The judges looked for the very best examples of high quality and influential programmes of learning and development from across the legal sector for this award. The shortlisted programmes demonstrated a strong and lasting impact on the delivery of legal services.
The judges were very impressed by this collaborative initiative, which delivers free family law training to all local legal professionals and across the community, including magistrates, the police, social services and schools. Describing the approach as ‘revolutionary’, the judges liked that the ethos underpinning this programme was about collaboratively promoting good working relationships across the community and improving the experience of the family law system for all involved. The training programme is of a very high quality and reflects the firm’s values of compassion and expertise. This initiative has clearly also had a positive impact on business development, which is demonstrated by the firm’s rapid growth and 20 fold increase in staff ratios.
This entry was a clear stand-out as an example of an excellent legal education programme that combined practical experience with academic learning, while making a valuable contribution to the community. The judges liked the combined delivery of law degree and LPC work, and the exposure to hands-on practical experience ensures that graduating students are ‘office ready', which is exactly what employers are looking for. The programme demonstrates best practice in legal education while at the same time making a positive contribution to the community.
Eversheds is using technology to create a blended learning approach throughout its UK offices and internationally, capitalising on its strong informal learning culture. Having recruited an e-learning specialist the firm provides training when and where it is needed, bringing together staff from 40 offices in virtual training and networking sessions.
Brethertons LLP has a broad and modern programme of learning and development activities which includes partnering with training organisations and utilising new technologies. Brethertons stands out with a deep and committed culture of staff development, care and investment.
The Unit’s approach is threefold. It has identified its talent pool, and recruits on the basis of potential; it focuses development on values and behaviours as well as skills; and it has created a learning climate in which everyone knows that their potential will be valued and developed.
Jointly created by the International Bar Association and The College of Law, the LLM in International Legal Practice is an internationally recognised practice-focused professional qualification, which builds corporate and cross-border legal knowledge. Students can tailor their learning and study at their own pace anywhere in the world via supervised online modules.
Training enables the business not only to survive but to positively thrive and grow in the rapidly changing landscape of legal services. As a result of expertise and knowledge, cases are settled more quickly and ultimately this results in very satisfied clients. Staff are well equipped to handle changes far into the future and to face them not only as a business but also as a team.
The Thomas Eggar Academy is a project designed to embed the stated strategy: ‘to deliver service excellence’. It does this by engaging with staff at all levels, to articulate the behaviours that are expected and then provide a continuous programme of modular project-based training specifically designed to develop those skills.
The Managing Associate Diploma provides a structured framework for all Linklaters’ senior lawyers. It aims to develop the firm’s future leaders and enhance competitive advantage by attracting and retaining the very best at this key career point. The Diploma encourages greater contribution to knowledge and learning at the firm.