Quartet of corporate partners quit Mayer Brown

The firm’s latest redundancy consultation affects a number of different practice areas.

A Mayer Brown statement said: “We continue to look carefully at our business to ensure that we have as strong a platform as  possible on which to build.

“We’ve concluded that a small reduction in headcount is necessary, which may result in up to eight fee earners from across the London office leaving the firm.

“All those potentially impacted by this decision have been notified and will be provided with support and assistance at this difficult time.”

The latest consultation is the third round of redundancies to affect the firm’s London office. In November last year The Lawyer reported that Mayer Brown launched a consultation affecting up to 11 associates (21 November 2008).

In March this year the firm shed  23 associates and 32 support staff in the City.

Despite the cuts Mayer Brown has been expanding its European business in recent months. Last month it announced its merger with Paris-based litigation boutique Ayela Semerdjian & Associes, adding seven lawyers to its dispute resolution department (26 November 2009).

In London Mayer Brown bolstered it finance practice during the summer by hiring leveraged finance partners Lee Cullinane and Nicola Marley from Clifford Chance and Linklaters respectively and asset based lending partner Graham Wedlake from Taylor Wessing (13 July 2009)