SJ Berwin associates flag up alternative career path

SJ Berwin associates flag up alternative career path" />Alternative career paths and flexible working were top of the agenda at SJ Berwin's first associate solicitor forum.

The 14-member body, chaired by associate Gretchen Scott, met on 22 November for the first time since partner and associate members from each of the firm's practice groups were elected in October.

Members discussed a range of topics, including the possibility of launching an alternative career path, implementation of the flexible working policy and corporate and social responsibility.

Scott said: "The group is discussing whether or not the firm needs an alternative career path and if so what form it would take.

"There is a number of firms which have introduced a new structure, but it's not a matter of keeping up with the Joneses.

"You have to carefully consider a particular structure and if it's something the associates want."

The associate solicitor forum meets once a month, but every alternate month the associate members meet without the partners present to put forward discussion ideas and key topics to be addressed at the meeting with the partners present.

"The idea is to allow time for all the associate members to get together and decide what will be discussed at the forum," explained Scott. "This works really well and provides a good opportunity for everyone to get together."

He added that the group aims to aid communication and transparency on management issues at SJ Berwin.