SJ Berwin keeps the faith after profit gets sliced in half

SJ Berwin managing partner Jonathan Blake said: “The firm’s been exposed dramatically to the downturn, having had a focus on M&A, private ­equity and real estate.

“We still have faith in these practice areas and believe workflows will return.”

SJ Berwin recently moved away from its traditional European focus, expanding into Asia and the Middle East.

Earlier this year (6 April) The Lawyer reported that SJ Berwin planned to launch in Dubai, relocating London-based litigation partner Tim Taylor and Paris-based Benjamin Aller to the new office.

News of the Dubai launch came just weeks after the firm launched in Hong Kong, with consultant Daniel Liew taking up the post of Asia managing ­partner.
SJ Berwin also made staff cuts in the last financial year, with 50 jobs slashed ­following a redundancy ­consultation in January.