White & Case tight-lipped over partner consultation

The US firm announced it would be shedding 15 to 20 per cent of its global partnership as well as 200 associates and 200 from its support staff workforce last month (10 March).

Despite partners expecting to hear about the partners cuts this month, sources told The Lawyer that management had not provided details of how the selection will be made or when partners will learn their fate.

A source close to the firm said: “There hasn’t been much information provided at all. While the firm is adhering to a strict consultation process to undertake associate cuts, the partner cuts are not clear at all.”

Associates are currently being assessed as part of the staff reduction.

It is thought that White & Case is using the annual partner compensation review to assess partners and make the cuts, which is expected to be finalised by the end of April.

A source said: “It makes sense that the firm would use this process, which takes place in April every year. Exactly how they are assessing everyone is still not clear.”

The firm is making the layoffs after shedding 70 associates and 90 support staff last year (17 November 2008).

White & Case recently overhauled its entire management structure, putting in place regional and practice group heads across the network.