• March 29, 2024
 From the bottom to the top!

From the bottom to the top!

A leading Essex law practice has recently announced the addition of a new partner to their firm. The appointment of solicitor, Caroline Dowding as partner at Birkett Long is even more intriguing as she is a long-standing member of the firm, having started there 15 years ago as a Legal Executive.

Caroline, who heads up the Wills and Probate Team at the Colchester office, said “Birkett Long gave me an opportunity to follow my dream of becoming a solicitor.”.

David Wisbey, Chairman at Birkett Long, added: “Caroline has done so well and come so far that she really deserves this achievement. She is a credit to herself and our team and I congratulate her.”.

Birkett Long LLP claim they can trace their roots back to 1821 and have offices throughout Essex with over 170 staff and 22 partners. They specialise in a wide range of legal practices and are committed to supporting the local community.

The great achievement of becoming partner at a law firm is attained only by a select few.

About 20% of law graduates have as their main target the obtaining of a partnership. Prior to becoming a partner, many law firms’ ladder to success include the roles of “Associate” and “Salaried Partner” before the profit-sharing status of partner can be reached.

The requirements of partnership differ from firm to firm and location base can often be a factor. A large proportion of law firms are keen to attract assistants with partnership potential. This is particularly true with city centre practices. However, if a solicitor is prepared to work outside of these areas, then the choice available may be broader. Potential partners would only need to demonstrate some capacity in conveyancing and executory skills, as well as a working knowledge of court procedures.

Does your firm have a good track record of promotion to partnership?

Many law firms are now developing alternative career structures by enhancing the status of associates. However, the definitive ambition for most solicitors in private practice is to become a partner. Law firms are partnerships and are therefore owned and managed by the partners (salaried partners have a similar status to full partners, but do not have a share in the firm). How long it would take to become a partner would depend on both the employee and the firm.

In general, solicitors can expect to wait at least 8 years or more for partnership at a large law firm, but this could lessen within a smaller firm. In reality, this would ultimately depend on the solicitor’s own abilities.

Many law firms now operate a ‘lockstep’ partnership system. This means that a new equity partner would not have the same share of the profits as a more senior partner. While this is the norm, a number of firms now have a share and remuneration structure based on partner profitability and revenue generated.

One development seen within the profession especially among the larger commercial firms is that partnership is no longer seen as a life-long tie to one law firm. A significant number of partners are changing firms in order to secure higher earnings, develop their practice in a different way or simply escape from their colleagues and a culture in which they no longer want to work.

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