Trafalgar - The People Business

Lateral Partner Moves in London

2012-05-21T09:45:00.001+01:00

The summary results of the exclusive Motive Legal Consulting research into the partner lateral hire market in London have now been published. This is the second year of the research, encompassing a six year period from 2005-2011.

London remains the heart of the lateral partner market in the UK, accounting for well over half of all partner moves across the country, and law firms in London remain strongly drawn to lateral hire as the primary method of business growth, hiring 2,295 partners in the six year period, 12% of them as part of multi-partner teams.

However, lateral hiring remains a very uncertain business, with a high degree
of attrition.

For the full article, please click here.

Do you need to Change Career – or make your Career have multi-tracks?

2012-05-21T09:21:00.001+01:00

There are many professionals questioning what they are doing – and whether they have the right balance in their lives. Apparently a small village in Spain has so overspent investing 3 years ago in facilities for its 3,000 inhabitants (many of which they have had to close down as unaffordable to run) that it will take them over 7,000 – yes, seven thousand years to clear the debt.

How many of us do the same with searching for envied lifestyles – and miss the obvious delights right under our noses? Maybe you do not need to find a change in your career, but maybe take time to reflect on how to get more from what you have got – and so can enjoy the sunshine of the May weekends, in preparation for the next weeks, months and years ahead of great personal fulfillment.

For the most recent issue of Changing Careers Magazine please click here.

For more information on our Not for Profit workshops, please click here.

Higher Hiring of Partners?

2012-05-10T12:50:00.002+01:00

If you are planning on bringing in new partners as lateral hires we recommend you consider integration support (provided by our team of consultant coaches) to ensure this investment sticks. Too many firms fail to plan and integrate new partners: ‘s/he is highly capable, so it would seem unnecessary to provide them with that sort of support’ said one MP. Integrating a lateral hire partner into a new role is about supporting them to become the most effective, to ensure they learn quick ‘the way we do things here’. Assuming that because they have been in the market for x years doesn’t mean they will fit seamlessly in. HoDs, Senior Partners are all busy people, often don’t have time – and the attrition rate so give pause for thought about how to make laterals long to stay with you.

For the full article please click here.

Cooking up a Storm

2012-05-03T17:27:00.000+01:00

Having had a wonderful dinner a month or so ago at The Cinnamon Soho restaurant – we would endorse the comments below from Hardens! We are hugely enjoying working with Vivek Singh and his team of senior managers across all three restaurants: The Cinnamon Club, The Cinnamon Kitchen and Anisi Cocktail bar and now The Cinnamon Soho. Well done everyone!

A handily-located West End offshoot of the Cinnamon Club mini-empire, offering robust Indian-inspired dishes in a somewhat basic contemporary-style bistro setting.

The charming Vivek Singh is one of those 'ethnic' restaurateurs who’ve helped make that term pretty much redundant for savvy Londoners. Say ‘Cinnamon Club’ to anyone in the know, and the image that comes into their mind is as likely to be ‘bastion of the Establishment’ as it is ‘Indian restaurant’.

Having succeeded so well in helping to take Indian cuisine out of any sort of 'ghetto’, it’s perhaps some sort of joke that the menu of his casual but efficient Soho newcomer includes the likes of his very own take on the Scotch Egg, and on shepherd’s pie too. Such dishes – if not displaying the sort of finesse you’d expect, and pay for, at the Cinnamon Club – were all done very well on our visit, and the setting is well-spaced by West End standards, if not to our mind especially stylish.

For a robust and reasonably-priced dinner in a handy location in the heart of the West End, you’re unlikely to do very much better than here. Two chaps on a night out, drinking semi-moderately, spent a reasonable £40 a head, but the pre- and post-theatre menus offer the prospect of something approaching bargain Soho dining. Call Nicolas (the manager) and mention Trafalgar: 5 Kingly St, + 44 (0) 20 7437 1664

Shaping up for the Olympics!

2012-05-01T16:28:00.002+01:00

Over the past two years we have been members of the Midtown Business Club – and here is an example of what combined abilities can do to help businesses in the area!

And there is the most fabulous Christmas Gala Dinner on Tuesday 27th November please click here for more information.

