The move will impact about eight percent of the firm’s global business services staff
International firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) is set to cut back-office staff in a move that is expected to affect around 8 percent of its global business services team, reported the Law Society Gazette.
The announcement was made in a redundancy consultation publicized on Friday. According to Reuters, the cuts would mainly hit UK- and US-based employees.
Global chief operating officer Trevor Varnes said that the firm was looking to modernize processes.
“We see embracing new ways of working, including investing in technology capabilities, as a cornerstone of our growth. This means taking next steps towards enhancing operational efficiency, leveraging digital solutions and market-leading technology to modernize our processes across a number of targeted and strategic investments and initiatives,” Varnes said in a statement published by the Gazette.
A BCLP spokesperson added in a statement published by the Gazette that affected staff were being given “enhanced redundancy packages and additional support.”
“As we look to the future, we need to ensure our operations are fit to support our growth ambitions and client focus. Our strategy is focused on building a stronger, more agile firm that can deliver long-term, sustainable value to both our clients and our people,” said BCLP chief executive Steve Baumer in a statement published by the Gazette.
In 2022, BCLP’s UK branch saw profits fall after the firm stopped operating in Russia, the Gazette reported. The average number of fee earners dropped by 19 percent that year.
Reuters reported that BCLP laid off 47 business services staff in May 2023. In March 2024, the firm cut another ~50 employees.
BCLP was launched in February 2018 with the merger of global firm Berwin Leighton Paiser and US firm Bryan Cave. Its business services team includes paralegals, administrative support staff and other mainly non-attorney positions, according to Reuters.