Dundas & Wilson has confirmed that 28 members of staff will lose their jobs as the firm's redundancy consultation reaches its end. However the firm's Chairman has helpfully confirmed that the affected staff won't actually be shot.
It's been a rough month for the Scottish firm. Only a couple of weeks ago Managing Partner Donald Shaw stepped back from his management duties and returned to fee earning. Perhaps no surprise after the failed merger with Bircham Dyson Bell, as well as rumours of fistfuls of partners planning to leave the firm. And now 28 employees are to be canned across the firm's Edinburgh, Glasgow and London offices and across a range of practice areas.
As usual, partners are not affected by the cuts, and will continue to survive the downturn on their £325,000 each. It was left to Dundas' Chairman David Hardie - who had previously "welcomed" Shaw's decision to step down - to explain the redundancies. In a PR masterstroke, he told The Herald that "It is not that we have taken out 30 people and shot them". That's generous.
The firm refused to confirm the split between lawyers and support staff affected. In an official, non-execution based statement, a spokesman for the firm said "the firm has conducted a review of its client teams. Following this we have concluded that it will be necessary to reshape some practice areas, leading to the loss of up to 28 positions across the firm’s UK offices".
Tip Off ROF
It's been a rough month for the Scottish firm. Only a couple of weeks ago Managing Partner Donald Shaw stepped back from his management duties and returned to fee earning. Perhaps no surprise after the failed merger with Bircham Dyson Bell, as well as rumours of fistfuls of partners planning to leave the firm. And now 28 employees are to be canned across the firm's Edinburgh, Glasgow and London offices and across a range of practice areas.
As usual, partners are not affected by the cuts, and will continue to survive the downturn on their £325,000 each. It was left to Dundas' Chairman David Hardie - who had previously "welcomed" Shaw's decision to step down - to explain the redundancies. In a PR masterstroke, he told The Herald that "It is not that we have taken out 30 people and shot them". That's generous.
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Humane redundancies, Dundas style |
The firm refused to confirm the split between lawyers and support staff affected. In an official, non-execution based statement, a spokesman for the firm said "the firm has conducted a review of its client teams. Following this we have concluded that it will be necessary to reshape some practice areas, leading to the loss of up to 28 positions across the firm’s UK offices".
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It's sad to see a former leading firm fall so far so quick.
Advice for those that remain? ABANDON SHIP!
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http://www.thelawyer.com/dundas-and-wilson-concludes-redundancy-talks-with-up-to-30-jobs-axed/1012071.article
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The firm does not value their staff, the majority of whom work exceptionally hard for very little recognition or reward. The firm is not a happy place to be and I wouldn't be surprised if and when the market opens up, there is an exodus of staff. However, it strikes me that the attitude of many senior people at the firm is one of arrogance and relying on the firm's reputation which for the moment, still remains relatively intact. However, as previously pointed out, failed mergers, emergency office openings, MP 'resignations' and redundancies (which they absolutely WERE regardless of how David wishes to term them) demonstrate that the place is a sinking ship.
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However it remains to be seen how it will weather the storm. I agree with the last comment and say to D&W employees hang in there. Hopefully things will get better
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