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Dundas & Wilson confirms 28 redundancies, but staff won't be shot.
05 April 2012
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Dundas & Wilson has confirmed that 28 members of staff will lose their jobs as the firm's redundancy consultation reaches its end. However the firm's Chairman has helpfully confirmed that the affected staff won't actually be shot.

It's been a rough month for the Scottish firm. Only a couple of weeks ago Managing Partner Donald Shaw stepped back from his management duties and returned to fee earning. Perhaps no surprise after the failed merger with Bircham Dyson Bell, as well as rumours of fistfuls of partners planning to leave the firm. And now 28 employees are to be canned across the firm's Edinburgh, Glasgow and London offices and across a range of practice areas.

As usual, partners are not affected by the cuts, and will continue to survive the downturn on their £325,000 each. It was left to Dundas' Chairman David Hardie - who had previously "welcomed" Shaw's decision to step down - to explain the redundancies. In a PR masterstroke, he told The Herald that "It is not that we have taken out 30 people and shot them". That's generous.


 		   Humane redundancies, Dundas style
 
The firm refused to confirm the split between lawyers and support staff affected. In an official, non-execution based statement, a spokesman for the firm said "the firm has conducted a review of its client teams. Following this we have concluded that it will be necessary to reshape some practice areas, leading to the loss of up to 28 positions across the firm’s UK offices".
 

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anonymous user
05/04/2012 09:55
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Wow. David Hardie being nice and respectful to all those that lost their jobs. Given the recent goings on at D&W towers (failed mergers, emergency office openings in Aberdeen and MP resignations) I think 28 people have just had a well timed escape.

It's sad to see a former leading firm fall so far so quick.

Advice for those that remain? ABANDON SHIP!
anonymous user
05/04/2012 10:03
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I notice that in the article referenced at the Herald there is mention of "individual discussions" with "individual outcomes" - funny that all of them were redundancy...
anonymous user
05/04/2012 10:58
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According to the Lawyer, in another overwhelming show of empathy towards his staff, David Hardie said that the reason that the lawyers had to go was because there had not been enough "natural wastage" due to the downturn.

http://www.thelawyer.com/dundas-and-wilson-concludes-redundancy-talks-with-up-to-30-jobs-axed/1012071.article
anonymous user
05/04/2012 11:10
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At least they didn't just badge all of these as perfomance issues, like certain Northern firms.
anonymous user
05/04/2012 16:46
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I think David Hardie should step down pretty swiftly. The words "total" and "muppet" spring to mind given his recent comments. The comment was insulting to those who have been affected by the redundancies but hey, they should all be grateful that they only lost their jobs, isn't that right David? Its no big deal! Eh, ok then!

The firm does not value their staff, the majority of whom work exceptionally hard for very little recognition or reward. The firm is not a happy place to be and I wouldn't be surprised if and when the market opens up, there is an exodus of staff. However, it strikes me that the attitude of many senior people at the firm is one of arrogance and relying on the firm's reputation which for the moment, still remains relatively intact. However, as previously pointed out, failed mergers, emergency office openings, MP 'resignations' and redundancies (which they absolutely WERE regardless of how David wishes to term them) demonstrate that the place is a sinking ship.
Jz1978
06/04/2012 09:30
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It's a lazy analogy to call it a sinking ship. For all its PR problems, I hear it's not got the financial problems which nearly toppled its competitors. I know which problem I'd rather have. Its staff do work hard for little reward though, an unhappy bunch. But then that's law for you
anonymous user
11/04/2012 09:20
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For the "rats" still stuck on said sinking ship, easier said than done to abandon ship. Hang on in there guys!!
anonymous user
12/04/2012 22:54
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One must note that D&W does have an enviable client list. I have worked with the firm from the other side and they do have some talented lawyers.

However it remains to be seen how it will weather the storm. I agree with the last comment and say to D&W employees hang in there. Hopefully things will get better
anonymous user
04/05/2012 21:48
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David Hardie hasn't appeared anywhere for weeks! Maybe he's been shot or locked up in Edinburgh with the rest of the D&W dinosaurs!