Biglaw firm Ashurst is cutting staff hours.
The firm has invited staff to take up to fifteen days unpaid leave, or work a four day week.
A spokesperson for the firm said “in common with many other law firms, we have offered staff the option of taking sabbaticals or working shorter hours”.
The firm said the plan was voluntary and discretionary. Each request will be considered on a case by case basis and will depend on the individual’s situation.
The spokesperson declined to comment on whether this meant redundancies could be avoided.
Ashurst has over 800 lawyers, including over 199 partners, in twelve countries. Founded in 1822, the firm was known as Ashurst Morris Crisp until it rebranded in late 2003. Ashurst has offices in Abu Dhabi, Brussels, Dubai, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Madrid, Milan, Munich, New York, Paris, Singapore, Stockholm and Tokyo, and a liaison office in New Delhi.
