CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Since May, 18 employees in the Charlottesville office of LexisNexis have lost their jobs because of outsourcing and restructuring, according to company spokesman David Kurt.

"These changes are necessary for LexisNexis to remain competitive in an increasingly challenging marketplace and to fund major investments to meet the growing demands of customers," Kurt said in an e-mail today.

Kurt added that the layoffs were a result of corporate decision-making, not low performance.

In April, the legal-information provider announced plans to outsource 290 positions in 2008 and early 2009 -- mostly in other locations out of state. These cutbacks affected 11 local employees in positions relating to data collection, conversion, editing and business systems.

Last week, LexisNexis, which employs about 300 people, cut another seven positions after announcing restructuring within the quality and training department and a custom publishing line.

"We regret that some of our employees will be leaving LexisNexis and we are committed to assisting affected employees with severance benefits and career transition assistance," Kurt said.