Ashurst rolls out initiative to train up partners in better client management

Ashurst rolls out initiative to train up partners in better client management

Posted: 22 July 2010 | Provided by: Legal Week | Browse more news

Ashurst has rolled out a new global key client strategy in an effort to improve the firm's relationships with its most important clients.

The initiative, dubbed 'Turning Common Sense into Common Practice', aims to strengthen the firm's ties with in-house legal teams and key business decision-makers. A structured training programme for partners will feature skills-based workshops covering areas such as pitching and marketing, run in conjunction with a series of external consultants.

The initiative is being led by senior partner Charlie Geffen and supported by banking partner Lee Doyle (pictured), who joined the firm last year from The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), where he was UK head of corporate and restructuring.

Doyle was brought in with a remit to boost Ashurst's client relationships through his experience as an in- house lawyer.

The scheme will primarily focus on the firm's banking practice, but will also include lawyers from all practice areas.

Ashurst declined to name any specific clients that the strategy will focus on, but the firm has important relationships with a number of banks including RBS, Lloyds Bank, Santander, Credit Agricole and Credit Suisse.

Doyle commented: "It is hoped that over time the programme will improve client engagement and combined with the continued delivery of first-class legal services, this will solidify and institutionalise our existing relationships."

Head of restructuring Mark Vickers, who is also involved in the initiative, commented: "Since the beginning of the financial crisis, we have seen a demonstrable trend of businesses concentrating their legal spend on a small group of law firms with 'trusted adviser status'. Many of these businesses have been affected by market upheaval and organisational change, and this initiative will help us to continue to respond to these changes in a co-ordinated way."

By Friederike Heine

Providers website: Legal Week
Date: 22 July 2010
Listed in: Marketing, General news
More news: View all Legal Week news

More news

^ Return to top