Nationwide layoff watch, patton boggs blows folks out the door. Law firm layoffs are back. This is not complete shock, since we heard predictions of them in January, including predictions of partner layoffs. Many of these layoffs are stealth layoffs so some firms might argue that they?re not even layoffs, just performance-based dismissals made in the ordinary course of business. It?s hard for us to report on these unless we receive enough tips.