Cubism's offices, Holborn. Credit: Wikimedia/Basher Eyre

Sixty-lawyer 'new law' corporate firm Cubism Law has been hit with dozens of departures, leaving its future in doubt.

Founded by former Fieldfisher partner Andrew Pena, the Holborn-based firm stands to lose about 16 lawyers to 'challenger' corporate boutique Gunnercooke, according to people with knowledge of the move. Six have already been confirmed, one person added. The boutique is also hiring many of Cubism's support staff.

About six further Cubism consultants are joining listed law firm Keystone Law, according to two people close to the matter, while one of them added that other rival firms "had started to circle".

Asked about the departures and the firm's future, a spokesperson for Cubism said in a statement to Legal Week: "Cubism is reviewing the scope and extent of its business activities. The continued protection of its clients' interests remains the paramount focus for the business."

Gunnercooke and Keystone were unable to provide statements at the time of publication.

Like Keystone, Cubism operates on a 'new law' consultancy basis, whereby lawyers join as consultants and have oversight of their own practices.

Cubism was founded in 2007 by Pena and a small team of lawyers. While at Fieldfisher, Pena was a partner heading up the franchise dispute group and the Spanish group. Cubism's website claims it had fostered "strong client relationships" and that its business has grown at a rate of "over 50% per annum".

Among the firm's consultants are former Simmons & Simmons and legacy Richards Butler partner Andrew Bird, as well as former Equus Petroleum head of legal and current Cubism general counsel Gani Abaidildinov.

Cubism has a strong litigation tilt, but also practises corporate, immigration and employment law.

Gunnercooke has upped its recruitment efforts lately, earlier this month bringing in a four-strong corporate team from firms including Sidley Austin and Clifford Chance.