUT.

    ReplyDelete
  117. The call-caps poster is a secretary laid off a year ago, correct?

    She should have signed out some time ago...

    Get a life, or maybe a new job? If she actually has a job that would mean she's posting these rants FROM her new job. Very productive. I wonder why she didn't make the cut in the first round of layoffs. A total mystery. Must be her race.

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  118. @7:52 AM on 3/11 - No, law firms are a bit different animal. We don't make wigets. This needed to be run like a law firm.

    Instead of run into the ground....

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  119. 10:51

    The all-caps poster is the one going on and on and on and on about race. I'm not starting anything. She owns it.

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  120. @4:12/10:17

    But, keep it quite. Otherwords, shut the hell up. You need to get a life. 11:39 and the Howrey managers have stopped posting on the issues. Consider it done. The "bout" is over. Obviously, you are bored to death and apparently posting from your job.

    10:51 pm

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  121. any updates on what "the bank" has decided to do about paying employees through May 9, PTO, etc.?

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  122. 8:33, I'm confused by your use of quotation marks. Did you mean to use brackets as a device to reference the bank but remove its name? Or are you quoting someone else? Or, are you trying to cast doubt on whether the bank actually exists? That would be the most interesting I suppose, because until now I've been under the impression that Citibank is an actual bank that lends money to people and businesses including Howrey. But, if you have something to add to that understanding, please go ahead.

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  123. @1:21 - Shut up. It is a valid question and also Citibank has never been referenced in any official communication employees have received. Every time a question about benefits, PTO and pay has been asked to anyone in charge, both before and after the dissolution the answer has been if "the bank" or "the banks" let us.

    Once again the only way people who work/worked at Howrey know any facts is from outside sources. Not the firm.

    If you have more information about what Citibank has in store for those of us still around, please share. Otherwise please shove it.

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  124. When I started at Howrey some years ago, Howrey was an employee sensitive firm. There was a level of respect that existed and it made you actually like coming to work. Over the years, I witnessed a certain practice in their hiring practices with regard to the operations and I have to tell you that at the time of Howrey's demised there were several valid lawsuits for discrimination against Howrey. The practices in the LA office for sure reeked of it. The recruiter's husband was a good ole boy and the diversity or lack of it with regard to lawyers was quite evident. Ruyak made some decisions that didn't include the best interest of the firm. We all know he wont ever see a day of unemployment benefits. I feel for some of my former colleagues, but for the most but you get what you give. Howrey and Simon built that firm with blood sweat and tears and it only took Bob five years to screw it up. Good job man!

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  125. I dealt with Ms. Mitchell several times during my eight years at Howrey. Every time I dealt with Ms. Mitchell, she handled herself with dignity, class, and a welcome sense of humor. I am very sorry that 11:39 and her supporters thought that the best way they could air their grievances was to secretly post these awful, ad hominem, and racist attacks. Please know that regardless of whether you have really been wronged, these sorts of attacks can only speak to your character -- not Ms. Mitchell's.

    I hope that ALL Howrey staff find gainful employment AND some measure of happiness during these very challenging times.

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  126. @4:02

    Well, "lattie da." Blah, blah, blah. Sure you found "Ms. Mitchell" classy, etc. etc. and so on...NOT. You blind fool. Let me confirm one fact 11:39 brought out. Most--at least 95%--of the secretaries did not like her. Only a handful of goof balls like you adorned her. You were tricked. It sounds like you were one of her tattle tails and ran to her office with gossip about other secretaries. That's how you got away with coming late to work everyday with poor job performance at Howrey. I support 11:39 and I think you better leave it alone. Reveal yourself. Are you Joy Clay? Since you support her, why are you posting Anonynomous you egg head. The so called "attacks" speak to Minelva's character--a liar, thief and a great pretender. I know the truth hurts. It will come out during the "wind down" once the bank checks for all the stolen assets. By the way, she is being investigated. Tell her that smarty pants!

    Calling 11:39: Defend yourself from that 4:02 fool.

    The Terminator

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  127. @4:02

    Did read the comment by 5:05. Take note of that.

    The Terminator

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  128. 4:02 Mind your business. Did you find a job?

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  129. TO THE TERMINATOR...

    I'VE RESTED MY CASE.

