“LAW, LESS ORDINARY” is the motto of this law firm founded in 1832 by Michael Browne, the then coroner for Nottingham. The company has been growing ever since and has offices in the Midlands, London, Manchester and Exeter. In 2012, the head office in Nottingham relocated to an open-plan building, bringing together its employees there under one roof for the first time. The firm celebrated by throwing a party for staff and their families, and made sure that those who were away from the workplace, for instance on maternity leave, were invited. And on moving day, the managing partner, Iain Blatherwick, hosted a series of “bacon butty” sessions, to welcome staff to the building. This inclusive approach is one reason why staff say they are proud to work for Browne Jacobson LLP (an 81% positive score) and believe they can make a valuable contribution to the organisation's success (another 81%). The full-service law firm describes itself as a “genuine alternative” to large national and international legal businesses. It prides itself on treating employees as individuals, each of whom, they say, brings their own distinctive contribution to the workplace. For example, the company created a bespoke induction and training programme for a trainee solicitor who was unable to undertake a full-time training contract for health reasons. Staff agree that the firm is run on strong values (74%) and that it has a social conscience (75%).
