For Big Law, Is COVID-19 The Great Recession All Over Again?

Keith Wetmore, former chairman at Morrison & Foerster, and Bill Brandt, who has helped handle workouts and restructurings for nearly 40 law firms, had big roles during the 2008 recession. Here's their perspective on the major challenges law firms are facing now.

March 27, 2020 at 05:14 PM

1 minute read

By Leigh Jones
Deputy editor-in-chief, Law.com

By Vanessa Blum
VP, Innovation

The original version of this story was published on Law.com

For lawyers who lived through the 2008 recession, the economic upheaval from the coronavirus feels all too familiar.

In today's episode, you'll hear from Bill Brandt, founder of DSI Civic, a financial restructuring firm. Brandt, who for 35 years has helped handle workouts, turnarounds and restructurings for nearly 40 law firms, speaks with Law.com business of law editor Lizzy McLellan about the comparisons and contrasts between the Great Recession and the current situation for law firms. Next, Gina Passarella, editor-in-chief of Law.com affiliate The American Lawyer, talks to Keith Wetmore, who was chairman at Morrison & Foerster from 2000 to 2012 and guided his firm through some rocky years. Wetmore is now managing director at Major, Lindsey & Africa, a legal recruiting firm.

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