Bevan Brittan in second round of redundancy talks
Related images
Bevan Brittan has launched a second redundancy consultation in a bid to stave off wider cuts at a later date.
Andrew Manning
Chief executive Andrew Manning said up to 11 per cent of positions would be affected, the equivalent of 45 employees, including 17 fee earning roles.
The corporate and real estate practices have been most adversely affected, said Manning.
“We’ve taken the difficult decision to act now to reduce costs; the longer we wait the deeper the cuts would need to be to achieve our annual targets,” he said.
Bevan Brittan reported a 35 per cent rise in average profits per equity partner at the 2008-09 year end. This came after the firm took steps to cut overheads through making 31 roles redundant in June 2008.
Manning said the previous consultation exercise was necessary “because our overheads were not appropriate for the size of the firm”. This time around, he added, “it’s because of the wider market conditions like everyone else”.
Staff across the firm’s three offices, which are in Bristol, Birmingham and London, were informed of the consultation this morning.
Last month, Bristol-headquartered Burges Salmon announced it was to cut 27 business staff and four property lawyers as part of an internal restructuring drive (31 August 2009).
Readers' comments (6)
Anonymous | 11-Sep-2009 9:34 am
"Bevan Brittan reported a 35 per cent rise in average profits per equity partner at the 2008-09 year end. This came after the firm took steps to cut overheads through making 31 roles redundant in June 2008".
That's alright then - as long as PEP hasn't been affected, everyone's a winner, aren't they...?
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
KRUSTY THE KLOWN | 11-Sep-2009 4:52 pm
Thank God I didn't listen to the Recruitment Agent: "Ooo they're such a good firm; oo they really look after their staff" Fffffff! What a crock!
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | 12-Sep-2009 6:50 am
I've said this time and again. When things become tough firms only care about themselves. When things are good, solicitors should strive to look after themselves only. Ignore all the PR rubbish about work/life balance, great training. It's all a smokescreen. I hope today's generation of lawyers will learn from it, that law firms are not the "family" they protray themselves. When things get tough - I reckon lawyers should stand up and negotiate tough terms. I see the Law Society, being our representative, as always is next to useless, though still happy to raise its fees. Lawyers of the world - unite.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Jimmy | 12-Sep-2009 9:51 pm
This is a bad thing to say. They are a good firm. Leave them alone.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Anonymous | 13-Sep-2009 8:41 am
Re the comment from 'Krusty' all I can say is if you are a qualified solicitor thank goodness they didn't recruit you. BB is a close knit office and the people in it do not need people who think it constructive to make such comments.
Redundancy within the legal sector is a sad reality for a lot of firms at the moment and at least this firm is trying to carry out a difficult process with as much compasssion as possible.
And no.. I'm not a partner nor am I on commission. All I would say is that your recruitment agent got it right and you sadly got it wrong
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
John Davies | 18-May-2010 8:18 pm
Blimey you lawyers are sounding more like Bob Crow everyday it wil trade unions next. You will accused of holding the country to ransome,blackmailing the nature, Spanish Practices - welcome aboard - see you on the picket line.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment