11/10/2011
Innovative recruitment solutions needed to satisfy emerging ABS market.
Over the years I have seen the highs and lows of recruitment in the legal profession, from the heady years of ‘bidding wars’, when solicitors could almost name their price, to the severe cut backs during the recent recession: we wait to see the results of the proposed cuts in legal aid. But all pale into insignificance compared with the next big change – Alternative Business Structures (ABS).
06/10/2011
4% fee income increase for top 100 law firms but market still vulnerable
International advisory group Deloitte has reported a 4% increase in the fee income of the UK’s top 100 law firms in the quarter ending 31 July 2011 over the same period last year. However, whilst it might indicate signs of recovery, the figures mask the fact that there was a huge variation in the performance of firms in general and that the legal market remains vulnerable.
28/09/2011
Legal recruitment market steady
A rise in unemployment to 2.51 million is of course a blow, swelled no doubt by school leavers, public sector cuts and another economic slowdown, and with the UK’s service sector being the hardest hit, is it all bad news for the legal market?
19/08/2011
Flexibility more important in the workplace
The CBI has called for the Government to consider how flexibility in working practices and procedures can benefit employers and employees and how it should be taken into account in the current Employment Law Review.
10/08/2011
Supporting young professionals
Supporting young business professionals is something that Sheffield companies have always valued, recognising the need to provide support and assistance to those in the early stages of their careers in order to breed new talent for the future.
28/07/2011
CRA sponsors Junior Lawyers summer party
CRA Legal is delighted to be sponsoring Sheffield and District Junior Lawyers’ (JLD) 2011 summer party, which will be held at The Forum, Sheffield on Thursday 4th August.
20/05/2011
Are we losing our lawyers?
With the pace of change in employment law as fast as ever, one thing is for sure – we need our employment lawyers to keep us on track.
05/05/2011
5 ways to get the best value out of your law degree
The Guardian has published an excellent article which offers guidance on how to get the best out of your law degree. You can read it by clicking here:
07/04/2011
New guidance on Agency Workers Regulations
The government issued long awaited guidance on the Agency Workers Regulations last week. The regulations which come into force on 1 October 2011 have not been entirely clear and have caused some concern amongst businesses.
31/03/2011
Investing in Recruitment
Securing finance is of course a pre-requisite for any start up or developing business, but what about securing staff?: surely it’s second only to financial safety, after all people are generally a business’ most valuable asset.
18/03/2011
Sheffield Law Society annual dinner a sell out
Despite the economic climate – and the gale force winds! – the 2011 Yorkshire Banquet (Sheffield Law Society’s 135th annual dinner) was a sell-out. Over 360 people attended what has become an un-missable event in the Yorkshire legal calendar.
25/02/2011
Permanent appointments grew at fastest rate for six months in January
According to the latest ‘Report on Jobs’, which is published by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and KPMG, the number of permanent and temporary appointments grew faster in January than at any time in the past six and seven months respectively.
17/02/2011
Is the legal profession still dominated by men in 2011?
The results of an in-depth study carried out by the Law Society last spring – in which a random sample of 1200 legal practitioners were interviewed – have been released. Perhaps surprisingly, as there is certainly a feeling within the legal field that women lawyers are become more predominant, the report indicates that the legal world is still dominated by men.
09/02/2011
Employers to have a duty to keep staff fit?
The government is promoting a new initiative to get employers to pledge to help to keep their employees fit...
13/01/2011
Responding to the changing legal recruitment market
The last 12 months have seen dramatic changes in the legal sector recruitment market with mergers, acquisitions and, unfortunately, administrations. Of course the loss of some of the traditional, smaller Sheffield firms is sad, but the mergers have also opened opportunities for practitioners looking for careers in newer and expanding fields of law, not previously offered by the traditional firms.
13/01/2011
Creative staff development in tough economic times
Creative staff development in tough economic times
14/12/2010
Solicitor brings legal expertise to CRA
Sheffield legal and financial recruitment specialist CRA Consulting is delighted to announce that it has been joined by solicitor, Clare Holsgrove (formerly Clare Slater) to further strengthen its busy legal recruitment department.
06/12/2010
Dreaming of a white Christmas – but will you have to pay your staff?
Dreaming of a white Christmas – but will you have to pay your staff?
16/11/2010
Law graduates - still a huge benefit to employers
Heidi Sandy, chairwoman of the Law Society's junior lawyers division recently indicated that graduate recruitment in the legal sector is on the up, saying that firms that didn't offer training contracts two years ago are now recruiting and those graduates that were deferred are starting their contracts, freeing up places in firms that may have been 'on hold'.
09/09/2010
Recruitment consultants harnessing legal talent in Sheffield
As the economy struggles to get back on its feet and the number of candidates looking for jobs still outweighs the number of jobs available, it is more important than ever that businesses make the best of harnessing the amazing talent available in the region and using a reputable and dynamic recruitment consultant can certainly be an advantage.
07/06/2010
Changes to the Sheffield legal scene
There have been changes afoot in Sheffield’s legal district over the last month.
