Following the moves of Cooley and Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, more law firms are likely to defer the start dates of their first-year associates ahead of incoming classes this fall in an effort to keep current associates busy without having to make more cuts.

Although Cooley and Gunderson had more substantial layoffs than most industry peers since last fall, current and former firm leaders and consultants say more deferrals are on the table for law firms that haven't done layoffs. Sources said the firms most likely to defer first-years are those with dormant corporate practices that are struggling to train existing associates and those that are expecting large incoming summer classes.