Deacons Comments on ‘Striking the Right Balance’ in Law Firm Redundancies

In a display that beggars belief, Deacons partner Daniel Cross has commented on how to ‘strike the right balance‘ in a redundancy and how to create ‘successful redundancy programs‘ mere weeks after Deacons sacked many of its own workers.  The comments, appearing in today’s Australian Financial Review, have generated a deluge of embittered responses.  This from the firm that:

• sacked 9 of its 17 Melbourne office Articled Clerks in January this year, informing them that the firm would not be offering them permanent positions at the conclusion of their articles year
• ignored pleas to retain its ACs until their admission date
• informed the redundant ACs that they would also have to pay for the costs of their own admission
• has also taken the curious step of locking the stationary closet, allegedly ‘to cut costs’ as part of its response to the GFC.

Among the more measured responses we received from Deacons staff and elsewhere was this comment:

‘it is understandable that Deacons would seek to capitalise on increases in employment law work like advising on redundancies, but to spruik its wares now, as many sacked junior lawyers starve and worry about their future as a consequence of this mishandled redundancy, is objectionable on any view.’

Lunacy, outrage or just good management?  Share your views with fellow Firm Spies below.