National law firm Clarke Willmott LLP has been named as one of the best firms for work/life balance. The firm earned second place for best work/life balance in the RollonFriday ‘Best Law Firms To Work At’ 2022 survey with 81 percent of staff reporting that they were satisfied.
Clarke Willmott came a very close second to DAC Beachcroft which took the top spot with 83 percent of staff reporting satisfaction.
The firm’s commitment to hybrid working, allowing staff to work flexibly from home and Clarke Willmott offices, has been praised and CEO Stephen Rosser says the move features heavily in future plans for growth.
“Our team responded exceptionally well during unprecedented circumstances. Our culture has always been recognised as being highly collegiate and supportive, and in the last two years this has really come to the fore,” commented Rosser.
“There are many lessons from the pandemic, but the biggest for Clarke Willmott is the ability and willingness of our staff to adapt and to adopt new flexible ways of working, supporting each other and also our clients. Our future is one that sees us committed to growth.
“This will continue to be based on excellent service for our clients, delivered by a team of lawyers and support staff who operate on a fully flexible basis. Other than for a few specific roles, our people are encouraged to work where they and their teams can best deliver for our clients.
“If they want and need to be in the office, they can be. Equally if they can get their best work delivered by working remotely, then they will be supported in doing so if they wish.
“As well as supporting hybrid working the firm has provided a range of broader initiatives including wellbeing activities such as online yoga and Zwift cycling sessions, art club, cream tea events and a coffee club that connects staff members across teams and offices for an informal get together. We are also taking a broad overview of all of our office space and making sure that it is fit for purpose considering our new normal.
“Last year we moved our Birmingham office and next year we are relocating our Bristol office to a more flexible friendly and environmentally sustainable space.” In a ringing endorsement of the approach taken by management of the firm, one partner said: “The changes brought about by Covid have been embraced as a long-term goal - flexible working is almost a right rather than something you have to justify.”
Another staff member who moved over from another firm said: “There is no comparison. The flexibility and work life balance at Clarke Willmott is second to none. You are never made to feel bad about it.”
