Yoss Restructuring Complete!

Wow, I don't think anyone saw this coming:

In an e-mail sent to employees Friday, managing partner George Yoss notified employees that the firm would be winding down its legal practice and laying off all employees by the end of the month.

“As we are sure you are aware, these have been extremely difficult times for the firm,” stated Yoss in the e-mail. “After meeting with the bank and evaluating the firm’s status and financial position the decision was made to wind down its operation.”

Thanks to a tipster, we have managed to obtain an early draft of the email:

Oh f*&k.  F*&k f*&k f*&. F*&k a duck! Why maintain the ruse any longer?  We're f*&ked.  So f*&k you all and the horses you rode in on.  You think this s*&t's easy?  You try it.  Thank you to our loyal clients who stuck with us through the good times and bad.  That's f*&king sarcasm you dimwits.  Now good luck finding a job in this economy.  Did I mention we're f*&ked?

Yoss out.

Ok, those are pretty strong words, and I apologize for the vulgarities.

I suppose that's why you should never send an email when you're upset or angry.

Actually, here's the final real version they decided to go with:

As we are sure you are aware, these have been extremely difficult times for the firm. Over the past few months we have been dealing with many issues that have had a negative impact on the firm's ability to continue. After meeting with the Bank and evaluating the firm's status and financial position the decision was made to wind down its operations.

Accordingly we are giving to each of our employees the following notice:

It is anticipated that the firm will continue to provide legal services to its clients and will continue to conduct its regular business through March 31, 2011. Effective March 31, 2011, the firm will permanently close most of its facilities and will cease to provide legal services and will begin winding down operations. We hope to accomplish this with the least possible disruption to the lives of our employees, our clients and the community.

With the exception of several employees needed for the wind down period all employees of the firm will be laid off between now and March 31, 2011.

I don't know, the first draft has a kind of raw honesty you don't see much in law firm communications nowadays.....

Yossers, feel free to share your views in comments, our thoughts and prayers are with you and we wish you good luck in finding alternative employment.

Correction: WPB Yoss Office Not "Closed" But Partners and Rent Not Paid -- Much Better!

So was there or was there not a "restructuring" at the WPB Adorno Yoss?

Managing partner George Yoss says yes, but what the hail does he know:

John Koenig, the former Yoss partner in charge in West Palm Beach, said he left Tuesday with associate Mandell Sundarsingh to start the Boynton Beach firm Koenig & Dinkin with lawyer Mitch Dinkin. The new firm specializes in collections, commercial litigation and creditors' rights.

"I left because I was not getting paid," Koenig said. "We were not receiving paychecks for awhile."
He also said the Coral Gables-based firm had not paid rent at the office for three months.

Actually, when you're not paying your partners and the office has not paid its rent in three months, I consider that a "restructuring."

Or a "consolidation," or the "implementation of a strategic plan," or "focusing on your core capabilities," or "redeploying firm assets in a more efficient manner," or.......