The Guide to Retaining Talent in Smaller Law Firms outlines the financial and organisational cost of losing talent, along with changes that can be made to improve staff retention such as:

• Understanding what a firm’s staff value
• Creating a culture people want to be part of
• Building clear career pathways
• Offering realistic work-life balance
• Strengthening leadership and supervisory capability
• Improving learning and development

Law Society of Scotland president, Patricia Thom, said: “This new guide is full of insights and practical tips for smaller firms to retain the people who drive their business’s success and the services that clients depend on.

“I know from personal experience that smaller firms can sometimes feel at a disadvantage when it comes to attracting and retaining staff, but this guide makes it clear how many positives there are that should be promoted to colleagues and developed to their full potential.

“Smaller firms are a vital part of Scotland’s legal sector. This guide is one of several new initiatives the Law Society has developed to help smaller firms grasp opportunities and deal with the challenges of running their businesses.”

The guide has been developed in collaboration with Professional Training, a legal sector focused training company with a focus on staff retention.