7 ways to improve work-life balance in your firm

Reduced hours, non-partnership-track positions and job sharing were also cited.

"In today's competitive hiring environment, recruiting highly skilled legal professionals remains a priority," said Jamy Sullivan, executive director of Robert Half Legal. "To attract the industry's best talent, companies are emphasizing programs that help employees better manage work priorities and personal commitments."

The legal recruiter says there are seven ways to improve job satisfaction and promote work-life balance:

1. Seek employee input. Ask your team what they consider most important for managing professional and personal priorities. Survey them on what benefits are most appealing and regularly include these topics in meetings so you can adjust policies as needed.
2. Recognize one size does not fit all. While many workers value flexible hours, others may consider telecommuting their highest priority. Discuss what you can do to address individual needs.
3. Embrace flexibility. Offer a range of perks, such as a compressed schedule, remote work, reduced hours or job sharing, and flexible time-off policies.
4. Encourage efficiency. Provide tech tools that help with routine tasks, enable better collaboration and make it easier to work remotely.
5. Put a premium on health. Provide wellness resources to employees, such as access to fitness facilities, discounted gym memberships or stress management programs.
6. Address burnout promptly. Encourage employees to take time off to refresh. Consider hiring legal professionals on a contract or temporary basis to reduce workload pressures on existing staff.
7. Walk the talk. Encourage employees to disconnect from the office while on vacation — and ensure that supervisors set a good example by doing the same.

HSF makes three senior hires for Joburg expansion

Herbert Smith Freehills has enhanced its Johannesburg office with three senior hires from global rivals.

First, from Norton Rose Fulbright is Ross Lomax, a seasoned corporate lawyer who led the NRF corporate M&A team in South Africa. He joins the HSF team in Johannesburg as a partner on 1st August.

Another new partner is Nick Altini, who joined earlier this month from Baker McKenzie where he was head of the South Africa competition practice.

Finally, Rohan Isaacs, who joined in June as senior consultant having headed the TMT practice at Norton Rose Fulbright in South Africa.

"Client demand for expertise and advice on mergers and acquisitions, competition and innovation through technology is constantly rising and we are meeting this demand by building our offer across the firm,” said Ed Baring, managing partner of the Johannesburg office. The additions of Ross, Nick, Rohan and their teams, all of whom enjoy unparalleled reputations in the market, serve to demonstrate our determination to provide clients with access to the highest-quality advice under one roof."

A&O inspires underprivileged kids to consider law career

Allen & Overy has continued its program of giving young people from underprivileged backgrounds inspiration.

The firm has held a lunch and workshop in New York for 13 and 14 year old girls who were introduced to the possibility of a career in law and given insights into various practice areas including litigation, corporate, environmental and IP.

The day was organized by Legal Outreach and A&O’s US Women’s Committee.