Biglaw

Ten Percent Of Equity Partnership Being Cut At A&O Shearman

Plus, they're shuttering the Johannesburg office and consulting business.

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Cutting the Staff Large scissors cutting employees in half.The newly merged A&O Shearman is experiencing some growing pains. Today the firm announced that between now and April 2025, 10 percent of its equity partnership will be axed. According to sources, the partners impacted have already been notified.

But those aren’t the only cuts they’re making — the firm’s Johannesburg, South Africa office, which opened in 2014, will be shuttered by the end of the year and the 32 attorneys and ~48 staff in the office will be out of a job. Also closing in 2024 is the firm’s consulting business, which will impact approximately another 40 employees.

As reported by Law.com, the firm’s managing partner Hervé Ekué, said: “As one would expect from a newly merged business, we are actively engaged in post-merger integration. We already see the benefit of synergies and additional opportunities to assist our clients on high-profile international matters, which underpinned the rationale for the merger. We are focused on unleashing the full potential of A&O Shearman to strengthen our value proposition and better serve our clients.”

He continued, “We never take decisions like this lightly, particularly when they affect our people. We are very grateful to the partners who will be leaving the firm, as well as to our teams in Johannesburg and consulting for their contributions over the years. This is a difficult but necessary step forward. We are confident in the opportunities that lie ahead as we continue to achieve exceptional outcomes for clients and solidify our position as a new industry leader.”

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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Kathryn Rubino HeadshotKathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @[email protected].

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