Ian Roberts, Chair of the Midtown Business Club’s 2012 Task Group, has been asked by Transport for London to forward full and final tube and rail 'hotspot' data to members of the MBC. Ian has prepared the attached summary information to help members to plan for travel disruption during the Games. Please do circulate this to your HR team/employees to keep them updated. For more information please click here.

Please do continue to check the following websites for information:

www.getaheadofthegames.com for general advice
www.traveladviceworkshops.eventbrite.co.uk for information on localised free TfL Travel Advice workshops that are running until the end of May.

If you have any queries, please contact:
Ian Roberts
Managing Director, Central Legal Personnel
Chair, Midtown Business Club 2012 Task Group
ianroberts@central-legal-personnel.com

or Ann Cadogan at the MBC office below.

Ann Cadogan
Midtown Business Club
Tel: 01993 844776
Mob: 07836 510742
Fax: 01993 846321
E-mail: info@londonmidtown.org
www.londonmidtown.org

Saw this and thought of you ---- and your fellow partners!!

2012-04-26T17:11:00.001+01:00

Fox Williams, one of our clients, is on the ball here – so we thought we would share this with you all! Tina Williams and her team say it all – so maybe now is a good time to plan how to support your fellow partners build their careers so they can gracefully retire – and not fall off a cliff?

Lawyer loses retirement age appeal

The Supreme Court today handed down its long-awaited judgment on age discrimination in partnerships and LLPs with retirement ages in the case of Seldon v Clarkson Wright and Jakes. Mr Seldon’s appeal in respect of his compulsory retirement was unanimously dismissed.

For the five key points to note, please click here

If you would like advice or support in connection with this issue, please contact

Tina Williams (cjwilliams@foxwilliams.com)
Doug Preece (dpreece@foxwilliams.com)
Daniel Sutherland (dsutehrland@foxwilliams.com)

As you know we are always here – and currently I am writing up a Report on the Role of a Partner in a law firm – for the future. If you would like to reserve a copy – let Charlotte know.

Cameron in Asia - Singapore Continues to Grab the Headlines

2012-04-13T16:35:00.001+01:00

Singapore continues to be a hot topic in the news over the last few weeks, with some well known firms pursuing new options in the East, just as David Cameron has suggested.

After a six-month pause on the opening of their new office in Singapore, Addleshaw Goddard are now poised to launch the new branch, headed up by litigation partner Jamie Harrison. For the full article please click here.

Another firm that have just secured a licence for their launch in Lion City are Squire Sanders. The new office will be managed by Ignatius Hwang, who joined the firm in February 2012. For the full article please click here.

But Allen & Overy have called off merger talks with Allen & Gledhill's Singapore office after terms failed to be agreed. A spokesperson for Allen & Overy has said that that the South East Asia region is still seen as strategically significant and also that it is still a key market for A&O. A&G managing partner Lucien Wong (contributor to patricia's Leadership in Law firms book (Dec'10)) put in his statement at the time: “Our strategy of maintaining our market-leading position in Singapore and being a leading law firm in South East Asia hasn’t changed, and we’re confident of pursuing this strategy without being in an alliance with, or being part of, an international law firm.” For the full article please click here.

Invoices, being paid, not being paid and all that jazz

2012-04-13T16:25:00.001+01:00

So often the main priority in a business is to gain clients and gain work. This is all well and good and crucial for the success of the business; however, in their eagerness to get clients and get work, many businesses lose sight of the fact that the one key lifeblood to the success of the business is cash-flow. Without that the business heart will not beat! Therefore businesses always need to have at the forefront of their mind ‘Get work, do work, get paid!'

To focus the mind on the third element, Jemma Holliday, Costs Lawyer and Head of Business Development at Jennings Law LLP Debt Recovery Solicitors, provides some useful guidance for businesses to ensure they do not find that all of their cash flow is tied up in unpaid overdue invoices.

As a firm that deals exclusively with debt recovery work, Jennings see the same issues crop up time and time again. Before discussing the debt recovery side there are a few housekeeping issues businesses should be mindful of to get the most out of their credit control/debt recovery procedure.

