Jobs at risk as law firm to halve Leeds office

TOP 50 law firm BLM has launched a consultation that could see 21 jobs made redundant at its Leeds office.

Office headcount would shrink to 19 from 40 staff, and the redundancies include lawyers and support staff. They will be offered to opportunity to apply for positions in other offices.

The company told Legal Week that it will be taking on smaller offices as a result.

BLM, which specialises in insurance and dispute resolution, saw revenues increase from £104m to £107m last year, however profits per equity partner dropped 28%.

BLM senior partner Mike Brown said: “Earlier this year we embarked on a programme of business improvement, including a strategic review of our current workplaces.

“This has culminated in a proposal to align our Leeds operation with this strategic review, creating a paperlite, lean office, modernising the way we work.

“Regrettably, if this proposal goes ahead, the decision will have an impact upon our current team in Leeds and we are working closely with those affected within that office.”