Cobbetts to cut 40 fee earners

LAW firm Cobbetts is to make up to 40 fee earners redundant.

The firm is in talks with staff at its offices in Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham but said the practice areas affected are currently under consultation, however, like other firms such as Halliwells and Eversheds, it has seen a fall in work from the construction and property sectors.

Cobbetts employs 740 staff at its three regional offices and another in London.

Cobbetts managing partner, Michael Shaw said: “Following a further deterioration in the market and the resulting impact on commercial law firms, we have taken the

difficult decision to enter into a consultation period with a number of staff. We have spent the last few months reviewing our services in detail and it is essential that we respond to changing market conditions and restructure our business accordingly.

“Although numbers have not yet been confirmed, it is likely that around 40 fee-earning positions will be made redundant across the firm.

“This process started today and at the end of it we will have a clear picture of how the firm will be structured and resourced for the year ahead.

“While this has been a very difficult decision for the firm, it is an essential move in response to our changing economy. Flexibility is key for those firms intending to preserve their business in the coming months, until we begin to see economic recovery.”