1. Know who is going to pay you. It may sound an obvious point but so often firms are so pleased to get the work the issue of being paid is not at the forefront of their mind. Therefore once a new client comes on board take a step back and see who you are dealing with. Is it a limited company or an individual? Who is ultimately agreeing to pay you for the work you have been asked to do?

2. Decide if you want to do the work. Again, sounds a little obvious however, once you have established who you are dealing with you may not want to run up a big bill if you find out this particular customer has a shocking credit history and never pays bills! Various credit agencies can run checks on your potential customers and companies house is also a good indication if you are dealing with a company that may be in difficulty.

3. Payment Terms. Make sure terms are clear and specified. Are you in a business where retention of title would be appropriate? What is your firm’s position in relation to interest on late payments? Many businesses are not aware that there is legislation namely the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 which allow businesses to add interest at a rate of 8% above the base rate. The act also provides for recovery of a fixed amount to compensate the business for the late payment which can be anything up to £100. Businesses should take advantage of this legislation because as a result of the late payment they have been out of pocket!

So your invoice is correct but it has not been paid, what now?

‘The credit control procedure for the business is vital’ Jemma tells us. ‘It’s a hard fact that the longer an invoice is left unpaid statistically the chance of recovery goes down. Businesses need a firm procedure in place and time is very much of the essence.

The starting point is having a system that lets you know once an invoice is beyond terms. If your terms 30 days, on day 31 an invoice is overdue. Many of our clients act on day 31, some use their own internal resources and some have it set within their procedure that we get instructed on day 31 to act as a gentle reminder to their customer that the invoice is outstanding. Jennings have a ‘softly softly’ letter that is designed not to offend any of our clients’ customers, but to gently remind them that the invoice is late, and that our client’s credit control procedure has resulted in our involvement. It stresses that they value the relationship and assume that the delay was simply an oversight. Clients are valuable and businesses don’t want to lose them. If there is a chance that the relationship is worth salvaging then try and keep it. As this service only costs £1 plus VAT it is a highly cost effective way of injecting cash flow at a low cost.

If you are dealing with your own credit control in house after day 30 have your plan of attack. How many calls/ letters will you send before you take things to the next stage and when this is decided stick to it?

If that next stage is reached and despite your best efforts payment has not been made you MUST follow through with your threats. If you have said that you will involve your Debt Collection Agency or Solicitor then you must do so. If not your debtor will know you will not follow through and they can avoid paying.

Know your options. Many firms of Solicitors offer low cost assistance for help in recovering overdue invoices. Jennings provide a ‘letter before action’ service for only £1 plus VAT so businesses know that for even the lower value debts they have a tool available that is cost effective.

Outsourcing debt recovery work does not need to cost the earth. Jennings Law LLP Debt Recovery Solicitors offer various fixed charging structures for dealing with matters at any stage with costs as low as £1 plus VAT and also offer fixed fees. If you would like a free ‘health check’ on your own debt recovery procedure which includes free guidance on the late payment legislation please feel free to contact Jemma Holliday at Jennings Law LLP on 01228 673332 or by email jemma.holliday@jenningslawllp.com

Enhanced Board Effectiveness through Diversity: an introductory seminar for Partners

2012-03-20T15:20:00.001Z

Regardless of quotas, or Government guidelines, the Board room would benefit from developing a more inclusive approach to who is on the Board – and why. It is clear that there are many prejudices held against professionals as possible board members, such as lawyers. They are apparently seen as too risk averse, narrow focused and unimaginative, leaving the space clearer for accountants: their saving grace being that they can read the numbers!

It is also evident that fewer women put themselves forward for Board appointments (Executive and Non-Executive) – not because they don’t have the skills, but because they may have too harsh (or realistic) an assessment about their own skills and likely contribution. However, it is this more accurate understanding of self, and so appreciation of other's capabilities that actually makes them effective.

To help start bridging the gap, we are now running a series of seminars to help women partners in law firms tap into their expertise and realize their potential in the Board Room – for mutual benefit.

For details of the seminar including dates, venues and costs please click here

If firms are interested in running in-house programmes we can also introduce some excellent role models to help and contribute to the debate and growing database of opportunities for NED, Judicial appointments and Trustee roles.

