From today’s American Statesman: Baker Botts lays off more lawyers in second round of cuts this year Baker Botts LLP, one of Texas’ biggest law firms, laid off lawyers this week, the second time it has done so this year. Mike Cinelli, a spokesman for the Houston-based firm, said Thursday that the lawyers were let go for economic reasons. There is nothing surprising about this. It’s not just the economy. It’s the shrinking demand for traditional legal services. Clients don’t trust the fee scale for billable hours. Mediation and arbitration are faster and less costly ways of settling disputes. There was zero need for Texas to produce more lawyers. It’s just money down the drain.