Top International Firm Conducts Lawyer Layoffs Due To 'Prolonged Downturn'

The firm is cutting a 'modest' number of lawyers from its team.

947451Biglaw attorneys and staff who were recently polled on layoffs within the legal profession said they expected more job cuts to be announced before year end — and as it turns out, they were correct.

Linklaters — a firm that brought in $2,350,490,000 gross revenue in 2022, putting it at No. 16 in the most recent Global 200 ranking — is slashing jobs across its three China offices. As noted by the Global Legal Post, the firm has 220 attorneys stationed in China, one of the largest legal forces among international firms that have set up shop within the country. In the wake of these layoffs, Linklaters will have closer to 190 attorneys, with ~30 people expected to lose their jobs.

The firm offered the following statement on its recent reductions:

“In response to the prolonged downturn in the China market, we have decided to make a modest reduction to the number of lawyers in our Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong offices. China continues to be an important market for Linklaters. The firm is fully committed to the China market and continues to have the strong capabilities required to service the ongoing needs of our global clients in that market.”

Best of luck to those who have been let go from Linklaters.

If your firm or organization is reducing the ranks of its lawyers or staff, whether through deferrals, open layoffs, stealth layoffs, or voluntary buyouts, please don’t hesitate to let us know. Our vast network of tipsters is part of what makes Above the Law thrive. You can email us or text us (646-820-8477). Thank you for your assistance.

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Linklaters to cut lawyers in China due to ‘prolonged downturn’ [Global Legal Post]


Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter and Threads or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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