More than 60 of the national law firm's partners and staff have signed up to mentor lawyers at the firm, as part of a scheme that was officially rolled out at the beginning of the month. The programme, which is primarily aimed at helping salaried partners make the steps to the equity ranks, will also see trainees within the firm assigned a mentor throughout their two-year training contract.

Around 25 individuals, including partners, senior associates and human resources officers, have so far been trained as mentors, with a similar number expected to be trained by the end of the month.

Lawyers will be able to turn to their mentors for advice on issues concerning their clients, their roles within the firm and their career path.

Beachcroft's human resources director, Phil Cousins, said: "In the broadest sense it is to help a gradual cultural shift to a coaching style as opposed to the conventional directive style typical to lawyers. As a result, one of the tactics of the scheme is, in a sense, as much about coaching as it is about mentoring.

"Rather than open up the floodgates we are taking a gradual approach so the scheme is welcomed, beneficial and wanted. We need to take it steadily to show that effective mentoring can be achieved."

Many of London's law firms, including Berwin Leighton Paisner, Allen & Overy and Addleshaw Goddard, already operate some form of mentoring system for lawyers.

Separately, SJ Berwin has become the latest firm to explore the option of alternative career paths. The firm is consulting with its associate solicitors forum about the option of bringing in an alternative to partner, potentially bringing in an 'of counsel' role.

Legal Week's assistant report, published late last month, found that 67% of law firms now operate some form of partnership alternative, with firms including Olswang and Nabarro among more recent converts.

More than 60 of the national law firm's partners and staff have signed up to mentor lawyers at the firm, as part of a scheme that was officially rolled out at the beginning of the month. The programme, which is primarily aimed at helping salaried partners make the steps to the equity ranks, will also see trainees within the firm assigned a mentor throughout their two-year training contract.

Around 25 individuals, including partners, senior associates and human resources officers, have so far been trained as mentors, with a similar number expected to be trained by the end of the month.

Lawyers will be able to turn to their mentors for advice on issues concerning their clients, their roles within the firm and their career path.

Beachcroft's human resources director, Phil Cousins, said: "In the broadest sense it is to help a gradual cultural shift to a coaching style as opposed to the conventional directive style typical to lawyers. As a result, one of the tactics of the scheme is, in a sense, as much about coaching as it is about mentoring.

"Rather than open up the floodgates we are taking a gradual approach so the scheme is welcomed, beneficial and wanted. We need to take it steadily to show that effective mentoring can be achieved."

Many of London's law firms, including Berwin Leighton Paisner, Allen & Overy and Addleshaw Goddard, already operate some form of mentoring system for lawyers.

Separately, SJ Berwin has become the latest firm to explore the option of alternative career paths. The firm is consulting with its associate solicitors forum about the option of bringing in an alternative to partner, potentially bringing in an 'of counsel' role.

Legal Week's assistant report, published late last month, found that 67% of law firms now operate some form of partnership alternative, with firms including Olswang and Nabarro among more recent converts.