A&O latest firm to cut business support roles in London

A&O Shearman is reducing headcount in its London business services workforce, becoming the latest major law firm to cut back-office roles.

The firm is proposing around 20 cuts across its IT, finance and marketing teams, according to a report by Law.com.

In a widely reported statement, a spokesperson for A&O Shearman said: “Over the past two years, we have been investing significantly in our central business teams, as well as in technology and data, to deliver smarter and more consistent ways of working across a firm of our scale and ambition.

That work has created new roles and reshaped others. In some areas this has meant limited and localized headcount reductions. Where that has been necessary, we are working closely to support affected colleagues.”

Sector pressure

The move comes amid a wider round of business services restructuring across the legal sector as firms focus on costs, efficiency and technology investment.

Baker McKenzie recently launched a consultation over back-office job cuts as part of operational changes linked to AI and support function restructuring, estimated to impact close to 10% of its global business services staff.

Late last year, Clifford Chance announced its plan to cut around 10% of its London business services staff, around 50 roles.

DWF and BCLP also cut business services staff last year citing tech adoption as one the main drivers.