The Law Society of South Africa’s mentorship initiative for law firms, Synergy Link, sees ‘growing’ law firms linked to established ‘transferring’ law firms’.
The objective is the empowerment of ‘growing’ firms – especially black-owned law firms – to specialise in fields of practice or enter new fields with confidence. The LSSA Synergy Link sees this being achieved through creative relationships where one firm transfers leadership competency to another. The ‘transferring’ firm will provide guidance in business models, systems and strategy development and transfer of skills in specialised areas of legal work. The practice‘Empowerment’ does not mean ‘twinning’ in the sense of both firms being appointed to deal with one matter. Synergy will include
These activities are scheduled at times and locations agreed to by the parties. To ensure success, the ‘transferring’ firm and the ‘growing’ firm conclude an agreement, and progress reports are submitted to LEAD. Expectations are agreed upfront and included in an outcomes-based format. An individual in each of the firms serves as programme leader. Although individuals will be tasked to provide and undergo development, the relationship will focus on the ‘growing’ firm as a business entity. Mutually beneficial relationships
The link between the ‘transferring’ firm and ‘growing’ firm can promote mutually beneficial mentoring and business relationships. Ultimate goalThe ultimate goal of the LSSA Synergy Link programme is to maintain and enhance the professional standards, prestige and standing of the profession and of all its members. The ‘link’ between two firms
Benefits for Transferring Firms
From theory to practice: The role of third parties
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