Legal firm standing out from the crowd

A number of legal firms continue to battle it out in the Best Companies League tables this year.  However, the front runner is Penninsula Business Services and is a new entrant into the league table – landing in 3rd place overall. And its doing something a little different.

It is the only legal firm whose managers score amongst the highest in the league tables with 92% of employees feeling their manager showed appreciation for a good job.  The other legal firms that appear in the Best Companies list typically compete for position based on their fair deal, personal growth, wellbeing and/or social responsibility practices. 

What is interesting here is the common focus on clear and effective HR practices by the majority of the legal firms making it into the Best Companies lists.  Yet, Penninsula’s focus instead on the behaviours of its managers and their relationship with employees makes them stand out in this sector.  Peninsula’s managing director insists on a caring and hands on approach to personal issues.  They train managers to identify tell-tale signs of personal issues such as lateness, changes in character, aggressive behaviour or changes in performance.

Will this new entrant into the league table cause the other firms to change tack this year and start focusing on the behaviours of their leaders, managers and teams to gain a competitive edge? 

Below is the list of legal firms in this year’s league tables

Small companies table

 Source: Best Companies 2014