DLA tops human league as 6m investment pays off

City firm DLA has been rewarded for a 6 million investment in its human resources department by becoming the first legal practice to win at the annual HR Excellence awards.The firm bested pharmaceutical giant Astra-Zenica and travel agency First Choice to win 'best learning and development strategy'.Maurice Mendoza, editor of the awards sponsor, Human Resources magazine, said DLA stood out because of its 'commitment to bring out the best in its people' and in particular praised its mentoring scheme.

The six-strong development team created its HR strategy through a collaborative approach.

Workshops on the challenges facing the firm were attended by all board members, groups heads, managing partners and service directors, while each fee-earning group was responsible for the design of a three-year strategy to address 'key success factors'.DLA's HR director, Robert Halton, said the award 'justifies our investment in training and shows how the culture in law firms has changed over the last five years'.

The awards are open to any firms or companies who wish to nominate themselves.Andrew Towler