By Barbara Whittle
Earlier this year the LSSA launched two initiatives, one aimed at empowering small law firms and the other creating a forum for young lawyers to air their views and make an input on developments in the profession.
The LSSA empowerment initiative – LSSA Synergy Link – is aimed at linking experienced ‘transferring’ firms with ‘growing’, predominantly black-owned, firms. The ‘transferring’ firms will assist ‘growing’ firms to advance in various new practice fields. The pilot link is being rolled out in Gauteng, where Webber Wentzel has signed up as the first ‘transferring’ firm. Gauteng firms were invited to apply to be linked to Webber Wentzel.
In addition, LSSA chief executive officer Nic Swart held information sessions for firms wishing to make themselves available as skills ‘transferring’ firms in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg in May. A further meeting for firms will be held in Bloemfontein on 13 June 2012, with meetings in other centres planned for later this year.
‘Transferring’ firms set up their criteria for the link with the ‘growing’ firm and will receive recognition for their efforts in relevant media opportunities and at relevant events.
The young legal practitioners initiative started earlier this year with informal meetings between legal practitioners under the age of 35 and the LSSA in order to gauge an interest in and scope for such a forum. Due to an enthusiastic response, the initiative has been formalised and meetings with young practitioners are being arranged.
Compiled by Barbara Whittle, communication manager, Law Society of South Africa, barbara@lssa.org.za
This article was first published in De Rebus in 2012 (June) DR 14.
