Addleshaws adopts mentoring scheme

Addleshaw Goddard has launched a mentoring scheme as part of its alternative career path alongside the new position of managing associate.

The scheme sees partners from all practice areas and the firm's offices in Leeds, London and Manchester guiding associates to promotion.

Last month the firm launched the initiative, with 134 associates being promoted on 1 September, as first revealed on www.lawyer2b. com (28 September).

Director of HR at Addleshaws Judith Hardy said: "The idea is that an associate will be assigned a partner after an assessment day.

"The partner will then help the associate work on areas that have been highlighted and that need to be worked on in order to be promoted to managing associate."

Associates considered for promotion are given a mentor after attending a workshop assessment day at the firm's offsite development centre.

Addleshaws partners have been asked to volunteer for the mentoring roles. There are currently 32 partners taking part in the scheme. Hardy said: "The idea is that it not only helps the associates get on their way to becoming managing associates, but it also helps to develop and build communication between partners and associates."

In September's promotions 33 associates were made managing associates in Leeds, 63 in London and 38 in the firm's Manchester office.