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Firm ‘optimistic’ it will not cut staff or spending amid COVID-19
As law firms across the country cut down on staff and spending, one law firm said it is still optimistic that there is no need to take such drastic measures just yet.
Naomi Neilson
Marque Lawyers managing partner Michael Bradley confirmed with Lawyers Weekly that the firm had not taken any measures in response to coronavirus (COVID-19) and if it does come in future, it will “certainly be a last resort for us as a business”.
“Every business will be making decisions in this situation based on a combination of the practical reality of the circumstances combined with their application of their values as a business,” Mr Bradley said. “Ultimately, everyone is going to respond in accordance with their values and a situation like this, which is extreme, will expose what their values are.”
In a tweet last week, Marque Lawyers said it has not stood anyone down, made any cuts to salaries, reduced hours or forced lawyers to take leave – but Mr Bradley did not rule it out as an option in the future, if coronavirus forces the law firm to take urgent action.
Mr Bradley told Lawyers Weekly that he is not concerned with what other major law firms are doing and for Marque Lawyers during this time, it is his priority to “keep our workforce employed and fully paid so we can get through this together and come out of it stronger”.Since all the other law firms are announcing the COVID-19 stand downs, pay cuts, reductions in hours and forced leave they’ve imposed on their employees, here are ours: none.
— marquelawyers (@marquelawyers) April 8, 2020
“If we take a hit, then we’re going to share that equitably,” Mr Bradley said.
Several other law firms have also committed to maintain its staff and have not yet changed major processes. Baker McKenzie manager partner Anthony Foley said the only options available to staff are voluntary and it is looking at how to support working from home.
“The voluntary options include the possibility of adjusted hours, reduced hours and taking accrued carer’s or annual/long service leave. In addition, we are providing extra resources for those needing support in setting up their home office,” Mr Foley said.
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Naomi Neilson
Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly.
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