The unthinkable has happened here as well, Mustang. The "Magic Circle" i.e. elite law firms in terms of size, diverse practice and international partnerships, have made redundant many partners, fee earners and staff. Fixed-salaried fee earners in some firms have taken cut-backs in take-home pay to avoid redundancies. Medium-sized and old firms are much better off except where commercial practices are concerned because those areas are slow at the moment but, there is enough work to go around and their legal fees and admin costs are lower. Everyone's forced to be frugal. I am with a firm that was established in the 1800's so, like many old firms, it pretty much knows how to ride the waves without making people redundant. It has been through a few, needless to say.