    TO 4:02

    "STICKS AND STONES WILL DEFINITELY BREAK MY FREAKIN BONES, BUT YOUR WORDS OF ATTACK CAN NEVER HURT ME." THEREFORE, LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE BEFORE I COME BACK AND HAUNT YOUR ADORNED HR DIRECTOR WITH SOME MORE WACK (STORIES) . P.S. SO, I MAY HAVE TO PICK UP SOME STONES TO HIT YOU UP SIDE YOUR HEAD AND LET YOU FEEL THE PAIN WE (HOWREY SECRETARIES) ARE IN. PEACE OUT.

    SINCERELY 11:39

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  130. I (4:02) was not a secretary at Howrey -- I was an associate and senior associate by the time I left. I left a couple of years ago for a better job and am quite happy with how things turned out. I have since realized that I should have left much earlier than I did.

    Your threats of physical violence are absurd as you could not possibly do a thing with me. I will leave that nonsense there.

    For all the shameful derision you have heaped on Ms. Mitchell's character, all the flaws you claim she possesses, I cannot imagine Ms. Mitchell behaving the way you folks have behaved. Juvenile name calling -- really? ["Smarty pants?" [Uh -- thanks?]] [By the way, no adult should use a term like "wack." At least not with a straight face.]

    Judging by the character displays I have seen on this Board, Ms. Mitchell was perfectly justified in terminating you. Good luck with your apparently unjustified victimhood.

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  131. 4:02

    I just read your post. You must be a comedian portraying an attorney. I have 15 years of law firm experience and I can state that attorneys never speak freely in support of administrative managers at law firms. They care less, especially about secretarial/management relationships. Attorneys are driven by the demands of the client in meeting their billable hours of about 2,000 hours per month. I find it unusal that a "so-called senior associate" would take a position on this matter especially on a Blog. If you were at Howrey, I'm certain you were one of the associates "pushed out" or fired by the partnership for lack of billable hours and poor performance. Just an observation.

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  132. Please 4:02, leave these people alone. There must be an element of truth to their outrage about Ms. Mitchell. Besides, Howrey has dissolved and people are moving on and so should you. Please write no more!!!

    ReplyDelete
  133. Lol. 8:58 -- this is 4:02. I was not "pushed out," asked to leave, or fired. I left of my own accord. I was indeed a senior associate.

    Here's something that should not be considered novel -- I actually thought that the administrative staff and paralegals at Howrey, the folks who worked so hard to help me everyday (and at less than a quarter of my pay), fully deserved my attention and respect. And judging by what you have written, I am very glad to be "unusual." Because the typical that you indirectly describe sounds obnoxious to me -- a bunch of excuses for not being a good person and a true professional. "Observe" as you may, but that's the truth of it from where I sit.

    9:09 -- I felt someone who at least knew Ms. Mitchell should speak up. Sorry my writing bothers you, but spending a few minutes writing in defense of someone's honor -- someone who seemed to deserve it and could not speak for herself -- seems very reasonable to me. You can always just not read it, right?

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  134. Margaret Stanbach (the original poster of the diatribe), please go find a job and stop blaming your failure on other people.

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  135. @2:49 HA HA HA. I'M LAUGHING MY AZZ OFF. WRONG. YOU FOOL, YOU. STOP TRYING TO GUESS WHO I AM. YOU BETTER WATCH OUT. HAVEN'T YOU READ THE BLOG ABOUT THE CLASS ACTION CASE. OBVIOUSLY, YOU DON'T HAVE A JOB. DIDN'T MANAGEMENT LIE TO YOU AGAIN. YOU KNOW, THE WARN ACT? BE CAREFUL. BY THE WAY, I HEARD THROUGH OTHER FORMER EMPLOYEES, SHE'S WORKING. I'LL HAVE THE LAST LAUGH. I PROMISE.

    SINCERELY 11:39

    11:39

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  136. 11:39, are you now threatening people?

    This whole discussion is appalling and non-supportive. I expected more from Howrey people.

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  137. Fat girl left a few years ago. You're too funny.

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  138. 1:25 I agree. I can't believe Howrey stooped so low to name a former employee's name in the Blog especially since the person posted anonymously. I read the comments and it appears it was several Howrey employees posting on the Blog. It was probably a Howrey manager who made the recent comment.

