Baird and French now co-chair Freshfields’ associate engagement group (AEG), which was set up last year to get associates more involved in running the office. Crisp managed the group until he left the firm at the end of March.
The AEG has been expanded from 12 associates and four partners to a team of 15 associates and six partners. In addition to Baird and French, these are tax disputes co-head Helen Buchanan, restructuring partner Neil Golding, corporate partner Andrew Hutchings and finance partner Flora McLean.
The firm will hold its second annual associate forum later this month. Items up for discussion will include a new flexible working package and measures to introduce more structure to the associate career path. Progress made on topics discussed last year, including appraisals, mentoring and associate involvement in business development, will also be discussed.
After last year’s meeting the firm set up a number of working groups which meet at least once a month while the AEG as a whole meets monthly with
Baird told Legal Week: “[The group] sends a strong message to associates that partners with very strong and busy departments are keen to get involved. Having spent my whole career at this firm it is a great opportunity to sit down with the people that make the firm tick and talk through any issues.”
As part of the recommendations from last year, the firm spent £300,000 refurbishing its reception area. Over the year the firm has drawn up new policies regarding its appraisals and salary and bonus reviews and feedback, as well as addressing work allocation issues and the communication of firm strategy. It has also introduced a new senior associate development course to help newly-promoted senior associates gain skills training.
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