Brought to you by Newcastle Helix.

Both Sides of the Desk. One boss. One employee. Talk work culture.

Host Charlie Charlton is caught between two key players from the international law firm Womble Bond Dickinson. On one side of the desk is Partner Ian Atkinson, on the other is Legal Director-turned-Salaried Partner Francesca Hodgson. They discuss how the legal industry is changing, including practical ways to encourage a diverse, sustainable workforce. 

They examine the various ways to engineer social mobility and to bring together a hybrid workforce under shared values. This includes the transformative impact of investing in a building where the best office space isn't for Partners' offices but for a staff canteen.

For Francesca, there are two ladders to climb: navigating her career in law with a working-class background, and the shift to Partner, which is a male-dominated position. That's despite way more women than men choosing a career in law. 

While Ian’s upbringing is different, he still understands the importance of sourcing talent from all walks of life. He shares how WBD achieves this through contextualised recruitment, and follows it up with flexible working patterns that work alongside clients' needs.

Listen to Charlie, Francesca, and Ian as they tackle some tricky topics.

 
CREDITS:

In conversation: Ian Atkinson & Francesca Hodgson - Womble Bond Dickinson

Producer/Presenter/Editor: Charlie Charlton 

Camera/Director: Chris Taylor 

Camera/Editor: Jordan McDonald 

Sound Producer: Andy Bell, Blast Studios 

Social Producer: Natalie Eminae, OCOCO 

Media Exec Producers: Newcastle Helix Partnership + John Seager 

In collaboration with Di Gates, Connection Heroes 

Filmed on location in The Lumen Building, Newcastle Helix Big thanks to the whole community of the Helix Innovation District in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England.

 You can also see Charlie Charlton and her guests in action:

https://www.youtube.com/@newcastlehelix2403


FURTHER READING:

 The Law Society: Building a more caring legal industry

https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/hr-and-people-management/building-a-more-caring-legal-industry

 Solicitor’s Regulation Authority: Diversity in law firms' workforce

https://www.sra.org.uk/sra/equality-diversity/diversity-profession/diverse-legal-profession/

 Law Gazette: Women make up 37% of law firm partners, new SRA figures show

https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/practice/women-make-up-37-of-law-firm-partners-new-sra-figures-show/5118209.article

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