Biglaw Firm Announces Office Closures, Plans To Cut Ties With Lawyers, Staff
The Am Law 200 firm is closing two U.S. offices while parting ways with its U.K. subsidiary. How many employees will be affected?
Many Biglaw firms are trying to expand their office offerings in the great growth race, but at least one has recently decided to shutter three of its offices in the U.S. and abroad. Is there trouble in paradise for this Am Law 200 firm?
Armstrong Teasdale — a firm that brought in $218,100,000 gross revenue in 2023, putting it at No. 160 in the Am Law 200 — recently announced that it would be closing its Salt Lake City and Boston offices, both opened in 2020, while at the same time stepping away from its London subsidiary, opened in 2021.
Richard Engel, the firm’s managing partner, told Above the Law that both U.S. offices will operate until September 30. As noted by Reuters, 11 lawyers and 12 business professionals total across both offices (one lawyer and five business professionals in SLC and 10 lawyers and seven business professionals in Boston) will be affected by the U.S. closures. The firm made its Salt Lake City office closure announcement shortly after Dentons Durham Jones Pinegar picked off seven of Armstrong Teasdale’s remaining lawyers there.
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Concurrently, the firm told management of its U.K. subsidiary, which has lawyers in London and Dublin, that it will “cease future financial support.” As noted by the American Lawyer, 32 lawyers will be affected when the firm cuts ties with its London affiliate.
In making these moves, Engel said that Armstrong Teasdale is “redirecting our firm resources to markets and offices across our footprint that are thriving.” Engel closed his statement by wishing those affected by the changes well:
Decisions like these are part of a broader strategy to equip our team to continue to exceed our clients’ expectations in a highly competitive legal market. Still, we know they affect people who have been important parts of the Armstrong Teasdale team. We thank them for their service and wish them the best.
Engel further said that the firm will assist those affected by the closures by offering “robust outplacement services and the opportunity to apply for open roles elsewhere in the firm.”
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Best of luck to those who are being let go from Armstrong Teasdale thanks to these office closures.
If your firm or organization is reducing the ranks of its lawyers or staff, whether through deferrals, open layoffs, stealth layoffs, or voluntary buyouts, please don’t hesitate to let us know. Our vast network of tipsters is part of what makes Above the Law thrive. You can email us or text us (646-820-8477). Thank you for your assistance.
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Law firm Armstrong Teasdale to shutter Boston, Salt Lake City offices [Reuters]
Armstrong Teasdale to Sever Ties With London Office [American Lawyer]
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Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on X/Twitter and Threads or connect with her on LinkedIn.
