RollonFriday, the UK legal gossip site, reports that a recruitment consultant wouldn't consider redundant lawyers who applied for jobs. 

The site reports that many lawyers have been stymied by law firms, as well, when they revealed they had been made redundant. The practice has been most widespread in American firms. 

One source told RollonFriday: "A number of recruitment consultants have told me that certain positions (usually those with silver circle and above, and US firms) are not available to those who have been made redundant". 

Another said: "As a banking / finance lawyer made redundant in December last year and still searching for full time employment, I can categorically confirm that a number of firms, all US in my experience, will only consider candidates in full time employment".

Only one recruiter confirmed "we have definitely had clients stating that they would not recruit associates who have been made redundant".