Herbert Smith Freehills launches enhanced alumni talent network in partnership with Elevate

Providing opportunities across the full range of Herbert Smith Freehills client matters, the network's global launch follows a successful pilot and will be run and managed in collaboration with law company Elevate. It has been expanded to connect former legal, legal operations and paralegal colleagues, building on an established network supporting client secondments. 

Key elements of the new alumni talent network reflect how much career management has changed following the pandemic. These include:

Cross-continental connections: former colleagues across the firm's 23 global locations will have access to an alternative career pathway. Alumni will be able to work on fixed-term assignments, ranging from short-term surge support to long-running issues.

Additional talent pool: alumni with in-depth sector experience or knowledge about specific organisations will be eligible to apply for short-term secondee positions as opportunities arise.

Matched matters: network members will be matched to suitable opportunities via a system created to identify sector experience, additional language capability, and many other skill sets. 

The expanded network underlines the firm's ongoing investment in its client strategies and HSF Deal - which outlines the firm's commitment to deliver varied career experiences and opportunities for growth. The move also follows news of plans to combine with US firm Kramer Levin and open in Luxembourg, enhancing the firm's private capital offering.

Helen Hopkin, Director of Global Workforce Planning Strategy & Implementation at Herbert Smith Freehills, says: "Creating an environment for our people to work in a way that allows them to meet professional and personal commitments is an important part of life at HSF – and that is as true for current colleagues as it is for our alumni. Our clients will also benefit from access to additional support and specialist skills as situations demand as the desire to work flexibly should not close the door on talent."

More than 100 former employees signed up to the new alumni talent network in its pilot phase. One, originally a lawyer in the firm's London disputes practice before moving to the Hong Kong office, now lives in France and has returned to legal work whilst still pursuing other, voluntary, roles and competitive sporting commitments. Another relocated from London for family reasons, taking a career break before resuming legal practice whilst maintaining their commitments away from the law.

Elevate will also give HSF alumni access to interim and permanent opportunities both within and outside the firm via its global customer network.

John Croft, President and Co-Founder of Elevate, says: “We are delighted to provide opportunities for HSF alumni to return to the firm and their clients on a flexible basis and give them access to a broad range of opportunities around the world, increasing the quality and quantity of our offering globally.”

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