Lewis Silkin lauded for its rockhopper HR and employment law offering in this year’s FT Innovative Lawyer Awards

LONDON – rockhopper, the pioneering low-cost, fixed-fee HR and employment law service from top 100 UK law firm Lewis Silkin LLP, has been commended as ‘Standout’ in this year’s FT Innovative Lawyers awards in the Innovation in Human Resources category.

Launched just 18 months ago, rockhopper provides fixed cost employment law support to organisations through a team of experienced, qualified and specialist employment solicitors, who give practical and commercial advice. The lawyers work flexibly from home using technology to support them. rockhopper provides alternative career tracks for Lewis Silkin lawyers as their personal, geographic and family circumstances change.

Regarding the accolade, the FT noted that the service “enables experienced employment lawyers to work remotely and part-time for clients which on occasion can be at 50 per cent of the usual cost.” As well as meeting evolving client needs, the service “proved exceptionally popular with staff” because it has enabled a different work-life balance. As a result, retention rates of lawyers with children has increased and geographic flexibility for lawyers has been enhanced, with the cost savings passed directly to clients.

Now in its 11th year, the FT Innovative Lawyer Awards has grown to celebrate legal innovation in more than 50 different countries across both private practice and in-house legal teams.

Laura Farnsworth, partner and head of rockhopper, commented:

“We are delighted that rockhopper has been recognised for its innovation in terms of both providing clients with high-quality service and meeting the needs of our talented team members. rockhopper is an area of key growth for our practice, and an important part of our market-leading employment law offering.”

James Davies, divisional managing partner and joint head of employment at Lewis Silkin LLP, added:

“Receiving this accolade from one of the most prestigious award schemes for innovation in legal services is truly gratifying, and a testament to the commitment of Lewis Silkin to respond to the needs of our people and provide our clients with new and innovative services to meet their ever-changing needs.”