Pinsent Masons has seen three sets of unfair dismissal claims launched by former employment lawyers at the firm dropped, Legal Week understands.

The claims were launched last year by three female former employment practice lawyers, including one partner, who variously alleged that they were the victims of sex, pregnancy and maternity-related discrimination when they were made redundant from the firm's employment practice in 2013.

Thirteen lawyers in Pinsents' employment team lost their jobs as a result of the firm's 2013 layoff round, the third since its merger with McGrigors went live in 2012.

Two of the claims by the former lawyers were withdrawn around Christmas last year, with the final case dropped within the last month.

It is understood that several current Pinsents partners were called as witnesses in the hearings, which took place at Manchester and London employment tribunals over the last six months.

Last autumn, when the claims were heard, a Pinsents spokesperson said the firm "prided itself on its reputation as an inclusive employer offering equality of opportunity".

He added: "We could not function as a business without a diverse and flexible workforce, and we value and promote the positive contribution women and those with families make to our success."

This week Pinsents declined to comment on the withdrawl of the claims.

Last month Clifford Chance was ordered to pay out €35,000 (£26,000) in damages to a former employee at its Paris office who filed for unfair dismissal.