Many law firms, even those that are weathering the depressed economy, still face the prospect of downsizing. Once viewed as an extreme measure, downsizing is now considered a normal part of successful practice management. Certainly it will be in the minds of many managing partners as last year’s results become clearer and next year’s budgets are finalised.

Although downsizing involves a substantial amount of change management, people and practices do survive, adjust and grow as a result.