Morrison & Foerster cuts staff, citing trends accelerated by COVID-19 pandemic
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Morrison & Foerster is cutting 4% of its staff positions in the United States and is in the process of eliminating a handful of staff jobs in the United Kingdom.
Above the Law broke the news. In all, 38 employees will be laid off in the two countries.
In a statement provided to the ABA Journal, the law firm said the layoffs were due to trends accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic has affected the way we work as a firm, and how we deliver for our clients and attorneys,” the statement said. “This has accelerated trends, particularly in how we support our practices and staff our physical offices.”
The statement said the firm regularly updates its staffing model in light of technology advances, demand for services and business needs.
“It became obvious that the fundamental changes we have experienced over the past year will outlast the pandemic, and that we needed to adapt, investing in those roles that best serve our clients’ emerging needs,” the law firm said.
Staff members were informed of the decision Friday. The redundancy process for affected employees in the United Kingdom is ongoing.
The laid-off staff members will be eligible for severance pay, outplacement services and, in the United States, health care benefits.
“We have not taken this painful decision lightly, but felt it was necessary to address the evolving nature of our work, and to position the firm for continued strength and success,” the statement said. “We deeply appreciate the dedicated and valuable contributions these individuals have made to the firm.”
