It is understood that DLA Piper is conducting a firmwide review of staffing levels. In London,five redundancies have been made in the firm’s technology, media and ­communications (TMC) group including three assistants, a legal director and an associate.

Joint global practice head Simon Levine said: “The uncertain market conditions have affected some parts of our UK group’s business. Like most businesses, we are looking closely at ways to ensure that we can better face the unfolding economic challenges.”

ASB Law has begun a redundancy consultation with 45 staff, including seven fee-earners, after consolidating its Brighton and Horsham offices with its Crawley and Maidstone bases. So far the planned office closures have resulted in three resignations and 11 voluntary redundancies, with another 31 facing compulsory redundancy.

Meanwhile, the carnage at ­Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft, which saw the loss of 96 associate jobs last week is now expected to lead to a number of partner departures.

On top of these redndancies, Trainee retention rates at a number of leading firms have plummeted as worsening economic conditions begin to hit the employment market.

DLA Piper, Linklaters, Lovells and McGrigors have all seen significant decreases in trainee retention, with Bevan Brittan coming in ­second from bottom of the list after retaining just nine trainees out of 16 this year.

The clouds roll in…

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