Practice Management
Competition for solicitor apprenticeships “tougher than training contracts”
Competition for six-year solicitor apprenticeships at a leading London law firm is tougher than for training contracts, with a scheme that also gives them experience of the business services teams.
“Bumper year” for big law firms but staff turnover is on the rise
The largest UK law firms have enjoyed a “bumper” year of income and profits but staff turnover is spiking despite an “unprecedented” rise in their pay, new research has found.
Equal profit shares for all: Chester firm embraces employee ownership
A Chester-based law firm has become the latest to transfer ownership to its employees, in a move the now former owners say will secure its future.
North-West England at the centre of autumn merger activity
Hugh James, the largest law firm in Wales, is continuing its expansion across England by acquiring Manchester-based catastrophic injury practice Potter Rees Dolan.
Lawyers “not listening” to ethnic minority clients
Many ethnic minority consumers of legal services do not feel they are being listened to or understood by their lawyers, research for the Legal Services Consumers Panel has found.
Law firms “frustrated by clients” over alternative fee models
Leaders of international law firms are frustrated by a “perceived unwillingness” on the part of existing clients to move from traditional billing and hourly rates to alternative fee models.
Balancing profit with purpose: Brabners becomes largest law firm B Corp
North-west practice Brabners has become the largest – and only the third– UK law firm with B Corporation status, meaning it has committed to balancing profit with purpose.
Law firm’s “courageous conversations” help staff discuss taboo issues
A national law firm has developed an initiative called ‘Courageous Conversations’ to help staff discuss taboo issues such as menopause, mental health, disability and discrimination.
Hybrid working disconnect between fee-earners and support staff
Too many law firms have different and disconnected hybrid working arrangements for fee-earning and support staff, meaning lawyers end up undertaking more administrative tasks.
Big law firms failing to provide “modern digital experience”
The largest law firms are failing to provide a modern digital experience for visitors to their websites, with 86 of the top 100 global practices lacking effective websites.