Mayer Brown is set to make further job cuts in London, in the office's second redundancy round this year.

The US firm's London arm is laying off London non-lawyer staff, with the number affected set to be fewer than 20, according to the firm. No fee-earner positions are at risk. 

The job losses come in addition to the firm's May announcement that it was to shed up to 20 support and legal staff. Sixteen staff subsequently lost their jobs; however, the firm refused to specify how many of these were lawyers.

A spokesperson for Mayer Brown said: "Responding to client needs for greater value in the delivery of legal services, Mayer Brown continually examines all aspects of its operations to seek ways to improve efficiency and productivity. 

"In our London office, this examination has led to the difficult decision to undertake redundancy consultations involving fewer than 20 staff positions. No fee earner positions are involved. All those potentially affected have been notified." 

In July, Mayer Brown offered its incoming London trainees the option to defer their training contracts for one year in exchange for a one-off payment of £10,000, an offer which three prospective trainees accepted.

The firm has also agreed deals to sublet around 10% of its Bishopsgate offices to other law firms.