Half the partners in BLM's Southampton office have resigned.
Eight partners have handed in their notices including the head of the Southampton and Bristol offices, Michael Renshaw, RollOnFriday has learned.
According to inside sources, the fleeing partners are citing management issues and the salary and bonus system as their reasons for leaving BLM. Although presumably Renshaw thought his own management skills were passable. There are, says one source, "more disillusioned partners waiting in the wings", and claims other lawyers and non-fee-earners are also expected to leave. Which is perhaps not surprising given that a lot of work is presumably about to walk out the door.
The firm endured a pasting from staff in the RollOnFriday Firm of the Year 2016 survey, in which it came fourth from bottom with a score of just 33% (which is generally awarded for being a law firm and having an office). Its lawyers said that the firm's pay was "horrendous", with one adding "you should look into it - it really is a complete joke". Others claimed there was "terrible communication from the top" and a "totally opaque" bonus system. Employees have apparently got so used to departures they have found a novel silver lining: "Members of staff leave and are not replaced which means there is room to stretch out on spare desks". Following news that BLM is making mass redundancies in Manchester, they are likely to have at least one office each.
A spokeswoman for BLM confirmed that it had received "a number of resignations". But although half the office is about to vanish, she said BLM does not "anticipate any impact on our existing relationships" with clients, who have all "assured" the firm "of their continuing support". So all fine then.
Tip Off ROF
Eight partners have handed in their notices including the head of the Southampton and Bristol offices, Michael Renshaw, RollOnFriday has learned.
According to inside sources, the fleeing partners are citing management issues and the salary and bonus system as their reasons for leaving BLM. Although presumably Renshaw thought his own management skills were passable. There are, says one source, "more disillusioned partners waiting in the wings", and claims other lawyers and non-fee-earners are also expected to leave. Which is perhaps not surprising given that a lot of work is presumably about to walk out the door.
"Nobody start running until we're round the corner" |
The firm endured a pasting from staff in the RollOnFriday Firm of the Year 2016 survey, in which it came fourth from bottom with a score of just 33% (which is generally awarded for being a law firm and having an office). Its lawyers said that the firm's pay was "horrendous", with one adding "you should look into it - it really is a complete joke". Others claimed there was "terrible communication from the top" and a "totally opaque" bonus system. Employees have apparently got so used to departures they have found a novel silver lining: "Members of staff leave and are not replaced which means there is room to stretch out on spare desks". Following news that BLM is making mass redundancies in Manchester, they are likely to have at least one office each.
A spokeswoman for BLM confirmed that it had received "a number of resignations". But although half the office is about to vanish, she said BLM does not "anticipate any impact on our existing relationships" with clients, who have all "assured" the firm "of their continuing support". So all fine then.
Comments
260
302
(Though hard to feel sorry for all these insurance firms who spent the last 10 years merrily lobbying themselves out of a future)
246
317
232
312
Someone is splashing the cash !
256
292
274
272
280
293
239
296
270
255
291
299
Nice to hear from BLM's HR Department
247
313
291
296
249
322
291
273
260
293
263
284
It's the culture and half witted management that have always let it down. Oh and the egos.
277
303
259
312
261
312
This second attempt could be the Titanic sequel.
258
300
If it is true BLM have lost it that's a telling sign.
257
318
248
327
254
299
266
291
Favouritism was rife when I worked there but its such a crazy place that you may be flavour of the month one minute then ignored the next. No rhyme or reason. The moods of the supervising partners changed more than the weather. Perfect set up for a reality TV show.
232
313
274
286
244
297
239
326
266
280
The panic is seeping around the offices.
272
296
221
329
264
282
263
285
289
305
There's a firm there doing the same work who will always consider strong candidates. ;)
271
292
276
278
The 'firm in Evesham' couldn't be the one that's run so catastrophically badly that it's just emerged from administration? BLM may not be coming out of these comments looking very good, but that has to be the most idiotic suggestion in the history of RoF.
260
304
263
298
267
297
274
295
260
291
274
294
Great.
261
292
282
288
263
289
254
319
265
275
Long gone are the days of the 'ginger ninja' a truly delightful NSP who made everyone feel valued. As stated by another commenter 'new' isn't always good.
Grab a bag of popcorn and watch the show its looking like a grand finale!!