Baker McKenzie to cut back office jobs, cites AI

Baker McKenzie has confirmed that it is proposing changes to how its global business services functions operate following a review of its ways of working, including the use of AI and efficiency measures.

The proposed cuts were first reported by RollOnFriday.‍

What the firm said

A Baker McKenzie spokesperson said: “To position the Firm for continued growth and remain agile in a fast-evolving business context, we recently undertook a careful review of our business professional functions. This review was aimed at rethinking the ways in which we work, including through our use of AI, introducing efficiencies, and investing in those roles that best serve our clients' needs.

“Following the review, and consistent with many other organisations, we are proposing a series of changes to how we operate and deliver important business services. Subject to consultation processes in applicable jurisdictions, some roles will likely be phased out, while others will evolve. We have not taken decisions around these proposed changes lightly, but felt it was necessary to deliver on our long-term plans.”

Scale of the impact

The firm employs around 12,500 people globally, with business services professionals understood to make up roughly half of that total. It is expected that fewer than 10% of those roles will be affected.

A wider pattern

Baker McKenzie is not the only firm reassessing its back office.

Late last year, Clifford Chance announced its plan to cut around 10% of its London business services staff, around 50 roles, as well as changing the scope of 35 roles. The firm has also invested in lower cost hubs, opening an operations centre in Poland in 2024 and maintaining a support hub in Newcastle.

DWF and BCLP also cut business services staff last year citing tech adoption as one the drivers, while Freshfields cut paralegal roles in its Manchester hub.