06/04/2010
Junior Lawyers Division: Launch
The Sheffield & District Junior Lawyers Division will this month be launching their new committee, website and monthly newsletter.
25/03/2010
Telegraph Telephone Advice
Irwin Mitchell was shortlisted in 2009 for its contribution to community development, and 2010 looks set to be another innovative year for the leading law firm.
18/03/2010
Where there’s a Will…
The National Will Aid Campaign has this year raised over £1million and local lawyer Lauren Smith has been a part of that success. She was able to raise a sum in the region of £6,000 for charities such as Help the Aged, NSPCC, and Save the Children UK.
26/02/2010
Irwin Mitchell's Information Technology Award
Irwin Mitchell have won national recognition for their use of information technology. They were nominated along with commercial law firm Burges Salmon, international law firm Osborne Clarke, Mills & Reeve, Shepherd & Wedderburn and Personal Injury specialists Parabis as part of TheKnowList awards.
04/02/2010
Free Legal Advice
The last twelve months have seen a growing trend amongst Sheffield law firms for the provision of free advice clinics. Taylor & Emmet set up its free advice service in 2009, and this month Simpson Sissons & Brooke will be providing a free legal advice clinic starting on Wednesday February 3.
25/01/2010
BiG Challenge for DLA
Multinational law firm DLA Piper has sponsored this year’s BiG Challenge, so that a lucky group of Sheffield pupils will get the opportunity to travel to Hong Kong.
19/01/2010
Happy New Year for Halliwells
2010 is already turning into an excellent year for Halliwells. They have benefited from the recent growth in commercial activity and now they have a new Senior Partner heading up their Sheffield office.
21/12/2009
Kennedys to Launch in Sheffield
The New Year will see the arrival of a new brand on Sheffield’s legal scene.
14/12/2009
Legal Sector Graduate Recruitment
The economic cyclone of the last year has affected recruitment in every sector. Graduate recruitment in the legal sector has not escaped unscathed.
11/12/2009
Babington Business
Keeble Hawson’s Paul Trudgill has recently advised on a management buy-in for the Babington Business College enterprise.
30/11/2009
Audit of the LSC
The Legal Services Commission has come under fire after an audit of their work that was published last week.
24/11/2009
Irwin Mitchell's Community Contributions
Following Irwin Mitchell’s recent success in the Chambers 2010 Report, they are now going that extra mile to help local community schemes.
23/11/2009
Impressive Personal Injury Performances
The Chambers Guides to the World’s Leading Lawyers has hailed two of Sheffield’s law firms as leaders in their fields.
17/11/2009
Sheffield Firms lead the way
Two leading Sheffield firms have been involved in the takeover deal of Wigan-based Lea Green Foods.
02/11/2009
Hart Shaw's Notable Nomination
Sheffield accountants Hart Shaw are in the running for ‘Firm of the Year’ with the UK200 Group.
30/10/2009
Proposed Amendments to Inheritance Laws
The Law Commission has this week proposed major amendments to Inheritance Laws.
20/10/2009
Hazardous Hacking for Consumer and Companies
From the UK to the US, Beijing to India, across the developed world, hacking in the telephone communications industry has become an ever more problematic and growing trend.
19/10/2009
Environmental Expert's Cautionary Advice
Ailish Oxenforth, an Environmental specialist at the Sheffield office of DLA Piper has given a warning to companies who are in danger of being reprimanded for their detrimental environmental activities.
19/10/2009
Nabarro's New Service
The Sheffield office of national law firm Nabarro are heading up the roll out of a new service that will allow companies to avoid drawn out and financially detrimental legal disputes.
16/10/2009
Excellent Community Investments
The upcoming Law Society Excellence Awards is a prestigious event in the calendar, and this year Sheffield has reason to be proud of its legal community. Scheduled for 22 October at the Royal Horticultural Halls, London, the event will highlight some of the national achievements in the legal world.
08/09/2009
Sheffield’s Legal Stars
Sheffield law firms have reason to be proud of their appearances in this year’s Legal 500.
04/09/2009
Singing Solicitors Charity Challenge
Earlier this summer we reported how The Master’s Cutler Challenge puts the “fun” into “fundraising” with the return of law firm DLA Piper’s life-sized Monopoly Board on the streets of Sheffield. Now another leading Sheffield law firm have joined in the Cutlers’ capers with a karaoke challenge.
28/08/2009
Next Generation Celebration
It was recently announced that Chris Fry of Wake Smith will be elected to President of the Sheffield & District Law Society in April 2010. And following in his footsteps through the Law Society Doors is colleague Kevin Poulter who has been appointed as head of the Next Generation group at Sheffield & District Law Society. Kevin has been a key member of the fledgling group which aims to link members of the South Yorkshire legal community from law students to qualified professionals.
14/08/2009
Law Firm’s Sports Link
Simpson Sissons & Brooke have made a 3 year commitment to the Sheffield Steelers Wheelchair Basketball Club. The law firm, which is based in Townhead Street, Sheffield, will provide funding of £12,000 per year throughout the agreement.
