Extract from IDS Executive Compensation Review 323

DLA Piper introduces new bonus scheme for lawyers

Changing an organisation’s culture is one of the most difficult challenges that can face any employer, but over the last few years law firm, DLA Piper has transformed its image as the ‘Rottweiler of the North’ to a leading global business. Robert Halton, Global Chief People Officer at DLA Piper, explains how its latest initiative, the introduction of a new bonus scheme for fee earners, fits into this wider programme of cultural change.

‘Valuing people’ and ‘corporate partnership’ are cornerstones of the law firm’s culture and in line with this it has been pursuing a total reward strategy since the late 1990s. Described as financial recognition of the culture, the new bonus scheme, which covers some 1,500 fee-earning lawyers, was launched in January 2007 with the first payments due early this year. But the bonus scheme is not the only innovation, as supporting the new arrangements is a new performance management system. These latest developments are just part of DLA Piper’s total reward approach which also includes flexible working, career management and training and development opportunities. This article details the changes and provides tables on how the bonus scheme is made up of chargeable hours, examples of calculations of performance points, and review ratings.