Yet Another Step in Singapore

2012-03-15T09:49:00.000Z

Singapore is in the headlines again as the Singeporean Law firm RHT Law are set to join Taylor Wessing's international network and change their name to RHT Taylor Wessing effective from the 16th March 2012.

For information and to read the full article, visit The Lawyer Online.

The Haven Physic Garden Party - 13th June

2012-03-14T15:10:00.001Z

Every other year, The Haven (Breast Cancer Haven) hold the prestigious Physic Garden Party, this year on 13th June (6.30pm – 9pm). Julian Fellowes is our guest speaker, with some of his Downton Abbey friends. Champagne and canapés flow, there are wonderful Gift Trees with real value-for-money presents, from £20, £50 and a few £100 bags, a high quality auction and usually well over 400 wonderful people to meet and get to know.

You can buy your tickets now at £60 each, but hurry, as we sell out quickly! Please complete the application form for your tickets (Quote: PWB612), add any donation you can make, and fill in the Gift Aid form too. Why not invite colleagues and clients to join us and share an early Summer Evening walk through the lovely Physic Gardens near the Embankment, and support our charity at the same time?

If you would like to Sponsor and Support our event to raise your firm’s profile with this exclusive audience, do please contact me to disucss options.

The Haven
Every year the Haven has the difficult challenge of raising funds to continue to provide support to those who need it. The Haven is leading the way in the field of integrated breast cancer support by offering an in-depth and individually tailored programme of care to people affected by breast cancer through their network of day centres. www.thehaven.org.uk explains more:

‘We're unique because:
• We provide specialist day centres for people affected by breast cancer and differ
from other cancer support day centres in the UK by providing free in-depth
programmes of one-to-one support. The breadth and depth of therapies offered as
well as the groups and classes are unrivalled anywhere.
• We liaise with the medical profession caring for each person.
• We are a global leader in our field. Cancer specialists from all over the world
visit our Havens to learn about our approach to supporting people who are living
with the effects of breast cancer
and its treatments.
• We scientifically research the impact of the therapeutic approaches we provide

Do let me know if you are coming along so that I know to look out for you and also to make sure I introduce you to interesting people present.

For more information and to download the ticket application form please go to:
The Haven Charity Event

Remuneration and Reward – for what?

2012-03-01T11:50:00.003Z

Next Wednesday, 7^th March, Ark are running their 5^th Remuneration and Reward Strategies Conference. Shooting a moving target is a challenge for the best professionals amongst us, but the current economy is making picking the target a real challenge. Developing practical, innovative and flexible remuneration strategies for those who resist and dislike the changes coming in, is also tough. So to reflect these changing times, this annual event has shifted its format to deliver the information delegates need to manage and develop complex remuneration and reward strategies in a practical, fun and interactive way.

www.ark-group.com/mp_introduction

The burning question is how firms can make sure they are getting what they pay for – and so are they varying their reward mechanism to ensure they are rewarding those behaviours that will give the firm what it really needs to be discernably different? Patricia will be chairing a thoughtful and productive conference – if you haven’t bought your tickets, there is still time to do so!

Buzzacott's 2012 Budget Evening - A sprint through the main Budget points!

2012-02-29T14:31:00.000Z

Following the success of last year's event, Buzzacott are pleased to invite you to an evening of rapid review of the main high (and low!) lights of the 2012 Chancellor's Statement.

Buzzacotts say that they would be delighted if you would join us at our offices on Wednesday 21st March for an evening of drinks, canapés and our infamous 'Big Buzzacott Budget Quiz'!

At the starting gun, Buzzacott Chairman Anthony de Lacey will give an official welcome before Buzzacott Partner, Alastair McQuater races through an overview of the main Budget points and covers how businesses and individuals can jump the hurdles that will affect them. As they speed towards the finish line, they will have the Big Buzzacott Budget Quizz and provide participants with an opportunity to quench their thirst and replenish their energy levels with refreshments and canapés.

This is an extract from the original Buzzacotts invitation. For more information and to RSVP please visit: www.buzzacott.co.uk/events/buzzacotts2012budgetevening

What price - Moral Values?

2012-02-28T09:26:00.000Z

No matter what sort of organization you are: public sector, Software House specialist, law firm, surveyors or consultancy – would you pass the test? Mumsnet have developed an assessment for firms to test just how effective they are in employing staff flexibly – and now you can see through Ethicability whether all you do is defined by a moral code signed up to by all.

