A&O sued by redundant associates
14 August 2009
Allen & Overy is facing legal action from two of its former associates who claim they lost their jobs unfairly.

The two banking lawyers in the firm's Frankfurt office have taken action in the local Labour Court in an attempt to get their jobs back. They claim that after the firm made them redundant in May, it hired new people to take over their roles -  which is strictly prohibited by German employment law.

Some strict Germans yesterday

As well as the associates, RollOnFriday has also been told that several back office staff are taking action against the firm, citing the same reasons. If the courts agree with their allegations, A&O could find itself forced to rehire them.

A spokesman said the firm was aware of a case brought by associates in Frankfurt but not of any brought by support staff.
 
The news follows last week's revelation that Linklaters is facing a similar action from at least one associate. Other law firms that have continued to recruit after embarked on large scale redundancy programmes may well face similar claims.