CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The recent price collapse in oil and natural gas markets has led to layoffs at one of the state’s largest and most prominent law firms.
Steptoe & Johnson, which does a significant amount of work with energy companies across the country, recently laid off some lawyers and staff at its offices in Kentucky, Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia.
Susan Brewer, the firm’s CEO and managing partner, said the layoffs were tied to a loss of business as a result of the recent price declines in the energy markets.
“Due to continued low oil prices and the negative impact on domestic oil and gas producers, we have seen a contraction in isolated areas of legal work for some of our major energy clients,” Brewer said in a statement. “Accordingly, limited layoffs were implemented in both the attorney and non-attorney ranks…