LawCare and Academics Launch Fit for Law Part 2: Working With Others

Posted on13 March 2023

LawCare are pleased to announce the launch of their new free online course for legal professionals about working with others.

Go to the new course

LawCare have collaborated with academics at The University of Sheffield and The Open University to create this second part of the Fit for Law series; an on-going programme to promote psychologically and emotionally healthier ways of working in the law.

The course takes 2 to 4 hours in total to complete but is broken down into smaller sections and includes videos from legal professionals discussing the ways they work and communicate with others. The topics covered include:

working effectively with clients
working effectively with colleagues, and
collaborating with third parties.

This new ‘Working with others’ course, and the first part of Fit for Law which is about managing and understanding yourself, is available to everyone studying law or working in the legal profession in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man and could be used as CPD in some jurisdictions. Please make sure you enrol and login so that you can complete the interactive activities and get a Statement of Participation on completion.

Elizabeth Rimmer, CEO of LawCare said: “This new course is an opportunity to focus on the relationships which are part of day-to-day life for legal professionals, and to further their skills on how to approach and manage these. Healthy working relationships with colleagues and clients foster a positive working environment and are the bedrock of a culture that treats people with respect. We know from our work at LawCare the detrimental impact poor relationships in the workplace can have on mental wellbeing; this course will help legal professionals to feel more confident in raising concerns, managing client relationships and understanding what may be driving challenging behaviour in others.”

Dr Emma Jones of the University of Sheffield said: “Most legal professionals interact regularly with other people in the workplace, whether that's clients, colleagues or third parties. ‘Working with others’ recognises that these interactions can affect individuals' and teams' wellbeing in a range of different ways. It seeks to provide evidence-based practical guidance on how to deal with some of the challenges that commonly arise.”

Fit for Law Part 2 Working with others Emma Jones article 600 words March 2023

For more information visit www.lawcare.org.uk/fitforlaw

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