14/08/2009
Dronfield Doctors enlist Green’s Legal Guidance
Vincent Green is playing a key role in developing a new medical centre being built on part of the former Gosforth School site on Stubley Drive, Dronfield.
22/07/2009
Lupton Fawcett’s Fantastic Transaction
Sheffield law firm Hackett Windle is set to be the next acquisition for commercial lawyers Lupton Fawcett.
13/07/2009
Irwin Mitchell's Impressive Move
Irwin Mitchell’s Corporate Team delivered another success last week as they completed the management buyout of Turton Springs Limited. The deal saved 75 Sheffield jobs and also secured the future of the spring manufacturer’s second site in West Bromwich.
03/07/2009
Regional/National award for Russell Jones and Walker
Russell Jones and Walker have been named Regional/National Law Firm of the Year by industry bible The Lawyer.
03/07/2009
Another Hit for Halliwells
This year has seen some of Halliwells’ most successful transactions. Their annual fee income is up by nearly 30 % and this week the law firm has more cause for celebration.
03/07/2009
Katrina’s Asbestos Campaign
Irwin Mitchell’s Industrial Disease department has gone from strength to strength, and this week they have even more reason to be proud of themselves.
29/06/2009
DLA’s Intellectual Deal
Sheffield law firm DLA Piper have teamed up with the University of Sheffield to turn the university’s Excellent-rated research practices into business opportunities.
29/06/2009
National Recognition for Nabarro’s Recruitment
Nabarro have exceeded themselves at this year’s TARGET National Recruitment Awards.
19/06/2009
New President for Law Society
Paul Clarke of Sheffield law firm Taylor & Emmet LLP has become the new President of the Sheffield and District Law Society.
08/06/2009
DLA’s Monopoly Masters
The Master’s Cutler Challenge puts the “fun” into “fundraising” and this year is sure to be another winner.
01/06/2009
Norrie Waite and Slater hires a Goodlad
Simon Goodlad has made the move this week from Graysons Solicitors in Sheffield to Norrie Waite & Slater. Simon worked for Graysons as Marketing Manager, a role he will take up again with his new employer. He will have the task of expanding and improving the firms marketing strategy and internet presence.
29/05/2009
Russell Jones and Walker’s Industry Ambitions
Russell Jones and Walker have been short listed for all 4 of the categories they entered in a prestigious industry awards ceremony, which is being held in London next month.
29/05/2009
Irwin Mitchell’s Partner Promotions
The Sheffield office of multinational law firm Irwin Mitchell has announced a promotion in its Court of Protection Department. Ruth Wright has been made a Partner at the firm. Having qualified in 1991, Ruth made the move to Irwin Mitchell from Nabarro Nathanson in 2006.
29/05/2009
HLW’s Commercial Accomplishments
Sheffield based commercial law firm HLW has recently completed a deal which saw the sale of Beads Direct – an internet bead company – to Rockmount Commercial Holdings Limited. Rockmount was represented by the Leeds based arm of leading law firm Irwin Mitchell. Corporate Partner Roger Dyson was responsible for the transaction.
21/05/2009
High hopes for Halliwells
National law firm Halliwells has kept up a fantastic impetus despite gloomy economic forecasts in the legal world. Nationally the 2008 to 2009 turnover was a prodigious £83million.
11/05/2009
Law Society’s Loyal Servants
Sheffield Law Society last week announced the new vice president and head of Litigation Focus Group. Both roles have been filled by solicitors from Wake Smith & Tofields.
11/05/2009
Pickering takes post of Managing Partner
There have been developments this month for Sheffield based national law firm Irwin Mitchell. The firm has remained resilient and determined despite financial problems in the UK economy. And the firm’s new managing partner John Pickering is resolute in his mission to steer the firm forward in a continuously positive direction.
05/05/2009
Clarke’s Commercial Capabilities
The business legal team of South Yorkshire law firm Taylor & Emmet LLP has appointed a new partner. Having worked at DLA Piper for 11 years, Paul Clarke’s specialist knowledge will be an asset to the Sheffield office of Taylor and Emmet. Clarke is a senior commercial litigator who has acted for retailers and local manufacturing businesses. He specialises in commercial contract disputes and aims to develop the law firm’s business and commercial presence.
05/05/2009
Halliwells High Flyers
Halliwells have announced promotions this week. Nationally, the law firm has appointed 5 fixed share members, 13 senior associates and 13 associates in its annual round of internal promotions.
18/03/2009
Halliwells’ United Purpose
Halliwells’ team spirit must have been through the roof when, earlier this month, Sheffield United appointed them as its principal legal adviser.
18/03/2009
DLA’s Corporate Coup
The Corporate team of DLA’s Yorkshire offices have consolidated the firm’s position in the region by achieving the top position in the Yorkshire Legal Advisors Deals by Volume table.
18/03/2009
Pro Uno
This week sees the re-launch of a project jointly established by SheffieldVolunteering and the School of Law.