The three firms reportedly informed staff this week that around 850 positions will be subject to review before UK-based business services roles are allocated in the newly merged firm next year. CMS, Nabarro and Olswang currently have 269, 313 and 200 UK-based business support staff respectively, with considerable overlap of the roles and functions of those within the three teams. It is not clear how many non-fee earning business service roles will be available in the merged firm, but current figures suggest that as many as 500 jobs may be on the line.

Regrettable but inevitable

CMS’ 2014 tie-up with Scottish legacy firm Dundas & Wilson resulted in the axing of 60 non-fee earning roles. A spokesperson for the firm said at the time: ‘With any combination it is regrettably to be expected that there are some duplication of roles resulting in redundancy.’ CMS, Nabarro and Olswang have all so far declined to comment on potential redundancies stemming from the current merger plan.

Sources: The Lawyer; Legal Week