Eversheds is bringing in a new legal director role as an alternative career path 
to partnership.

The role, which will come into use at the firm for the first time in May next year, is intended as an alternative to the traditional partner route, rather than a stepping stone to partnership. However, it will still be possible for legal directors to be made up to partner.

The process for selection to the new role will open before the end of the year, with senior associates of roughly seven years' post-qualification experience and above expected to apply.

For regulatory reasons, the position of legal director will be known as of counsel in some of the firm's international offices, including Hong Kong.

Eversheds chief executive Bryan Hughes (pictured) said: "We will be encouraging individuals from across the firm to consider this alternative career path with the express aim of retaining more of our talent by offering an option of a senior role within the firm.

"It is about recognising those senior people at the firm who are doing a good job but may not necessarily want to go down the traditional route of becoming a partner."

The firm has also announced a rationalisation of job titles below partner level to ensure consistency across its global network. From 1 May 2012, the title of solicitor will be scrapped and all lawyers will be classified as either associate, senior associate or principal associate.

Hughes added: "As well as giving our lawyers a clear career path, we have decided to simplify the structure for consistency across the firm internationally and for consistency within our 
peer group."

Eversheds made up 22 lawyers in its annual partner promotions round this year, including 12 in the UK. The firm had 325 partners at the end of the 2010-11 financial year.