“ethicability® makes a compelling case for why doing the right thing is not a function of good business, it is good business.” Joe Garner, Deputy CEO & Head of UK Retail Bank. HSBC

Ethicability are delighted to announce that Version 3 of our proprietary MORAL DNA Profile diagnostic is now launched and available at: www.MoralDNA.org

A major new feature is measurement of the differences between At Home and At Work preferences. This information has been highly valued in trials with BP and HSBC. A 6 page Report is emailed to all participants highlighting 6 Characters for easy identification of “type”.

There is no charge for individual usage . If used for business purposes we are happy for a small number of people (Max 6) from the same organisation to trial the MDNA Profile but for wider usage an IP sliding scale fee will apply as follows:
• Up to 100 users £10 per person
• 101 -1000 users £8 per person
• 1001 -10,000 users £6 per person
• 10,000 + £4 per person

Well over 50,000 people from some 180 countries have taken this unique “Test” and the research data we have gathered is throwing fascinating new light on various aspects of moral behaviour. Your participation is therefore highly valued as a contribution to this ongoing work. For more information check out www.ethicability.org

NB The fourth edition of Prof Roger Steare’s classic text book on “good” decision making – ethicability® is also now in stock.
RSP is £20+p&p available from Amazon at £17.

Let us know what you think!!

Singapore hits the headlines again – year of the Dragon!

2012-02-23T09:42:00.000Z

Having returned from Singapore 10 days ago I can report that it is growing as a legal centre, challenging Hong Kong as a great place to be for law firms with global / international aspirations.

We held several Round Table discussions with Managing Partners, hosted by Arfat Selvam, MP at Duane Morris Selvam and another hosted by Alban Kang, MP at ATMD Bird & Bird. It is anticipated that these will become quarterly events and includes MPs from UK, European, US and Singaporean firms. (If you would like to join, please let Charlotte know).

Bryan Tan, MP of Keystone Law Corporation sends out a regular newsletter advising firms looking to do business in Singapore - you may be interested:

www.keystonelawcorp.com/downloads/SingaporeKeystoneLaw2012-2E.pdf

Allen & Gledhill one of the Top 4 Singaporean firms, has dropped it current relationship with Linklaters and now likely to cosy up with Allen & Overy. Once this is approved the doors will open – and there are a growing number of very capable, smaller local firms we are meeting who could offer a great foothold for foreign firms.

And The Lawyer has commented similarly:

www.thelawyer.com/lion-city-set-for-roaring-trade/1011474.article

Watch this space – and Patricia would love to celebrate her year as a Dragon with a drink in the Long Bar at Raffles – if you are around in Singapore in May!

Introduction to the partnership

2012-02-15T19:23:00.000Z

Here is an opportunity for new Partners to understand just what you need to consider so that you have a successful career in your firm. From all the comments and experiences from other partners I suggest you focus on:

Clarity around your role and key responsibilities and how these are measured – and valued (whether rewarded directly or not);
Consider how you will use your contacts to grow not just your practice – but the wider firm (far too many partners are too selfish in their BD view);
Setting aside enough for you to have a decent pension fund – whether that is a portfolio of properties, other assets – or a straightforward fund. Don’t get caught out as some of those partners in their mid-fifties and on who are going to have to keep working to plug that gap
Consider how to manage your career so that you remain an asset to the firm – and it to you!

So why not attend Smith & Williamson’s excellent programme.

Maybe see you there!

PS we are running short introductory programmes for Partners about taking on NED and Not for Profit responsibilities: challenge yourself and come along.

Emotional Intelligence goes beyond Intellect but do your Senior Executives Partners have it?

2012-02-13T10:00:00.000Z

We have been working with JCA for over 15 years and recognize the value of their superb work. John Cooper and his team have been working with some of our law firm and technology clients and achieved great enhancements in self awareness, self regard, awareness of others and so affected the bottom line.

In a recent article "Emotional intelligence: thinking and feeling on the job" in the Guardian’s money section (11the February, 2012) it sets out the case for the financial benefit in having a healthy and effective Board.

