Trowers introduces post of managing associate

The new route, available for applications from 1 July, will provide an alternative to partnership, with lawyers instead taking the post of managing associate.

Head of HR Paul Robinson said Trowers’ management board was prompted to consider the alternative path in response to feedback from a consultation on its newly introduced merit-based pay structure.

“The feedback from the consultation was that this new role would be recognition for people who are senior lawyers but do not carry the title of partner,” he said.

“There are various things that may impact on an individual’s desire to be a partner - not everybody has that as their ultimate goal. But going into this ­alternative path doesn’t mean they couldn’t become partners in the future.”

The new managing associate role will involve less focus on business development and bringing in new clients than the traditional partnership route.

Remuneration will be set by a merit-based system, but is expected to be significantly lower than that received by partners.

Robinson added: “We’ll not be appointing anybody to the level of managing associate as of 1 July, but we want people to nominate themselves from that date.”