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
301
349
(Though hard to feel sorry for all these insurance firms who spent the last 10 years merrily lobbying themselves out of a future)
292
343
263
346
Someone is splashing the cash !
295
326
304
308
323
336
274
324
303
290
326
327
Nice to hear from BLM's HR Department
279
351
328
324
290
363
315
316
293
341
300
325
It's the culture and half witted management that have always let it down. Oh and the egos.
304
340
296
347
286
343
This second attempt could be the Titanic sequel.
282
350
If it is true BLM have lost it that's a telling sign.
295
367
281
372
296
338
305
326
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.
275
353
310
321
281
333
279
356
302
307
The panic is seeping around the offices.
302
340
258
366
302
315
302
330
318
341
There's a firm there doing the same work who will always consider strong candidates. ;)
317
329
310
311
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.
291
340
308
334
304
338
308
330
295
321
300
344
Great.
298
340
323
326
299
323
302
350
301
318
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!!