Our people work in teams every day: practices, sector teams, client teams, business services functions, the list could go on. How do we get these teams, and the individuals within them, working together as one firm? It is an essential thing to get right if we are to work smoothly across borders, jurisdictions and sectors.
Our approach is to build teamwork into our culture, and encourage people to develop their own relationships with people in other practices and offices. For example, we encourage secondments between our offices and with clients. We also run conferences at practice level and global training courses – both of which encourage people to network and share approaches to dealing with matters. This means that when people are called upon to work on cross-border deals, many of the team already know one another.
In practice
Secondments
The number of associates going on an international secondment or transfer has risen by 42% over the past four years, from 248 in 2005 to 353 in 2008. In addition, more than two-thirds of matters worked on by associates last year involved multi-national teams.
New Lawyer Global Orientation Programme
Our New Lawyer Global Orientation Programme brings together lawyers new to the firm from across our offices for a week-long training programme, ensuring everyone receives entry-level training of the highest quality. The programme is based around a simulated transaction that emphasises the international nature of our practice.
Annual New Partner Induction
Our annual New Partner Induction welcomes all new partners into the firm as leaders. During the programme, participants discuss a range of topics with more senior partners – from the ethical challenges involved in the types of work we take on, to how we maintain a globally consistent approach in everything we do.