Don’t forget you can visit MyAlerts to manage your alerts at any time.
Lawyer Work Life Balance
-
Movers and sheikers
By Mark Goddard | March 4, 2009
We are all living and working through exceptional times. Law firms and partners must respond to the increasing pace of change in the markets and with clients, and so partner flexibility and mobility have never been more important.My personal reaction to this new world was to move with my wife and three children (aged 11, 10 and seven) from London to Dubai to jointly run Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer's corporate practice in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The motivations and challenges for the move were many, and I and the firm have learned practical lessons from my transfer to the Middle East.
1 minute read
-
Diverse City
By Mark Goddard | February 25, 2009
One of the most enjoyable aspects of what I do at the Black Lawyers Directory (BLD) is interviewing lawyers (and indeed non-lawyers), particularly for our Lawyers of the Month feature. What has struck me is that a significant number of those that I had interviewed were given what will now be shocking advice when they were starting out. One Chief Crown Prosecutor was told that they were aiming too high and should instead look at secretarial work. One partner at a top 100 law firm was told to forget becoming a lawyer and join the army instead because colour does not matter then. An amusing story, as told to me by John Roberts QC, was when he had just finished his pupillage and was looking for a tenancy. He recalled: "A clerk said to me: 'Sorry, sir, with you being black, solicitors won't brief you. If they do, I will eat my hat!'"
1 minute read
-
The art of flexibility
By Mark Goddard | February 11, 2009
After years of law firms bragging about career breaks and flexible working opportunities, you would be forgiven for thinking that juggling a career in law with having children must be the easiest thing in the world.But even in this age of the BlackBerry and the trusty laptop, many women in the profession maintain that having children presents a choice: focus on being a mother or on being a career woman because you cannot do both.For those who go down the route of motherhood, two things can make all the difference: flexible childcare and a flexible partner. Slaughter and May's head of corporate, Frances Murphy, is no exception - she has a live-in nanny and a flexible husband. And she is far from alone in asserting that without these, working life would be extraordinarily difficult to manage. Even with nursery care, the idea of being able to leave the office at 5.30pm - even if the firm allows it - is simply not a realistic option for most senior lawyers.
1 minute read
-
Wake up to women power
By Mark Goddard | February 10, 2009
I was filled with trepidation when first asked to write an article outlining my views around the subject of women forging a successful career in legal services while also raising a family.I have, when pressed in the past, resisted any personal visibility on this topic. I have a deeply held belief that each person does what is right for them and that those choices are no one else's business. Why am I sensitive to the issue? Well, I have five children, I am a partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, and have, over the past years both in social and work circumstances, been on the receiving end of a number of judgemental comments relating to my career priorities.
1 minute read
-
Styled to succeed
By Mark Goddard | February 4, 2009
The first day of any new job is a daunting prospect. When first impressions count for everything, looking the part matters. And while competition to stand out from the crowd is fierce, attracting attention for your sartorial sense may not be the best first step.So, what is the difference between 'smart business' and 'traditional business' - and just how do you tackle 'dress down Fridays'?General consensus among City firms is that dressing successfully boils down to creating a professional impression, of which your wardrobe is just one aspect. As Deborah Dalgleish, head of trainee recruitment at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, says, this means it is not just what you wear, but how you wear it: "From the clients' point of view, they can't always make a judgement on the legal advice you are giving them, so they judge you on how you come across in the office and your overall appearance."
1 minute read
-
Strength in numbers
By Mark Goddard | January 28, 2009
There are some people in this world who live life to the full and others who do not know when to say 'no'. I am trying to decide if I fall into the former or the latter. As a US securities partner at Simmons & Simmons, one would think that my day job keeps me occupied enough. In truth, it does, and then some. However, I think when you have a passion for something, that energy can be channelled to accomplish even more. Over the past few years I have been involved in two exciting projects, one rooted in the familiarity of US securities law and the other involving a journey into the realm of equality and diversity which has been unexpected, demanding and very rewarding.
1 minute read
-
Gauging the net worth
By Mark Goddard | January 21, 2009
There is a tendency to talk up the career benefits of online social networking. In this parallel universe, anyone serious about getting on in life has hundreds of career-enhancing Facebook contacts who they regale daily with tales from their carefully-tended blogs. This, supposedly, generates waves of business opportunities, coupled with many wonderful nights out, as boundaries between business and pleasure blur. The tech-savvy associate then completes their triumphant march to partnership with an ease unimaginable in the pre-internet age.This doesn't actually happen, right? While lawyers have been among the most enthusiastic social users of online networking - as illustrated by Allen & Overy's much-mocked ban in 2007 on staff using Facebook - it remains a rarity for the profession to use such tools to further their career.
1 minute read
-
A guiding light in corporate social responsibility
By Mark Goddard | January 14, 2009
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is becoming an increasingly serious business at UK law firms. Ad hoc sprees of well-intentioned do-gooding are out, replaced by projects carefully designed to make use of lawyers' skills. The London arm of Weil Gotshal & Manges, for example, assists human rights organisations monitor proceedings in the international criminal court in The Hague. Wragge & Co, meanwhile, gives free legal advice to local charities. And Weightmans runs a project providing work experience for the unemployed.All of this looks impressive on paper, but how does the modern CSR programme work in practice?
1 minute read
Featured Employers
More From ALM
With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
View Now
Dynamically explore and compare data on law firms, companies, individual lawyers, and industry trends.
Law.com Compass includes access to our exclusive industry reports, combining the unmatched expertise of our analyst team with ALM’s deep bench of proprietary information to provide insights that can’t be found anywhere else.
Law.com Compass delivers you the full scope of information, from the rankings of the Am Law 200 and NLJ 500 to intricate details and comparisons of firms’ financials, staffing, clients, news and events.
May 23, 2024
London
Learn More
London
Celebrate outstanding achievement in law firms, chambers, in-house legal departments and alternative business structures.
Learn More
September 06, 2024
Johannesburg
Learn More
Johannesburg
The African Legal Awards recognise exceptional achievement within Africa s legal community during a period of rapid change.
Learn More
June 20, 2024
Atlanta, GA
Learn More
Atlanta, GA
The Daily Report is honoring those attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession.
Learn More
Associate attorney position at NJ Immigration Law firm: Leschak & Associates, LLC, based in Freehold, NJ, is looking for a full time ass...
Apply Now ›
Company Description CourtLaw Injury Lawyers is an established Personal Injury Law Firm with its primary office located in Perth Amboy, New J...
Apply Now ›
Black Owl Recruiting is looking for a number of qualified applicants to fill positions for a highly reputable client. Recent experience work...
Apply Now ›
04/15/2024
Connecticut Law Tribune
View Announcement ›
Connecticut Law Tribune
MELICK & PORTER, LLP PROMOTES CONNECTICUT PARTNERS HOLLY ROGERS, STEVEN BANKS, and ALEXANDER AHRENS
View Announcement ›