    2:49 Howrey has dissolved. What purpose did your post serve? I hear most of the Howrey attorneys and staff have moved on. You and 11:39 should move forward as well.

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  139. God Don't Like Ugly. I'm glad the firm dissolved, especially since Ruyak and Mitchell laid off a number of Howrey staff starting in 2008 although the firm was very profitable. Greed got Howrey no where. Now you can feel what the attorneys/staff felt like losing a job. Pay back is a bitch. Ruyak and Ms. Mitchell are now without a job. You two can join the unemployment lines.

    A former CapAnalysis (Howrey affiliate) employee

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  140. Gee wiz, 4:51. You have angry issues too. You're mad at someone on the East Coast??? The pot can't talk about the kettle. All of you Howrey people need to stop posting about your co-workers. Your message is offensive and ghetto. Sounds like you forget to take your Valium. Are you 11:39? It certainly sounds like it. Enough is enough!!!!!

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  141. @4:51. I agree with 7:00. I'd like to know did you take your Prozac You are off the chain. Your rage is awful and embarassing.

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  142. I was one of the last employees who recently left Howrey when it dissolved. If it helps to clarify on who wrote all the original nasty comments about Ms. Mitchell, it's in the grapevine that Linda Beamer is the villian of such attacks according to sources. I'm hearing her reason is that she was fired or forced to leave Howrey by Ms. Mitchell. Sorry I had to mention her name on-line.

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  143. Linda was
    crazy as hell

    ReplyDelete
  144. I read these comments with a great deal of sadness. My initial interview for employment with the firm was with Hal Baker and I was hired by Ralph Savarese. Ralph and Terry Sheehy managed the firm with a steady hand and there was a sense of trust among all of us at Howrey that they did not lie to the attorneys or the staff in their communications to us. Cecilia Gomez and Mark Wegener conducted themselves with class and with the departure of Savarese in 2001, events have proven that common sense, integrity and trust also walked out the door.

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  145. Wow. Just ran across this blog. I worked about six years at Howrey & Simon in the good old days (and I do mean old - lol) when everyone - lawyers, staff, administration - worked and laughed hard as a team. In fact, the frequent high stress levels were handled with laughter. We liked and respected each other so there wasn't a whole lot of gossip or nastiness. As a result, for many years, the firm was considered by legal staff and lawyers alike to be the best law firm employer in Washington, DC. The only reason I left the firm was to move to a distant State. Of course, I realize some things do change. So sorry for all involved, especially in this struggling economy. Hopefully, by now, all have found employment and life has begun anew.

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  146. I, as well, just came across this page. I must say that I worked at Howrey for 14 years as a professional staff and support team... FIRST, excuse me my anger must take the best of me "KISS MY AZZ" to those who stole Howrey's money. For example, did not someone's family member gain employment at Howrey just to implement a new computer software that did not work but rather left the firm after receiving $20 million dollars for the failed program? This fact came directly from accounting. So its people like this that had screwed everyone over. They couldn't even TRY to keep Howrey above water. What type of CEO jerk-off does not attempt to save a company? And I don’t mean implementing a failed merger (you knew already that the merger attempt was a deploy of your thievery. The same type of jerk-off that knew we did not have 60 more days remaining. I, as well as a lot of other people, had many suggestions that could have saved the company; but no one wanted to hear what staff members had to say. So let me say it now, SCREW YOU I HOPE DEATH KNOCKS AT YOUR DOOR SOONER THAN NOT. -- Okay sorry, had to get that off my chest. Now the real me which is no longer angry (lol -- I must say that Howrey was the best place I ever worked. I loved the attorney staff. I loved the support staff. We worked hard and concentrated on the firm rather than our own personal lives. I shall miss Howrey and was proud to have been a part of a great firm. And by the way, it has taken me 1 year and 7 months to land a permanent position. I almost lost my home and car; I received multiple turn-off notices from the gas and electric company and rarely ate properly because of lack of money -- but my faith prevailed and I begin another journey. But this time around, I know what to do and will never get caught up in believing in another firm as much as I had with Howrey.

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  147. @12:08. Damn. I'd like to know who was that person who stole the money and who were they related to in the firm. Since you remained anonymous and Howrey no longer exist, name names. Get the angry out. We need to know. I worked for Howrey too so will recognize names.

    Glad you were able to find employment.

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