US firm Howrey is planning to cut costs by hiring more non-lawyers and setting up more litigation support centres manned by staff attorneys. The plans form part of the firm’s new five-year business strategy presented to partners at a meeting in Miami last month.
Firm chairman Robert Ruyak (pictured) told partners the firm intends to reduce its costs by using more admin staff, IT consultants and engineers instead of lawyers. It will also increase its numbers of staff attorneys – lower-cost lawyers who are not on the partnership track.
