Law firm Goodwin Procter announced it will be shutting down its San Diego office at the end of its fiscal year.

With its closure on Sept. 30, the firm will also let go four partners, six nonpartner lawyers and 12 staff members. Its current staff includes six partners, 12 associates and 16 staff members.

“When we opened the office in March 2007, we envisioned that the San Diego office would be a significant source of corporate transactional work, particularly in the life sciences and biotech areas,” Chairman Regina M. Pisa and Managing Partner Robert S. Insolia said in a memo. “While this was the case initially, and while these practices have continued to grow nationally at the firm, we haven't been able to realize our initial vision.”

Goodwin Procter is the second firm this week to announce mass layoffs. Weil, Gotshal & Manges said on Monday it would cut 60 associate lawyers (about 7 percent of all associates) and 110 staff employees from the 1,200 lawyer firm.

In its memo, the Goodwin Procter said it would be focusing on its life sciences and biotechnology practices in its three other California offices.

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