UK law firm Freshfields has forced out partners and downgraded the equity share of others after a shake-up of pay at the “magic circle” law firm in an effort to drive growth.

The firm has culled equity partners in recent weeks, according to people with knowledge of the situation. The cuts come after the firm overhauled its remuneration structure late last year, which had led to dozens of its roughly 500 partners being handed fewer equity points, the people said.

Offices in Germany, Paris and London had all been subject to partner exits and equity downgrades, the people said.

Freshfields introduced a more...