White & Case consultation ends with 95 UK job losses

White & Case has come to the end of its UK redundancy consultation with 95 fee earners and business support staff losing their jobs after a three-month consultation.

The figure is at the top end of the firm's March announcement that between 80 and 95 jobs were under threat in London. The cuts were part of a wider global redundancy programme, affecting 400 jobs globally.

In London around 55% of the cuts affect fee earners, equating to around 52 lawyers. The firm would not provide a precise breakdown but it is understood that all practice areas have been affected - with the transactional teams most heavily hit as a result of the downturn. The firm would also not confirm the proportion of voluntary redundancies included in the figure.

In a statement White & Case said: "The decision to reduce the number of employees was not one the firm took lightly. However, we believe it was a necessary measure to respond to the current economic environment and reduced client demand for our services. In implementing these redundancies, the firm was mindful of the need to position itself strongly for the future."

Confirmation of the final redundancy numbers comes as the firm's restructuring of its partnership is ongoing. It is thought more than 10% of the City's partnership will leave - equating to about nine partners.

White & Case on the Legal Week Wiki