LawCare: Achieving a healthy working culture in law

Posted on22 May 2024

by Elizabeth Rimmer, CEO, LawCare

A few weeks ago, I was part of my son’s school careers fair to raise awareness about working in the third sector, but as my bio mentioned I was a solicitor, I had a steady stream of young people come and talk to me about a legal career. There were a range of reasons offered as to why the law was a potential path; top of the list – ‘I want to help people’, expressing a strong interest in human rights/international issues/crime; second - ‘I loved Legally Blonde or Suits’, and coming in third - ‘I want to earn lots of money, I’ve heard that lawyers earn more than bankers’.

I had a few questions I wasn’t expecting, from parents who knew that law has a reputation for being a highly pressured environment and were concerned about the impact of this on the wellbeing of their son or daughter. Despite my familiarity with the pressures of a career in the law, I was upbeat, highlighting the wide range of practice areas and environments in which you can work and the reward that comes from helping people/organisations with their legal issues and getting your head around complex problems.

On the drive home, I reflected on my experience of talking about working in the legal sector with people who don’t know much about it. As I am often immersed in a narrative around law that mainly focuses on the problems and challenges in our sector, it was inspiring that most of the young people I spoke to were attracted to the law because they wanted to help people, drawn from their personal interests and values. A reflection perhaps of the times we live in and the growing trend that the younger generation are seeking purposeful work that contributes to social good. But I expect many people in our profession, when they first thought about a career in the law, were drawn to it for similar reasons.

Read the remainder of the Law Society Gazette article here >>

Burges Salmon has been an enthusiastic supporter of BLS for many years. BLS provides a valuable role in uniting and promoting the whole of the legal sector across Bristol to benefit both its members and the city. It facilitates collaboration across the sector to ensure that we can all make a difference. Whether that is driving important initiatives in, for example, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the use of new technologies, liaising with stakeholders and charities in our wider community or providing training to generations of lawyers, the service and support provided by BLS is invaluable. More recently BLS has taken a lead on promoting Bristol’s legal brand, encouraging legal and business services talent to come to the city, which in turn attracts clients and inward investment to our thriving and vibrant commercial community. BLS breaks down barriers and brings those in the profession together for the greater good. We are proud of our long-standing association with BLS.
Roger Bull - Managing Partner, Burges Salmon
Three things to say about my experience of working with Bristol Law Society. Their central team, council members and general hangers-on are just about the nicest, most generous group of people working in the legal sector today. The numerous events, awards, socials and conferences I’ve had the pleasure to attend over the years have been, without exception, top quality and supremely organised. And, thirdly, they consistently exceed and challenge the boundaries of what lawyers might assume a regional Law Society will restrict activities to – from a hugely successful charitable school meals drive to corporate social responsibility and diversity campaigns to being joint architects and coordinators of the region’s unique Bristol+BathLegalTech group, which it has been my privilege to co-chair for the last five years.
Chris Bull - Principal, Edge International
As one of the leading Insurance brokers for law firms in the UK and with a large presence in Bristol it seemed only natural for us to support the Bristol Law Society. Bristol Law Society is one of the oldest and most vibrant of the Law Societies in England and Wales. We are pleased to be working with them on important matters relating to law firms’ liability insurances and Risk Management. From Sole Practitioner to Top 20 law firms we are sure our two organisations can provide excellent support and assistance for the challenges faced by the legal profession.
Matthew Baker - Financial Lines Group, Howden Insurance Brokers Ltd
Joining BLS in 2013 and becoming President in 2018/19 has created many longstanding friendships and business relationships, whilst also unlocking doors to other opportunities in the City. BLS enabled a perfect balance of professional development and also opportunities to give back to the legal and wider community. I am pleased that my Firm has supported BLS in many capacities since 2013 and continues to do so.
Nicholas Lee- Managing Director of Paragon Costs Solutions and Past President of BLS