Our reputation as the lawyers' lawyer comes from acting for many of the largest UK and US firms. Our work with them gives us a unique insight into the employment law issues facing the legal sector.

We know that managing the performance and career aspirations of lawyers at all levels can be difficult, and partnership promotion rounds and remuneration review can accentuate this. We can advise you on how to deal with what are often sensitive and highly confidential legal claims.

Using years of post qualification experience as a measure for setting charge out rates and pay levels is common, but is it always legal? We know the risks and can advise on how long-term absences from work, such as for maternity leave, sickness absence, secondment abroad or career breaks can be fairly and legally taken into account.

Law firms are increasingly being asked to accommodate requests to work flexibly, often part-time or with fixed hours. This can cause particular problems in an industry where client service is crucial, and we use our experience to guide our law firm clients through this complex area.

As partners and teams come and go and partnerships merge, we can help you manage transfer and restructuring issues effectively and with minimum disruption to the business, often working together with colleagues who are experts in partnership law.

We hold regular discussion forums on topical issues affecting law firms. Our first one was on the then new age discrimination legislation as we believe law firms may be particularly vulnerable to age discrimination claims stemming from, for example 'up or out' policies, lock step, use of post-qualification experience and the age profile of trainees.

Since the first discussion forum we have held others on performance management, flexible working, issues around social networking sites and using new technologies at work and immigration. We are happy to accommodate any suggestions for specific topics to cover, so do get in touch if there is a particular issue you would like to discuss at a future forum.

For further information please contact:

Carolyn Soakell on +44 20 7074 8225
or carolyn.soakell@lewissilkin.com

Hazel Oliver on +44 020 7074 8045
or hazel.oliver@lewissilkin.com