It is central to our strategy that we nurture and sustain a culture of knowledge sharing, and offer all our people the very best in continuous learning opportunities.
Linklaters Law & Business School
The Linklaters Law & Business School provides the overarching framework for learning to support the professional development of our people worldwide. The training, which is delivered by in-house professionals, is accredited. The school has an external advisory board comprising knowledge and learning specialists who provide insights, market knowledge and global expertise. We are the first professional services firm to introduce an advisory board focused exclusively on knowledge and learning as a core component of our strategy. Judith Shepherd, General Counsel for Barclays Capital, has joined the advisory board this year. The school comprises global technical and skills workshops, online learning, video-streamed seminars, executive coaching, peer-reviewed publications and other activities to support career development.
Coaching faculty
In 2007, Linklaters became the first law firm to establish an internal coaching faculty to support the development of both lawyers and our Business Services people. We now have a trained faculty of 38 internal coaches in 10 offices. In 2009, our internal coaching programme was further enhanced by the establishment of a development programme for all internal coaches. The rigour around training and continuing professional development will ensure the quality of the coaching is of the highest level. Feedback from those who have received internal coaching has been universally positive.
There are many reasons why our people may benefit from coaching. Examples include: creating a meaningful development plan with well-considered goals to drive their performance, developing skills, managing work life balance, working through the transition period following promotion and dealing with difficult professional relationships. Coaching has been particularly helpful for those on track for partnership or approaching a senior promotion in Business Services.
Global Talent Programme - Business Services
The Global Talent Programme targets our “high potential” Business Services advisers, with the aim of developing a globally aware, cross-functional group of future leaders across the firm.
Each year a cohort of 16 individuals is selected from across Business Services globally. These individuals go through a challenging selection process, which involves submitting an initial application as well as an interview and case study with their Regional COO and HR manager.
" I really appreciate the training, mentoring and development opportunities on the Business Services Global Talent Programme. My secondment is about to take me to our New York office where I will gain new skills and exposure to new opportunities." Leilani Weier, Environment Manager, London.
