Baker McKenzie has confirmed it is likely to cut business services roles following a review, with hundreds of staff potentially affected.
The review, driven in part by the growing use of AI, could see dozens of roles axed in offices that include London and Belfast, according to RollOnFriday, which first reported the cuts. The affected departments include research, marketing and secretarial.
A Baker McKenzie spokesperson said the firm had recently undertaken a review “aimed at rethinking the ways in which we work, including through our use of AI, introducing efficiencies, and investing in those roles that best serve our clients’ needs”.
The spokesperson added: “Following the review, and consistent with many other organisations, we are proposing a series of changes to how we operate and deliver important business services. Subject to consultation processes in applicable jurisdictions, some roles will likely be phased out, while others will evolve. We have not taken decisions around these proposed changes lightly, but felt it was necessary to deliver on our long-term plans.”
The firm is by no means alone in cutting roles amid growing use of AI. Last November, Clifford Chance cut 10% of its UK business services staff – equating to around 50 roles – while Freshfields cited AI when it laid off paralegals in its legal support hub in Manchester in September.
Baker McKenzie expects the cuts will affect less than 10% of business services staff globally, according to a source with knowledge of the matter.
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