K&L Gates, the international law firm with a major downtown office in Pittsburgh, has wrapped up a firmwide cut to its business professionals and other non-lawyer experts, trimming roughly 10% of its allied professional workforce. In practical terms, that is estimated to be about 180 roles across multiple offices. Colleagues say teams from accounting to marketing and IT were among those hit.
As reported by Above the Law, global managing partner Stacy Ackermann described the move as the result of a "comprehensive, multi-month review" and said the step is intended to "streamline our support structure." The outlet also noted that the firm told reporters it plans to provide separation benefits and outplacement support for colleagues who are losing their jobs.
Who Was Affected
Industry reporting puts the reduction at roughly 10% of the firm's non-legal staff, which works out to about 180 positions in publicly available counts. The Global Legal Post, citing Law.com data, estimates the cuts at about 180 roles and notes that the reductions reach across accounting, marketing and IT teams. Former and current staff say the changes span multiple offices rather than being limited to a single location.
Local Fallout in Pittsburgh
Some of the reductions landed in the firm's downtown Pittsburgh office at the K&L Gates Center, where business support teams handle day-to-day client and administrative needs. As the Pittsburgh Business Times reported, the firm carried out a firmwide reduction of its business professionals and non-lawyer experts. The moves could reshape how local practice groups lean on centralized services for core support work.
Why Firms Are Trimming Back Now
Observers say K&L Gates is moving in step with a broader law firm trend that shifts spending toward technology, automation and new delivery models while dialing back traditional back-office roles. The Lawyer and other legal outlets have documented similar business-services reductions at global peers as firms invest in generative AI and consolidate shared services. For many large firms, that has meant fewer conventional administrative jobs and a growing emphasis on technical or hybrid skill sets.
Support and Legal Notes
K&L Gates says it is committed to supporting impacted colleagues with separation benefits and outplacement assistance, according to reporting by Above the Law. Employers facing large-scale reductions should also remember that layoffs can trigger federal notice requirements in some situations. The U.S. Department of Labor requires covered employers to provide at least 60 days of advance notice for qualifying plant closings or mass layoffs under the WARN Act, although thresholds and exceptions apply. U.S. Department of Labor guidance explains how those rules generally work.
This story may evolve as local reporting and firm statements continue. Pittsburgh outlets and legal trade publications are still tracking developments around the cuts and any additional details about transition support.
