Are you looking for your next opportunity in the legal sector?
Are you tired of working flat-out in your current firm and want to progress your career while maintaining a healthy work/life balance?
At F Barnes, our main priority is to look after our clients and achieve the best results for them. That's why we employ the best people and treat them just as well. All of our Legal Advisors are recruited for their forward-thinking attitudes, legal expertise, and exceptional client care skills.
We are committed to the continuous professional and personal development of every individual on our team. Our aim is not only to enable the firm to fulfil its strategic objectives but also to help our team members choose their personal career goals. We are a friendly firm, and we believe it’s important to feel comfortable in your workplace. Regular social activities and events are always part of our itinerary so that our staff may develop great relationships inside and outside the workplace.
Our people are our most important asset, and our continued success depends on their enthusiasm and dynamism.
Why work with us?
Progression
We are extremely supportive of progression and encourage our team members to achieve their personal goals. Whatever they may be. This means that there will be opportunities for you to grow in ways you feel will benefit your career. We also actively promote from within, hiring based on potential as well as current skills. We know value when we see it and want to invest our time and resources into the brightest candidates available.
“When I joined F Barnes, not only did I want to progress my legal career, but there were a few personal goals I wanted to achieve. For instance, I wanted to better my public speaking. The Directors knew I was nervous about this and have supported my attempts at bettering this. They offered me support and words of advice and not only wished me luck but also congratulated me afterwards. The Directors also give me feedback so I can better myself the next time. The Directors are now supporting me with my training, and I am undertaking the SQE to qualify as a Solicitor. This is something I've wanted to do for a very long time, and knowing I have the full support of not only the Directors but the firm has encouraged me to aim high and see how much further I can progress.”
Work/life balance
We firmly believe that we are only as strong as the sum of our parts and that our team should always have the opportunity to work in conditions that are well suited to them. Compared to other firms, we only encourage working past contracted hours if there are exceptional circumstances.
We also love hosting regular social events and we encourage our team to appreciate those they work with. We know that a healthy work-life balance will improve working relationships.
“I have worked at a number of firms who have all given the assurance that I wouldn’t be overworked and I would have a healthy work-life balance. Since joining F Barnes I can honestly say the Directors kept to their promise. Not only am I happier in my workplace, but I also have my weekends and evenings now. When I do occasionally work late the Directors recognise this. Not only am I thanked, but I am urged to take the time back at a later stage”.
Working together
We pride ourselves on the collaborative environment at F Barnes. Although we have three offices, our team members across our sites work excellently together, helped by each location's open-door policy. We all work towards the common goal of delivering our clients the highest-quality legal service possible. Staff from other firms frequently comment on how our team constantly strive to help one another, a testament to the united work environment we are proud to uphold.
“I love being part of the F Barnes team. We work very well together and help each other out with problems. We are a great bunch of people who look out for each other.”
Flexibility and Trust
We appreciate that all of our team members have different needs and, as such, seek to encourage flexible working if necessary. We know that our team members are capable—as long as they maintain our expected high standards, we will happily accommodate flexible working requests. We will work with you to ensure your working conditions are perfect so you can complete your best work.
“I have needed to change my working week considerably over the past few months due to personal reasons. The team at F Barnes have supported me throughout, and I have appreciated their approach to working together, offering me the flexibility that I needed to do my job.”
Communication
At F Barnes, we believe that every member of our firm has a valuable opinion. That’s why we do not have top-heavy levels of management; instead, preferring to involve all staff members in decision-making processes to ensure outcomes are representative of the entire company’s wishes. Our Heads of Department are also Directors, meaning that lines of communication are both direct and effective.
“The communication in each department is great, as I can speak to my line manager at any time. The team work together on projects, and I feel that I am heard when discussing how things can change for the better. I do not feel there are many management levels to go through or constant changes happening without being kept in the loop.”
Who are we looking for?
We are interested in hearing from Legal Advisors and Support Staff who feel that they have what it takes to make a difference to our firm. We would be especially interested to hear from you if you have a following of clients and contacts.
Over recent years, several experienced Legal Advisors with such a following have joined us to further their career, we are more than happy to support them..
Whether you are looking to join as an employee or as an consultant, we are happy to have a discussion on this as it is important to us that you feel secure in your job role.
We are a growing firm, and as a result, we have some new and exciting opportunities for high-calibre applicants who want to work in a busy and friendly practice.
For more information or to make a speculative application in the strictest confidence, please contact Joanne Druce at 01708 333711 or by emailing joanne.druce@fbarnes.co.uk.
Current Vacancies at F Barnes
- Legal Assistant- Wills & Probate Department
- Litigation Solicitor - 5 year PQE
- Family Solicitor - 5+ years PQE
- Private Client Solicitor - Wills & Probate
- Speculative Applications—We are always interested in hearing from people who want to join our practice and think they are the right fit. We are particularly interested in hearing from local solicitors who are experienced in one of our specialist fields. Please send your CV and cover letter to Joanne Druce.
