But now Eversheds’ plan to outsource much of its back office to India has been confirmed – putting 100 jobs at risk in its regional offices. It will be the firm’s 5th round of redundancies since the onset of economic misery.

The outsourcing operation, which is to include HR support services and administration, general accounting functions and billing and collections, will be managed by consulting firm Accenture.

It is yet another blow to junior and support staff but economic realities have hit home at all levels in the wake of the recession. Competition is fierce. It’s fierce for students wanting to become trainees, for trainees wanting to become associates and for associates wanting to become partners. And its fierce for firms trying to hold their position in the market.

While outsourcing may have it’s critics (us included on occasion) the simple fact is that it’s a clear route to cost savings; savings which can be passed on to clients. And that means it’s here to stay. The pain of this sort of change will mostly be borne by those at the bottom end of firms. But since when has anyone been guaranteed a job anyway.

Many wannabe lawyers are disappointed every year and outsourcing means that there will be even more who can’t find a seat on the lawyer train. But for well educated, driven individuals there are other opportunities beyond being a lawyer. For the adventurous, outsourcing itself may even present one.