DJ Freeman to lay off 30 staff

Around 30 support staff are to be made redundant following City firm DJ Freeman's split after plans for the move were finalised last week.

However, most of its lawyers have made alternative arrangements.

The firm announced last month that the bulk of its property and technology/media practices were moving to Olswang, leaving the firm - renamed Kendall Freeman - to specialise in insurance, litigation and corporate work (see [2003] Gazette, 20 March, 8).

A staff consultation exercise led to five extra support posts being retained than originally planned.

Of the current DJ Freeman partners, 21 are staying at Kendall Freeman, 13 are joining Olswang, seven are or already have joined other firms - including a four-partner property litigation team joining City firm DLA.

The construction team is staying at Kendall Freeman.

Another partner is retiring, one taking time before deciding what to do and two are currently in discussions with other organisations.

Only four assistants are still searching for new positions.

The firm's seven trainees in the affected areas have been transferred to other firms.

DJ Freeman chief executive Laurence Harris said: 'All the partners are pleased that on the fee-earning side of our business, we have been able to complete matters with so few individuals not having found new roles.

We are disappointed that our plans have resulted in a number of redundancies in the support areas of the business.

We are working hard, including using outplacement counselling, to help people as much as we can.'