Norton Rose creates three new forums to boost staff liaison

Norton Rose is the latest firm to jump aboard the management-staff liaison bandwagon by creating three staff forums - including one for associates and knowhow lawyers.

The firm is aiming for a "holistic" makeover of the workplace, according to London managing partner Deirdre Walker, who said: "People need to feel good about the environment they're in."

Since moving to new Thames-side offices on the South Bank in early 2007, it is understood that associate retention figures have improved by 10 per cent. The new offices physically united staff who were previously spread across six London locations.

The three new communication groups cater for associates, support staff and secretaries. A group for trainees was already in existence.

Walker said each would meet with management around three times a year, adding: "They're very much a listening exercise."

The new associate and knowhow lawyers' group will include 11 associates and one knowhow lawyer or paralegal, with more than half of the group made up of corporate finance and banking associates.