What's it like to work at Blacks?

When you work at Blacks Solicitors you can expect individuality, collaborative working and a thriving social scene.

Blacks Solicitors is committed to doing things a little differently. While the phrase ‘law firm’ may once have conjured up images of corporate men in stuffy suits, life at the Leeds-based practice is anything but dull. With an open door policy, a stellar employee culture and an ethos of giving back to the community, they’re one of the most exciting and innovative law firms in Leeds.

It’s a place where individuality is championed

Blacks Solicitors believe in standing out, and that mantra runs throughout the whole team. Individuality is actively encouraged – staff aren’t supposed to be cookie cutter versions of one another, their unique personalities are able to shine through. The wants and needs of each team member is always paramount, and a career with the firm comes with a whole host of outstanding benefits.

Encouraging uniqueness builds a solid culture while ensuring each and every team member feels valued. “I think there’s a vision of what a lawyer might be and then the reality is actually, we’re all individuals, we’re all very different,” Jack Dodd, Solicitor at Blacks Solicitors, told us. “And we’re allowed to do that within the realms of obviously working in a law firm, which is quite nice.”

Respect runs throughout the organisation

The level of mutual respect that runs throughout the company is refreshing. There’s no divide between junior and senior members of the firm, collaboration is at the heart of everything they do, thanks to a company-wide open door policy. This culture of honest feedback and support makes it easy for people to ask questions, while breaking down barriers and fuelling strong relationships.

“Whether you’re a junior, whether you’re a senior, senior partners, equity partners, salary partners – whatever level you’re at, everybody respects each other,” Perdip Bhachu, Senior Associate Solicitor, explained. “Everybody is very approachable. If anybody needs anything in my team or even beyond, I always say to people just come to me and ask me anything.”

Their social calendar is second to none

When you take a job at Blacks Solicitors, it’s more than just a place to work. You can enjoy regular extra-curricular activities and benefits, alongside lunchtime seminars where organisations like Andy’s Man Club visit to speak to the team. Employees are also encouraged to host their own ‘This is Me’ event, where they can share their individual passions and interests with their colleagues.

“I’m half Italian. I love pasta, everyone knows that,” Anna Schiavetta, Solicitor, told us. “The team asked me to organise a client-facing event. They were like, we know how much you love pasta, so just run with it, do what you want to do with it. So they encouraged me and supported me and I organised a pasta sauce masterclass. I just feel like I wouldn’t get that opportunity anywhere else.”

They give back to the community

Many of the social activities centre around volunteering and fundraising, with the firm supporting a number of causes and local initiatives. There’s everything from fancy dress dragon boat races to sponsored swims, alongside plenty of scope for pro bono work. Many charities can’t afford legal services, so this provides a way to support directly while making vital connections on a human level.

“One of the great things about working here is that we can support different causes, while also making connections with different referrers,” Jack Dodd, Trainee Solicitor, explained. “Corporate social responsibility is important to us. It gives us the time to give something back to the community while also doing something that we’re all quite passionate about, which is helping people.”

They’re looking towards a green future

The social responsibility doesn’t stop there. Blacks Solicitors are also committed to protecting and enhancing the natural environment, seeking to operate in an environmentally-friendly way, employing energy efficient measures and reducing the amount of pollution and waste they produce. It’s something that the legal sector on the whole is big on, and a huge part of their future plans.

“It’s a work in progress – we’re looking to be more fun with it,” Nick Dyson, Head of Commercial Property, told us. “In the short term, we’re taking the responsibility to get a culture coach, to help us on a cultural level to support the environment. There are also lots of opportunities to review the space we use and how we use it, as well as looking at the supply chain side of things.”

There are plenty of non-traditional routes into the company

Diversity and social mobility are hugely important to the firm, who understand the importance of levelling the playing field. By offering multiple different routes into the business, they ensure that everyone has the chance to embark on a career in law. Alongside work placements and trainee contracts they have an apprenticeship solicitor scheme, as well as paralegal apprenticeship opportunities.

“So we’re trying to create a bit more social mobility by opening up our doors to the paralegal apprenticeship,” Ruth King, Head of HR, explained. “We’re able to welcome candidates who might not thrive in that traditional academic environment, but who are still just as great. It all goes back to being an individual and what works for you – one size doesn’t fit everybody.”

People actively choose to come and work in the office

Blacks Solicitors’ solid culture is demonstrated by the amount of people who choose to come and work in the office, despite it being optional to do so. As well as providing an open working space, there are also plenty of employee perks that make it a great place to be, including massage and reiki, and a wellbeing room with comfy chairs and a diffuser, where staff can go to take time out.

“The one thing that really makes Blacks stand out is the culture and the work-life balance, which is reflected in terms of how many people do come in to the office to work,” Anna explained. “We can work from home if we want to, but a lot of people do end up coming into the office just cause it’s such a nice environment to be in. It’s good to catch up with everybody as well.”