Chapman Tripp Takes Steps To Fight The Brain Drain

Leading law firm Chapman Tripp today announced new strategies to encourage their brightest and best to stay in New Zealand.

Unveiling plans to staff today, Chief Executive Alastair Carruthers said the firm recognised that in order to keep excellent solicitors the firm needed to think creatively and offer incentives that were of real value to staff.

Mr Carruthers said that in recent years there had been increased pressure on keeping good solicitors.

“It is important that our clients are being advised by the best people, and that there is a strong level of continuity in our teams.”

“We acknowledge that the ‘brain drain’ affects professional service firms more strongly than most, with the lure of large salaries in the UK and US markets.”

“New Zealand employers are never going to be able to match international salary offers. But we can offer excellent career development, relief from student debt, and better quality of life through sabbaticals and better hours than are expected overseas.”

The firm has developed a new strategy which will see solicitors who are performing well after two years receiving incentive payments and other benefits in return for a commitment to stay.

“Our research has told us that providing individual career planning is the backbone of retention. We are therefore offering our solicitors a career commitment programme with financial incentives if they agree to stay with the firm for two or three year periods.

“Most solicitors have considerable student debt, so we have devised a scheme where student loans may be repaid by the firm in return for a commitment to stay.”

Mr Carruthers also announced that solicitors who have been with the firm for five continuous years will be offered four weeks’ paid sabbatical leave (in addition to regular annual leave provisions).

“At that stage in their careers staff may wish to travel or to take a breather. By offering the equivalent of eight weeks paid annual leave after five years, solicitors can travel, study or simply recharge while ensuring their careers remain on track.”

“Our goal is to be New Zealand’s pre-eminent law firm, and we are committed to attracting, motivating and retaining the highest quality lawyers.”

“If we can encourage New Zealand’s brightest and best lawyers to stay, it’s good for our team and good for our clients.”

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For further information:

Alastair Carruthers

Chief Executive

Ph (04) 498 6304 or (09) 357 9037

Mobile (025) 241 3004

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