Pros
Seemingly want to change (but taking too long, and investment being channeled in the wrong direction)
Cons
As above, too much resource in the non-fee earning areas, lots of rhetoric around ‘change management’ which isn’t working at day to day level (recently a head of team/sector returned from a partners’ retreat on change management openly declaring what a waste of time it all was). Lots of promises about growth and change which do not materialise. Many juniors treated appallingly (and in property recently told that they won’t progress if they finish work ‘on time’). The pay and benefits are dire…and there is no culture whatsoever; ask any employee what the firm’s values are and see the blank looks; it is quite sad really No female role models; some senior females overtly unhelpful. The two geographical areas (South Coast and London) do not work in unison. There is a current consultation which some senior partners have predicted will come down heavily in favour of a profile of SC over London, rather than playing on the strengths of both locations. There are some really difficult individuals in partner/senior management roles who are part of an in crowd and making life quite unpleasant for others. Despite the new MP talking the talk, and he comes across as quite pleasant, he is South Coast focussed which is not sitting well with anyone who wants London to flourish. Even a senior Bournemouth partner is extremely worried about the shifting sands (pun intended). The MP is putting too much stock in an ever growing non-fee earning business sector, which isn’t producing results and making the fee earners resentful. The London teams seem to be struggling; a little like a headless chicken, or rudderless boat drifting, following the failed Mackrell merger - there is no strategy for the office’s future. The ‘head’ of London sits with earphones on most of the day and is unapproachable as perpetually busy and harassed