London BigLaw Associates Have Growing Role in Firm Management
Although they obviously don’t run the show, associates at major United Kingdom law firms are reportedly playing an increasing role in firm management.
One common practice, for instance, is to have an associate forum that lobbies law firm leaders on behalf of the firm’s junior attorneys, reports the Lawyer.
Even relatively minor changes can be a big morale-booster. And at Freshfields, thanks to the firm’s associate group, there is a lengthy list of them. The firm “now uses recyclable mugs for coffee, firm laptops now come with Wi-Fi, the BlackBerrys have been upgraded to the latest state-of-the-art ‘Curve’ model, more bicycle parking spaces have been added, cumbersome canteen payment touch screens are now more user-friendly [and] free evening food has been introduced,” the legal publication reports.
At Herbert Smith, the associates forum has been consulted about bonuses. And at Allen & Overy an associate even sits in on the firm’s weekly management committee meetings. Although he is sworn to secrecy about much of what transpires there, he is consulted about associate issues and will seek input from other associates about their views, when appropriate.
“It’s certainly gotten a lot better in the years I’ve been an assistant. I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s perfect, but it’s definitely better,” says Philip Beer, an attorney who is a member of Herbert Smith’s associate forum. “And I think these forums give management the chance to explain to assistants and to feed back what’s going on with the firm and the wider strategy.”
