b'Local Government Lawyer 17lawyers from private practice] is that toto 96 in 2017/18needs to increaserole elsewhere at the end of their training move into local government is to prevent asignificantly and, to this end, the Lawyersperiod. This puts local authorities at a move elsewhere in the future. in Local Government Group (LLG) isdistinct disadvantage with private practice Additionally, as another respondentformulating a new national campaign aimedwhere the trainee retention rate is a key pointed out, while local government stillat encouraging graduates to apply formetric when trying to attract law students.offers better flexible working opportunitiestraining contracts. Legal apprenticeships, in which A-level than private practice firms, many of theThere is also some recognition that astudents or graduates join an employer latter have made significant strides incareer path needs to be available oncewithout going to law school and work improving the work-life balance of theirthat contract is completed. In contrast totowards their qualification through the legal staff, reducing the clear advantage that localmost law firms, it remains common forexecutive route are also growing in number government once enjoyed. Consequently,local authority trainees to have to find abut neither address the more immediate 81% of heads of legal said that they found itproblem of finding experienced staff.difficult to recruit from private practice (FIGFigure 8: In general, how easy or difficult isIn the meantime, unless the funds can 8). You need to find someone who wantsit to hire lawyers from private practice in thebe found to bring qualified salaries closer a different lifestyle and/or better pensionpresent market? to their private practice counterparts, the in exchange for reduced salary and status,recruitment crisis faced by local authorities commented one. Very dicult 23% shows little sign of abating.Fighting back in the war for talent Quite dicult 58% Derek Bedlow is the publisher of Local There is widespread acceptance that theQuite easy 19% Government Lawyer. He can be reached at number of training contracts in the localVery easy 0% derek.bedlow@localgovernmentlawyer.authority legal departmentswhich roseco.uk.No. 1 for Public Sector Legal RecruitmentOur dedicated, expert public sector team provides cost effective legal staff to the majority ofcouncils across the UK. The team recruit lawyers of all levels into the not for profit sector. With offices in Bristol,Birmingham, Manchester and London, we recruit for councils from Cheshire down toCornwall. We have a huge network of lawyers with relevant expertise and experienceseeking locum work in local government. By taking the time to understand our clientsand candidate needs, our team put the best people into the best roles. Whether hiring into your team or looking for your next career move contact Claire Watt. Excellent opportunities to commence immediately.C L A I R E W A T T @ C H A D W I C K N O T T . C O . U K | 0 1 6 1 8 2 8 5 4 0 7'