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- The firm: The firm’s goals are always to exceed clients’ expectations and to provide a more attractive place to work than its competitors. An open and friendly culture, combined with a strong commitment to career development, has made the firm a magnet for quality staff. Since 2007, the firm has recruited 19 leading partners and has promoted from within. BLP was awarded the UK Law Firm of the Year 2008 at the Chambers Europe Awards for Excellence and has previously been awarded the title of Law Firm of the Year by both Chambers and The Lawyer. In both 2007 and 2008 a panel of independent experts named BLP as the UK's Top Legal Employer by Sweet & Maxwell and in 2008 and 2009 the firm was included as one of the Sunday Times Best 100 Companies to Work For. Main Areas of Practice: The firm has particular strengths in real estate, corporate and finance, as well as strong capabilities in dispute resolution and tax. Highly ranked industry sector groups include: Betting and Gaming, Defence, Energy, Healthcare, Hotels, Leisure, Media, Outsourcing, Public Sector, Real Estate Investment Trusts, Retail, Technology and Telecoms, Transport, and Water. International: The firm manages international, cross-border transactions by bringing together legal minds from around the world in ways that are tailor-made to meet individual clients’ needs. It carefully selects from a panel of preferred firms, chosen for the quality of their expertise and their commitment to client service, not on the basis of the volume of work they refer. Clients are free to choose which firms they use, the level of project management required and the most appropriate billing arrangements. The international preferred firm approach won Best Client Initiative at the Managing Partners’ Forum European Practice Management in 2008. Where English legal support is required locally, BLP has invested in offices in high-growth emerging markets like Abu Dhabi, Moscow and Singapore. These are in addition to offices in Paris and Brussels, who support the London office and the international preferred firm network. CSR: The firm has developed a range of volunteering programmes to contribute to local communities and all were are offered one day a year paid time off to take part in one of these schemes or in a fundraising initiative organised for the firm’s Charity of the Year. Almost 30% of staff are actively involved in its CSR programme. Independent analysis suggests that similar sized organisations should be aiming for 10-15% staff engagement. In 2009/10 the firm is supporting the Teenage Cancer Trust, which aims to ensure that every young person with cancer and their family receives the best possible care and professional support. The firm’s charities committee organises a programme of fundraising events and activities, combined with volunteering opportunities and planned visits to some of the charity’s projects in order to foster a sense of personal involvement as well as financial support. BLP is committed to nurturing talent and support five young athletes in their endeavours to represent Britain in 2012. They are Junior Wimbledon Champion Laura Robson, middle distance runner Emily Pidgeon, sprinter Wade Bennett-Jackson, Paralympic swimmer Louise Watkin and BLP lawyer Jill Parker who is a triathlete. Recruitment: BLP recruits around 40 trainee solicitors each year. A brochure and application details are available on the website. BLP’s Lawyers on Demand programme provides a new and unique resourcing option for in-house legal teams. This initiative won the Client Service award at the FT Innovative Lawyer Awards in 2008.
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