Layoffs may not be extensive yet. But with several financial indicators continuing to trend downward, personnel cuts will likely remain Big Law's biggest focus through the end of the year, according to a new report.

"Firms are reluctant to shed recently recruited lawyers, but reliance on natural attrition and repurposing associates has not provided satisfactory results; thus, we've begun to hear of more demanding performance reviews to manage utilization," wrote Wells Fargo Legal Specialty Group in its nine-month survey report, published this week.