Paying attorneys not to practice law

In a move to lower expenses, some law firms are paying their associates not to work!  Sounds like they are following the business model of the U.S. government which pays farmers not to farm.

Here are some details from Susan Dominus, $80,000 for a Year Off? She’ll Take It!, NY Times, April 12, 2009:

Only in a financial world turned upside down would an arrangement like this one make sense. Looking to cut costs like everyone else, but not prepared to lay off associates, Skadden has chosen instead to offer all of its associates — about 1,300 worldwide — the option of accepting a third of their base pay to not show up for work for a year. (So far, the partners have no equivalent arrangement.) * * *

As of Friday, about 125 associates had expressed interest. “I think it’s fair to say that the numbers are in excess of our expectations,” Mr. Mallow said.

Special thanks to Patrick S. Sylvester (Attorney & Counselor at Law, Sylvester Law Firm, PC) for bringing this article to my attention.