DLA Piper is restructuring its Asia offices in a move which will see 20 of its Asia-based lawyers made redundant by the end of March.
The firm announced that 54 staff members – 20 fee earners and 34 support staff – across its Asia businesses will be cut. Most of the losses are believed to affect the Hong Kong office, in the aftermath of several partner departures. Managing partner Alastair Da Costa described the cuts as “strategically and commercially responsible”.
A leaked memo allegedly provided an outline of the firm’s culling strategy detailing criteria including strength in maintaining client relationships, initiative shown in external practices and the amount of leave take will be used when selcecting staff for layoffs.
Staff unhappy with miserly payouts
Support staff at DLA Piper are reportedly less than impressed at the severance packages on offer.
Those who take voluntary redundancies will be paid out for their contractual notice period, one month’s salary and only the statutory minimum compensation. This pales in comparison with the packages being offered by international rivals Clifford Chance, Linklaters and Allen & Overy.