Consortium of law firms launches new Legal Operations Graduate Programme

In order to accelerate the development of a pipeline of junior talent in legal operations, international law firms CMS UK, Dentons, Norton Rose Fulbright, Herbert Smith Freehills, Linklaters and Slaughter and May (the Consortium) have united to create a novel Legal Operations graduate programme.

The programme kick-starts with an intensive, flagship, four-week course that will bring together graduates from the Legal Operations teams at the Consortium firms. Additional participants who currently work in the firms’ Legal Operations and related teams may also be invited to join nominated elements of the course. The foundation course will be supplemented by regular workshops throughout the programme period to bring together the cohort of graduates to work on case studies, reinforce their learning, and network with peers and legal operations experts in order to share experience.

The University of Law (ULaw) and Positive Pricing have been selected as the programme’s exclusive partners, working alongside the Consortium to lead the design and delivery of the curriculum, in what should be the first iteration of a longer-term, established training approach.

“Sitting at the junction of the business of law and the practice of law, the legal operations function continues to play an increasingly important role in the delivery of legal services. We are all committed to attracting and developing the brightest talent in this field who will in turn drive value and innovation for our clients. This is an exciting initiative that we hope will establish an industry standard for training and development of graduates in Legal Operations.’ Richard King, Chief Legal Operations Officer, Herbert Smith Freehills.

Participants on the course will study the changing face of the legal market, understanding their firms’ legal practice, innovation, automation, legal tech, process design, legal project management and the core skills of legal operations professionals.

“This course is truly unique in the training and development of legal operations professionals and will be a fantastic launchpad for talented individuals from different backgrounds to contribute directly to the business of the Consortium firms with the high level of understanding and relevant core skills needed to work in a fast-paced City law firm environment.” Jim Moser, Director of Professional Development, The University of Law

“We are delighted to be partnering with the Consortium firms and ULaw to deliver this ground-breaking initiative and help develop the legal operations teams of tomorrow.” Stuart Dodds, Principal and Co-Founder of Positive Pricing

Supported by a faculty of expert tutors, high quality face-to-face training and online resources, participants will network with their peers from other Consortium firms. Some sessions will be co-facilitated by members of the Consortium firms and their legal operations teams to provide an induction and insights into each firm.

Notes to Editors

About The University of Law (ULaw)

The University of Law is one of the longest-established specialist providers of legal and business education in the UK, with campuses in London, Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Guildford, Leeds, Manchester and Nottingham, and international campuses in Berlin and in Hong Kong. You can also study our law courses at the University of East Anglia, The University of Exeter, The University of Reading, The University of Liverpool, The University of Sheffield, Newcastle University and The University of Chester Law School. Our courses are also available online, full time and part time.

The University delivers a wide range of high-quality courses and provides students with opportunities for legal training across 94 of the top 100 law firms in the UK, 33 of which ULaw has exclusive relationships with.

The University has also been awarded a five-star rating from QS Stars, as well as being named the best University in England for Overall Student Satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2020 (NSS).

About Positive Pricing

Positive Pricing is a leading specialist pricing consultancy and is solely focused on assisting professional service firms to create greater value for their clients and to capture a fair share of that value for themselves.

To date, Positive Pricing has worked with over 70% of the AmLaw100, the Big Four, and leading firms across Asia, Europe and Australia improve their pricing and bottom-line, and continue to support and partner with their clients on a global basis as part of individual consulting engagements and through their participation via Positive Pricing’s programme of global roundtable and training events.

For more information, please visit www.positivepricing.com or contact Stuart Dodds at stuart.dodds@positivepricing.com

About CMS

Founded in 1999, CMS is an integrated, multi-jurisdictional organisation of law firms that offers full-service legal and tax advice. With more than 70 offices in over 40 countries across the world and more than 5,000 lawyers, CMS has long-standing expertise both in advising in its local jurisdictions and across borders. From major multinationals and mid-caps to enterprising start-ups, CMS provides the technical rigour, strategic excellence and long-term partnership to keep each client ahead in its chosen markets.

The CMS member firms provide a wide range of expertise across 19 practice areas and sectors, including Corporate/M&A, Energy & Climate Change, Infrastructure & Projects, Funds, Life Sciences & Healthcare, TMC, Tax, Banking & Finance, Commercial, Competition & EU, Dispute Resolution, Employment & Pensions, Intellectual Property and Real Estate.

