Bevan Brittan and Beachcroft this week became the latest major law firms to announce redundancy programmes, with fee earners and support staff in the firing line.
Bevan Brittan is set to make up to 40 redundancies across its three
Meanwhile, Beachcroft is set to close its international practice group (IPG) as part of an overhaul of its international strategy, putting one partner and five lawyers in the firm’s
Bevan Brittan’s consultation was prompted by a strategic review that was started by the firm’s board in September and means its offices in Bristol, Birmingham and London are likely to lose 25, five and 10 staff respectively.
Six fee earners, 27 support staff and seven secretarial roles are under scrutiny after the review found that while the firm’s core business of health, local government and housing in the public and private sectors remains strong, practice areas such as commercial are underperforming.
Bevan Brittan chief executive Stuart Whitfield (pictured) said: “Announcing a redundancy programme is not an easy option but the board’s review made clear the need to refocus on our core markets.”
Beachcroft also launched its two-week consultation with affected staff earlier this week (12 May). It wants to strengthen its relationships with local firms in foreign jurisdictions rather than continue trying to offer international advice from within the
Commenting on the Bevan Brittan redundancies, one senior partner at a national rival said: “It is not surprising this has happened. They have a very strong public sector practice with great expertise but I do not think they have ever been able to shake off being perceived as a public sector-oriented firm.”
News of both consultations comes after Halliwells in February announced a redundancy programme affecting its
Commenting on the trend, Chris Godfrey, head of corporate at Burges Salmon, said: “We will see more of this I suspect, as firms that have expanded, perhaps over-ambitiously, feel the pinch.”