This approach is part of the Strategic Portfolio Career Mapping for Partners © approach available, and there is an increasing demand for solutions to holding on to partners, to ensure that selection criteria for partnership now includes such sophistication – i.e. going beyond those blunt instruments: pure financial measures.

Lawyers as NEDS – can it work?

2012-02-09T12:00:00.000Z

Well due to a recent article in the Yorkshire Post, Partners and ex-Partners are increasingly taking up the challenge of getting onto Boards as NEDs, Trustees or Governors – so what are you doing?

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/business-news/lawyer_faces_new_challenge_with_public_relations_agency_1_4216828 gives an illustration of how you can turn a client or sector relationship into gold! Check our latest selection of half day workshops – carrying CPD, delivered by experts in the field such as Simon Wethered, Richard Evans and Mike Spur. Why not book a place on any one of these workshops and learn just what is involved in managing your current role as a Partner, how to tailor your CV and how to exploit your sector expertise by taking on these responsibilities. Innovative and well focused firms are seeing this as a positive way of providing stimulus, aligning individual and the firm’s strategy and so much more.

Duke Street Bets on Law (extract from the Times)

2012-02-08T17:12:00.000Z

Interesting to see the different options UK firms are taking to take advantage of external investment to develop the delivery of their legal services to an ever widening group of clients.

10 days ago, Slater & Gordon publicized their proposed acquisition of Russell, Jones & Walker and now Duke Street are taking a significant stake in the Group behind the Plexus Law - Parabis - valuing the legal services business at between £150m and £200m. (All subject to the SRA)

The sale of shares in Parabis, subject to clearance by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, will give the group sufficient fire power to pursue its plans for a series of acquisitions. Paul Lester, former boss of VT Group, will become chairman of Parabis after the deal, while Bob Scott, previously chief executive of Aviva, the insurer, will also join the board.

The stake sale is the latest, and biggest, in a series of deals in the legal profession. The investments have been sparked by the introduction of the Legal Services Act, which allows firms to raise money from outside investors for the first time. The legislation has been dubbed Tesco Law as it was predicted that big retailers would muscle into the market.

As the public are increasingly exposed to such comments in the Press, we will see more adventurous forays into this market place by Private Equity as well as Corporate Finance. What is your firm doing, how is your Board responding to this challenge to how your firm will survive?

First Law Firm to be Brought by a Listed Company

2012-01-26T11:10:00.000Z

We all know now that lawyers keep their cards close to their chests, often reluctant to go to Press until the deal is done, so we should prepare ourselves for many more such announcements as Silverbeck Rymer's announcement as captured by Legal Futures here.

With each announcement, too, we at Trafalgar are seeing a growing interest (tinged with some scepticism) from corporate financiers, private equity and the like.... So if your firm is holding an away day, partner retreat, and developing your strategy for the sustainable future of your firm, you maybe should be briefing yourself more fully on the ever expanding ways to deliver legal services. Be in the vanguard, this is not a followers market.

Take a look at this article on the Legal Futures website.

Labour wants women and staff to have say on executive pay | News

2012-01-13T14:38:00.000Z

Labour wants women and staff to have say on executive pay | News

Strategic career mapping for partners

2012-01-04T09:36:00.000Z

Strategic Career Mapping for Partners seminar – part of the Law Society Masterclass series is being run on 7th February, 2012 in London. Prevention is better than cure and this seminar addresses the many challenging issues around partner career progression so that you can refresh your partnership stock, and at the same time help your partners have fulfilling careers within the firm in a manner that goes beyond partnership. It will also cover what other firms are doing, how those firms tackling these issues now are setting a foundation for a durable future that doesn’t disappoint long serving individuals and ensures all are valued.

Use this form to book your tickets for Strategic Career Mapping for Partners.

