Allen & Overy's office in Moscow has been hit by a huge number of departures. Sources tell RollOnFriday that almost a third of its lawyers have packed their bags over the course of the past year.

A Moscow- based mole told RollOnFriday that "I am sitting here and watching one after another leave...morale is very low". Apparently four partners, five senior associates and six mid-levels associates have left or retired, and another four senior people have taken extended leave of absence.

Just another busy day in Moscow

To be fair, the firm is clearly not having any problems replacing the departees. A spokesman said that there were 62 fee-earners in the office last April, and 69 in April 2011. But a 30% attrition rate isn't good, particularly in a market where people are generally staying put. A spokesman for the firm commented "There's been some natural turnover, but we have more fee earners in our Moscow office than we did a year ago, a number of those on maternity are due to return and we continue to actively recruit in the local market."

Maybe it's just all been a bit too sedate for the Muscovites since Deirdre Dare left.