He acknowledged the difficulty of the cuts, calling them a “difficult but necessary step forward.” Ekué expressed gratitude to the partners, Johannesburg team, and consulting practice for their contributions over the years. Lawyers affected by the cuts will receive severance, benefits, and outplacement services.
Impact Beyond the Partnership
Although A&O Shearman plans to restructure its partnership, the firm confirmed there are no broader redundancy plans affecting non-partner employees. The changes will focus primarily on the partnership and the specified closures of the Johannesburg office and consulting practice.
To continue serving its African clients, A&O Shearman will rely on its offices in Casablanca, London, Paris, and the Middle East. The firm also plans to explore new collaborations with South African lawyers.
Post-Merger Challenges and Departures
Since the merger was finalized in May, A&O Shearman has seen several high-profile partner departures, particularly in the U.S. These include Philip Bowden, who joined Proskauer Rose LLP, and Daniel Shurman, a 25-year veteran partner with expertise in derivatives and structured finance, who moved to Clifford Chance LLP. Another long-time Allen & Overy professional, Sanjeev Dhuna, also left the firm after more than 26 years to join Shearman in 2021.
