Shulmans launch recruitment drive

Shulmans has started its drive to recruit more top people for key areas of growth including corporate finance, corporate/commercial, employment, commercial litigation, construction; commercial property and residential development.  

At a recent event hosted by Shulmans for recruitment agents an external consultancy presented their findings from research with recent recruits as to why they wanted to join Shulmans. The firnding of the research were as follows:

Background

Northern Lights, Shulmans’ PR agency, recently interviewed partners, associates, solicitors and non-legal managers who joined Shulmans during the last 18 months. The research will be used to help the firm recruit the best people.

Recruitment process

“ ..he (agent) said I would be impressed by Shulmans.”

• Recruitment agents have a pivotal role in influencing lawyers looking to move firms

• Everyone interviewed had used a recruitment agency, relying on their expertise and knowledge to tell them who was out there in the Leeds market and to draw up shortlists

• Some agents’ perception of Shulmans seemed to be out-dated

Factors influencing decisions

“I didn’t want to be just another number”

• Looking for opportunities to grow their own area of expertise

• Some people mentioned feeling like a number in larger firms so they wanted to move to a smaller practice where they could have greater impact and responsibility

• Most people were looking for transparent career progression, including for non-solicitors

• Wanted evidence that the firm was a commercial and business-focused practice with high quality clients and deals

• The dynamics of the team was seen as vital and it was important to feel you could get along with colleagues

Why Shulmans?

“Career progression follows your performance and I was confident that there were opportunities to make the most of my abilities here.”

• Quality of people – in particular those partners, associates and other colleagues who impressed during recruitment process

• Great clients and deals

• Career progression made clear at interviews

• Able to make a difference and scope for developing own department

• Great culture and values – not macho or snobby

 A great place to work

“It’s a great place to work, but only when you get here will you know that.”

“Shulmans will appeal to talented lawyers who want both a work/life balance and high quality work.”

“In my field we have a client base and reputation that is second to none.  Shulmans is one of the top smaller/medium sized firms in the country….. I didn’t know that before I joined.  We need to shout about our clients and our deals.”

“It’s a very personal firm and that comes out in the work.  It’s hard to get a feel for that unless you meet Tim, or until you come to work here.”

For more information contact Shulmans' HR Manager Geraldine Shaw on 0113 2977732 or at gshaw@shulmans.co.uk

News date 25th January 2008