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Why law firm bosses need to be more visible than ever
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a deeper layer of communication to be instilled in law firms – from the big boss to the junior staffers.
Emma Musgrave
Speaking to Lawyers Weekly, Maddocks chief executive David Newman said his firm is putting its people first, ensuring that all staff are guaranteed a happy, safe and effective working environment, despite the challenges that can come as a result of remote working.
“This means regular communications to the firm, ranging from live town hall forums and video messages, attendance at different team weekly meetings, through to regular email communications on important decisions related to the pandemic.
“The firm’s overall response to COVID-19 has been to place the wellbeing of our people front and centre. For some of our non-legal staff whose roles were most impacted by the office closure, measures we have taken have been geared to making sure we kept all of our people employed and doing meaningful work so that we could maintain a high level of service for our clients during and post-COVID.”
Mr Newman noted the firm has played an active role in broadening resources and equipment when needed.
“Wherever a role required it, we have provided funding for technology for home use, such as monitors and ergonomic chairs, and provided a constant stream of information to all of our people on maintaining physical and mental wellbeing,” he explained.
This consistent messaging, coupled with making himself visible to all employees, has encouraged greater communication and given people the confidence to speak up, according to Mr Newman.
“We have also made sure our people were heard. We have been sending regular surveys on a range of topics to understand what in the firm’s response to the pandemic has been working and what needed improvement,” he said.
“The results of these surveys are reported back to the firm and actions taken widely communicated.
“We have also held regular online firm-wide town halls and team-based information sessions to answer any and all questions raised by our people in as transparent and direct way as possible.”
Are you looking at ways to maximise your competitive edge both now and in a post-pandemic environment?
Lawyers Weekly’s Boutique Law Summit returns to Sydney this month, designed for SME firms and sole practitioners. The event will be held on Friday, 26 March at the Four Seasons Hotel with a full agenda available to view here.
To learn more about the event, click here.
Emma Musgrave
Emma Musgrave (née Ryan) is the managing editor, professional services at Momentum Media.
Emma has worked for Momentum Media since 2015, including five years spent as the editor of the company's legal brand - Lawyers Weekly. Throughout her time at Momentum, she has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest stories in corporate Australia. In addition, she has produced exclusive multimedia and event content related to the company's respective brands and audiences.
Prior to joining Momentum Media, Emma worked in breakfast radio, delivering news to the Central West region of NSW, before taking on a radio journalist role at Southern Cross Austereo, based in Townsville, North Queensland.
She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree from Charles Sturt University.
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