Freshfields launches secondment scheme

Magic circle firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is rolling out a programme to ;formalise ;the ;way ­secondments are allocated across the firm.

Until now secondments were handled on an ad hoc basis, with clients requesting help and being offered the services of the first ­available person.

Corporate partner Julian Long worked alongside associate Richard Thexton, the practice group’s chief operating officer for six months from March, to set up the new system, which lists all available secondments on an internal database.

Now clients are required to make a business case for the need for a secondee, with all positions advertised on the database.

Anyone who wants to take up the placement must apply and will be interviewed within the firm.

The programme, which was piloted in the corporate group, is being rolled out across the firm.