Further support staff roles could be cut at Eversheds if a documentation outsourcing scheme is implemented at the firm.
In mid-May, Eversheds launched a pilot in Cambridge with the ultimate aim of outsourcing its standard documentation processing. The firm will review the scheme in mid-July.
If management gives the scheme the go-ahead the firm could cut further support staff jobs. Outsourcing company Exigent has been selected to run the pilot.
As part of the pilot, Eversheds is trialling a new personal assistant role to give partners support in client relationship management, marketing and business development, finance and general administration.
Although Eversheds declined to comment on the number of production staff that could be affected if the scheme were implemented, a spokesperson confirmed that 10 employees in the Cambridge office were not needed for the duration of the pilot.
Last year Eversheds laid off a number of lawyers and support staff when it closed its Norwich office.
The other issues are also that these are highly skilled secretarial/PA staff losing their jobs. Firstly, there is just no comparison between Exigent and working in the office at the law firm you are employed by. You just cannot ‘outsource’ that personal understanding, and involvement. The unfortunate thing is, through possibly no fault of their own, these top UK law firms are settling for ‘second best’ because it’s cheap. The standard of work isn’t the same, the skills are certainly not the same, and whilst the timezone is conviently close to the UK, outsourcing is simply not an adequate replacement. These firms should take care as when the bubble bursts, and it will, they will be left with not only egg on their face, but a huge lack of top notch PA skills within their firm.