BigLaw Firms Expand While Slashing Staff as Tech Transforms Operations
Foley & Lardner, Baker McKenzie, and BCLP report expansion and staff layoffs tied to tech adoption.
Why it matters: Tech upgrades are prompting major law firms to lay off office staff even as they hire more lawyers and open new offices. Legal professionals must understand how innovation fuels both growth and job risk in BigLaw.
- Foley & Lardner re-elected Daljit Doogal as Chairman, added 70 lateral partners, and opened offices in Nashville and Raleigh.
- Baker McKenzie laid off hundreds of business services staff in February 2026, citing AI-driven efficiencies.
- Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner cut 8% of support staff in May 2025 to modernize business operations.
- Post-merger McDermott Will & Schulte laid off legacy Schulte associates, per Above the Law coverage.
Several top law firms are charting parallel trends: hiring partners and expanding geographic reach, while simultaneously cutting support jobs in response to technology shifts.
- Foley & Lardner confirmed Daljit Doogal’s re-election as Chairman and CEO in December 2025. The firm added 70 lateral partners in the past year and opened offices in Nashville and Raleigh to target growing markets.
- Baker McKenzie conducted large-scale layoffs in February 2026, cutting hundreds of business services roles—including IT and knowledge management. The firm cited automation and AI as key drivers behind the move, saying: "We are taking steps to introduce efficiencies and invest in areas that best serve our clients’ needs."
- Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) announced in May 2025 an 8% reduction in support staff, with CEO Steve Baumer noting: "We do not take these decisions lightly. Our people remain at the heart of BCLP." The cuts are part of a broader business modernization plan.
- McDermott Will & Schulte, following a major 2025 merger, laid off staff with particular impact on legacy Schulte associates, as reported by Above the Law.
The trend is clear: as BigLaw grows its lawyer ranks and office footprint, administrative and support roles face increasing risk from workflow automation. Attorneys and staff must adapt to new technologies and business models to stay competitive.
By the numbers:
- 70 — Lateral partners hired by Foley & Lardner in 2025
- 8% — Portion of BCLP support staff laid off in May 2025
- Hundreds — Estimated number of business services roles cut by Baker McKenzie in February 2026
Yes, but: Some firms have not disclosed exact layoff numbers, making industrywide impacts hard to quantify.
What's next: Law firm leaders are expected to announce further tech investments and possible restructuring in the next fiscal year.