Each representative will consult with staff and communicate on their behalf for each practice area and major business unit. The practice groups that will each have a representative are: banking; corporate; international capital markets; litigation; tax and real estate; and private client and employee benefits.
Business services; business development and communications; central and risk management; know-how; library, central education and training; finance; human resources; and IT will each have one representative appointed to oversee the consultation, while legal PAs will have two.
A&O is required by UK law to appoint employee representatives to communicate with staff during the redundancy consultation.
The firm will cut support staff and fee earner numbers by 9%, with a further 47 partners set to depart the firm. Around 200 jobs are expected to go in the UK, roughly half of the job cuts globally.
Five partners in A&O’s London leveraged finance team were notified that they would be affected by the partnership restructuring.
Founded in 1930, Allen & Overy has approximately 5,500 staff and 31 offices worldwide. It is part of the Magic Circle of London-based law firms.