Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe has laid off two executives in attempts to rein in costs.

On Thursday, Orrick Chairman Mitch Zuklie told Thomson Reuters that the San Francisco-based firm eliminated the positions of its human resource officer and knowledge management officer. Zuklie, who became chairman in March, said, “a thinner, more nimble management team is an objective of mine.” He added that the changes are not “a reaction to anything in the past. It's very much a forward-looking (initiative).”

Thomson Reuters notes that the layoffs are significant because unlike other firms whose internal lawyers act as management, Orrick hires executives as management. The layoffs could signal a change in management style under Zuklie's leadership.

Orrick's chief operating officer also announced that he will leave the firm, though his departure isn't related to the layoffs; Zuklie has not yet decided whether the position will be replaced.

Orrick also laid off 21 nonsecretarial staff members last week and relocated nearly a dozen other staff members to a lower-rent location.

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