Macfarlanes has launched a key client relationship programme in a bid to attract more work from its top clients.

The firm has identified around 25 existing clients, including some financial institutions, with whom it hopes to increase work across multiple practices.

The programme is being spearheaded by senior partner Charles Martin and head of corporate Ian Martin, with the firm already holding meetings with the clients identified to discuss how they can pick up mandates across different practice areas, as well as looking at other ways of improving relationships.

It comes as the firm prepares to launch a secondment programme this year that will see junior lawyers carrying out short-term secondments to the key clients in a bid to get to know the legal teams better.

Charles Martin commented: "It is far easier to get more work from existing clients than going in cold to prospective clients. We have identified a number of key existing clients and we are getting to know their businesses much better from the inside. That way we learn more clearly where their needs lie in order to pick up mandates in practice areas where we are not already doing work."

He added: "The secondment programme will give our junior lawyers exposure to both the legal and operating divisions of clients. It will also enable us to get a better sense of the internal dynamics and help us to build our profile within the organisation."

Macfarlanes regularly works with clients including 3i, Four Seasons Group, Alchemy Partners and Pernod Ricard.