Lawyer Layoffs at Microsoft

Kara Swisher got her hands on a copy of Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer’s hard-times memo to all Microsofties.  In relevant part:

As part of the process of adjustments, we will eliminate up to 5,000 positions in R&D, marketing, sales, finance, LCA, HR, and IT over the next 18 months, of which 1,400 will occur today. We’ll also open new positions to support key investment areas during this same period of time. Our net headcount in these functions will decline by 2,000 to 3,000 over the next 18 months.

Emphasis added.  LCA is Microspeak for Legal & Corporate Affairs.  It includes lawyers, paralegals & support staff, government & community affairs and “legal business professionals.”  Microsoft has lawyers sitting in 20 countries, but most are in Redmond, WA.

We’re looking for solid numbers.

Trivia! (Although most readers probably already know this one).  The “Gates” in K&L Gates is for William H. Gates, Sr., father of recently retired Microsoft co-founder Bill.

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4. Microsoft – Yahoo. Billions but Boring
5. This Week in Layoffs – 7/17/09