For more information, please visit cms.law

About Dentons

Dentons is the world's largest law firm, connecting top-tier talent to the world's challenges and opportunities with 20,000 professionals including 12,000 lawyers, in more than 200 locations, in more than 80 countries. Dentons' polycentric and purpose-driven approach, commitment to inclusion and diversity, and award-winning client service challenge the status quo to advance client interests.

For more information, please visit www.dentons.com

About Herbert Smith Freehills

Operating from 26 offices across Asia Pacific, EMEA and North America, Herbert Smith Freehills is at the heart of the new global business landscape providing premium quality, full-service legal advice. The firm provides many of the world’s most important organisations with access to market-leading dispute resolution, projects and transactional legal advice, combined with expertise in a number of global industry sectors, including Banks, Consumer products, Energy, Financial buyers, Infrastructure & Transport, Mining, Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare, Real estate, TMT and Manufacturing & Industrials.

Follow us online:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hsflegal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/herbert-smith-freehills/
Web: https://www.herbertsmithfreehills.com/

For further information, please contact:
Corinne McPartland
T: 020 7466 2057
E: Corinne.mcpartland@hsf.com

About Linklaters LLP

Linklaters is a leading global law firm, supporting and investing in the future of our clients wherever they do business. We combine legal expertise with a collaborative and innovative approach to help clients navigate constantly evolving markets and regulatory environments, pursuing opportunities and managing risk worldwide. Our 5,200 people, of which almost half are lawyers, are located across 31 offices in 21 countries. In order to offer our clients the highest quality advice, our lawyers across three divisions; Corporate, Dispute Resolution and Finance, specialise in industry sectors as well as practice areas.

Linklaters’ Legal Operations team uses the best combination of people, process, tech and data to deliver the highest quality legal advice more efficiently and at the right price. A global network of business experts works closely with Linklaters lawyers to provide bespoke client solutions across four key areas: Alternative Legal Services, Innovation & Efficiency, Knowledge & Learning, and Pricing.

The firm launched its Legal Operations Graduate Scheme in 2020 which offers the opportunity to learn a wide variety of transferable and sought-after business skills, deep industry knowledge and the freedom to achieve and think differently. Find out more here.

About Norton Rose Fulbright

Norton Rose Fulbright is a global law firm. The firm provides the world’s pre-eminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. Norton Rose Fulbright has more than 3,700 lawyers based in over 50 cities across Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East.

Recognized for its industry focus, the firm is strong across all the key industry sectors: financial institutions; energy, infrastructure and resources; consumer markets, transport; technology; and life sciences and healthcare. Through its global risk advisory group, the firm leverages its industry experience with its knowledge of legal, regulatory, compliance and governance issues to provide clients with practical solutions to the legal and regulatory risks facing their businesses.

Wherever the firm is, it operates in accordance with its global business principles of quality, unity and integrity. Norton Rose Fulbright aims to provide the highest possible standard of legal service in each of its offices and to maintain that level of quality at every point of contact.

Norton Rose Fulbright Verein, a Swiss verein, helps coordinate the activities of Norton Rose Fulbright members but does not itself provide legal services to clients. Norton Rose Fulbright has offices in more than 50 cities worldwide, including London, Houston, Toronto, Sydney and Johannesburg.

For more information, see nortonrosefulbright.com

About Slaughter and May

Slaughter and May is a leading international law firm with a worldwide corporate, commercial, disputes and financing practice.

The firm advises its clients on a broad range of corporate and financial matters including M&A, securities issues, financings, disputes and investigations, competition, tax, financial regulation, real estate, environment, pensions and employment and IP/IT. Slaughter and May’s blue chip client list includes a broad range of industrial and commercial companies, utilities, private equity funds, banks and insurance companies, as well as governments and public authorities. The firm has more FTSE 350 clients and clients listed on the London Stock Exchange than any other law firm.

International work is central to Slaughter and May’s practice. The firm has offices in Beijing, Brussels and Hong Kong. In addition, the firm has established close working relationships with some of the leading independent law firms around the world with whom it creates integrated teams to provide a seamless service on cross-border transactions.

We have a reputation for excellence built throughout our 130 year history. With the help of our Legal Operations teams, the firm has consistently innovated to drive positive change both for and with our clients, while upholding the highest of standards.

The firm launched its Legal Operations Graduate Scheme in 2021. Graduates who join the scheme will be exposed to a range of important disciplines such as Business Intelligence & Pricing, Legal Project Management, Knowledge and Innovation by working in the central Legal Operations teams, within the practice and on secondment to a client.

To find out more please contact:
Alexandra Woods
T: 020 7090 3044
E: Alexandra.Woods@SlaughterandMay.com