Birmingham's law firms are leading the way in recruitment and staff-friendly employment practices compared to other professional and financial services firms in the region, research revealed last week.

A survey of 200 professional firms commissioned by the Solihull and Birmingham Learning and Skills Council identified law firms as 'models of good practice' within the sector.

Birmingham law firms have outstripped other professional services firms in level of recruitment, the survey found.

Some 92% had recruited in the last 12 months, compared to 78% of the sector overall.

While recruitment has shrunk for corporate and personal injury work, the survey identified a shortage of probate and property lawyers - the latter attributed to a property boom in the city.

Many law firms also cited difficulties in recruiting legal secretaries.

Around a third of law firms interviewed had current skills gaps, compared to 44% of the sector overall.

Some 79% of Birmingham law firms offered employees flexible working, compared to 59% of the sector as a whole, while 63% provided occupational pension schemes - 9% more than their professional services counterparts.

Birmingham law firms also led the sector in offering home working and job shares, and giving financial support and time off for study and qualifications.

However, only 42% offered structured career progression opportunities, compared to 52% of professional firms overall.

The report praised law firms' development of staff, with training given on new legislation, advocacy skills, marketing and networking.

Diane Benussi, immediate past Birmingham Law Society president and also a director of Birmingham Forward, which sponsored the survey, said: 'How refreshing it is that law firms are leading the way in planning for the future and adopting good working practices.

Birmingham is a very switched-on community because there is so much communication between law firms - we talk to one another about initiatives and so are able to roll out good practice right across the board.'

Rachel Rothwell