Mayer Brown has cut 45 lawyers and 90 support across its US offices.
James Holzhauer
The US firm has made the cuts as a result of a review of its global operations.
In a statement released by the firm chairman Jim Holzhauer said: “These changes were necessitated by the severe and prolonged downturn in the global economy, resulting in reduced business activity by our clients.”
Earlier this year The Lawyer reported that Mayer Brown had launched a second redundancy consultation in the UK with the aim of shedding 22 fee-earning jobs and 23 business support staff (20 March).
Similarly, the latest cuts in the US are part of a second round of job cuts. The firm laid off 33 US lawyers in November last year.
Holzhauer said: “We had hoped to avoid more job losses and toward that end have made significant reductions in our operating expenses not related to personnel.”
Mayer Brown has postponed the start date for US first year associates from January 2009 until 2010 as well as implementing flexible working programmes and seeking placement opportunities for lawyers in pro bono organisations and corporates.
