McDermott Will & Schulte Cuts 15 NY Associates After July Merger
McDermott Will & Schulte has laid off 15 associates in its New York office after the July 2025 merger.
Why it matters: The layoffs spotlight hard integration choices for law firm leaders: even a top Am Law 100 debut can’t guarantee job security. Firms navigating large mergers must balance staffing needs, client demands, and internal culture—at significant human and business costs.
- McDermott Will & Emery merged with Schulte Roth & Zabel in July 2025 to form McDermott Will & Schulte.
- Fifteen associates in the New York office, primarily from Schulte Roth & Zabel, were laid off post-merger.
- Leadership cited 'shifting client needs and practice demands' as reasoning, according to an official statement.
- The new firm entered the Am Law 100 at number 16, but immediate cost alignment followed.
The combination of McDermott Will & Emery and Schulte Roth & Zabel in July 2025 created McDermott Will & Schulte—a firm that debuted at #16 on the Am Law 100 rankings. Yet, weeks after its high-profile formation, firm leaders confirmed layoffs of 15 associates in its New York office, as reported by Above the Law and the New York Law Journal.
- The majority of those laid off were associates originally hired by Schulte Roth & Zabel, a detail corroborated by firm insiders and industry press. The staff reductions affected practices ranging from private funds to litigation.
- The firm's official statement attributed the job cuts to 'aligning with shifting client needs and practice demands,' declining to specify business unit targets.
While law firm mergers promise expanded client offerings and national reach, integration often requires rapid operational adjustments. Leadership teams typically review client demand and seek to avoid duplicative roles, which can lead to targeted layoffs during the transition.
According to legal industry analysts, the layoffs illustrate the ongoing adjustments large combined firms must make to remain competitive post-merger. In a robust but evolving legal market, even successful high-ranking firms are not immune.
For more, see Above the Law and the New York Law Journal.
By the numbers:
- 15 associates — jobs lost in McDermott Will & Schulte’s NY office post-merger
- #16 — McDermott Will & Schulte’s debut on 2025 Am Law 100 rankings
Yes, but: The firm did not announce layoffs in other offices, indicating the cuts were not firmwide.
What's next: Leadership suggested further staffing reviews are ongoing but no additional layoffs have been announced.