The UK legal industry was hit with a fresh wave of job losses today with confirmation that Mayer Brown is looking to cut 11 lawyers and Field Fisher Waterhouse has entered redundancy talks with over half of its support staff.

Mayer Brown said in a statement that it had “advised 11 lawyers that they were at risk of redundancy” but declined to comment on whether this included partners or which departments would be affected.

News of cuts in London comes after the firm axed 33 lawyers in the US earlier this year. Mayer Brown said it was also in redundancy talks with administrative and support staff but declined to say how many would be affected.

Non-legal staff are facing the full brunt of cuts at Field Fisher Waterhouse (FFW) which said it is in talks with 175 of its 300 secretarial and support workers with the expectation of around 40 job losses.

Moira Gilmour, FFW senior partner, said: “This action is very much regretted, however we are moving into difficult economic times and must take some tough decisions. With the outlook for the next two years uncertain the firm must exercise prudent financial management. Unfortunately, looking at staffing levels is part of that process.”

No FFW legal positions are at risk in the current talks. In August the firm cut five lawyers and six support staff from its property department.

Law firms have already announced plans to shed around 900 jobs in the UK as they struggle with a slower economy. Other firms to have announced plans to reduce staff numbers include Nabarro, Taylor Wessing and Eversheds.

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