Details of NED, Trustee and Skills seminars for Partners for 2012

2011-12-07T10:17:00.006Z

Specifically designed for lawyers who are now Partners, Managing Partners, Senior Partners and Senior Associates who want to explore the opportunities of taking on NED or Trustee roles either whilst still a partner in their firm, as part of a post-Partner career move or as part of your retirement planning. Our key seminars are:

Introductory seminar for Partners on NED roles & responsibilities lead by Simon Wethered, Consultant, Committee Member to the Charities Commission and ex-Charles Russell Partner

0.5 day, 3 CPD points,
Number of delegates 8 - 14
London (23rd January, 28th February, 20th April) and Manchester (27th March, 21st May)
Cost £335 + VAT, per person

Download the PDF

Introductory seminar to the Not for Profit sector lead by Richard Evans, CEO of CfA Executive Search and Selection in NfP. who is increasingly involved with the legal sector.

0.5 day, 3 CPD points,
Number of delegates 8 - 14
London (25th January, 29th February, 30th April, 28th June)
Cost £335 + VAT per person

Download the PDF

Assessing and developing your skills from Partner / Lawyer to being effective at Board Level lead by Michael Spurr, Director of Wickland Westcott, executive search selection supported by other leading lawyers who have NED roles.

1.1 assessment, report & feedback, undertaken at least a week in advance of seminar
0.5 day group seminar
6 CPD points,
6 – 10 number of delegates
London (21st February, 19th April, 18th June) and Manchester ( 28nd March, 22nd May)
Cost £3,300 + VAT per person

Download the PDF

Seminar design and options:

NB: All seminars and more in-depth assessments are available as public courses and can be tailored for in-house, carrying CPD points. In-house projects may have additional enhancements such as talks by Partner / ex-partner NEDs as roles models, additional connectors and network guidance which can be sector specific, venue, etc, as required.

Working with a variety of national and international Accountants, we are also able to ensure that partner have the best personal financial advice as part of the wider review around longer term Portfolio Career Mapping for Partners © which would be managed separately.

NED / Trustee seminars designed and contributed to by lawyers – for lawyers: for 2012

2011-12-05T17:27:00.002Z

According to recent research the FTSE 250 has only 19 main board Directors who trained as lawyers and very few as Non Executive Directors. This is a dreadful waste of great commercial and entrepreneurial skills – and clearly a missed opportunity for many partners in law firms today.

The Portfolio Career Mapping for Partners © (PCMP) is a programme designed to help you address the opportunity to increase your productivity as well as plan your future. PCMP has been developed by Trafalgar through research, numerous discussions with Partners in law firms around the UK and abroad. It is based on Partner role models, and recognises that keeping experienced Partners ‘nose to the grindstone’ fails to fully create and access their true value.

Policies on remuneration, profit share, clarity on roles and responsibilities are under scrutiny in most of the top 200 law firms, Default Retirement Age and the desire (or need) to work till we are 70+ are all pressing for a new, innovative approach to this thorny subject: we can help.

Success at board level is not about a single cell skill but rather multi-level skills and most lawyers can miss out by failing to understand what is valued – and what is not. We now have links with numerous recruitment, head hunting cosultancies who are focusing on supporting these programmes, individuals who have:

Taken 8 years to build a network and portfolio of roles, including regulatory in aerospace, in education, commerce and charity
Developed several roles as an NED including nationally recognized organizations that will position that individual for a ‘third career’
Because of his sector focus is now on the board of a regional charity and now generates @ £100k - 200k per annum
Agencies who can support the transition to in-house roles
Private equity who are looking for sound commercial business people as NEDs

If you are a member of the management or leadership team you will also be considering mergers or acquisitions and may well want to ‘prepare’ the partnership which includes helping some of your partners acknowledge some additional roles or shifts in their careers. We can run these programmes in-house to ensure the topics reflect and compliment your overall strategy.

We will provide more details shortly – if you are interested please contact: Patricia Wheatley Burt, Director, on 020 7565 7547 or email: patricia@trafalgarpeople.com

Launch of The Theatre Fund

2011-11-30T14:29:00.001Z

According to some press, there are investors keen to put their money into some interesting projects – this might appeal to those of you who fall into this category. Also written up in the legal press, Partners in the Top 100 are again seeing good levels of PEP – so here is a neat way to support the Arts and make money.

Interestingly, Alan Davis is a qualified lawyer taking time out from practicing the law to build his commercial skills. In 2010 he found himself putting on 5 highly successful plays in the West End simultaneously, through Act Productions – a man worth backing.

http://www.thetheatrefund.co.uk/