Stability, collegiality and employee appreciation sum up Shipman & Goodwin’s secret to making the 2009 Hartford Business Journal’s Best Places to Work in Connecticut list for the first time.
Managing partner Scott Murphy, a 35-year member of the firm, has seen the firm evolve over the years as workplace characteristics, family demands, technology advances and expectations from a new generation of lawyers arrived to a tradition-minded profession.
Adjusting to change and accommodating new workplace expectations are necessary to maintaining a satisfying workplace, he said. This means allowing a more flexible work-at-home arrangement, for example, or permitting a part-time employment relationship with the firm when possible.
The firm practices a consensus-driven decision-making style that keeps information and discussion flowing steadily both ways, giving employees at all levels opportunities to weigh in on issues that affect the firm.
“We’ve created the kind of place where people feel free to voice their concerns, a culture where people are encouraged to speak their minds,” Murphy said.
“Employees feel more valued when they’re asked for their opinions. And you’re more likely to achieve your objectives if you’ve attained buy-in from others.”
The firm seeks out employees’ views in many ways. An associates committee meets monthly, regularly including partners to keep them abreast of issues at the more junior level. A member of the firm’s management committee provides regular updates to associates and encourages ongoing communication.
Career development is a top priority at Shipman & Goodwin. From day one, associates are provided with mentors to help navigate life at the firm. As they advance, they are provided with a “little sibling” for them to help guide and a “big sibling” partner with whom he or she meets regularly for career advice.
Maria Drag, director of human resources, meets monthly with lead secretaries to discuss administrative issues, trade information and communicate management messages to a support staff of about 200 employees. A 29-year employee of Shipman & Goodwin, Drag said that one of the things that makes Shipman & Goodman unusual is the length of service of employees at the firm.
“We don’t have a lot of staff turnover. Good salaries and benefits matter, of course, but leading by example and showing appreciation to employees matter most,” she said.
The firm has long played a prominent role in contributing its time, dollars and volunteers to well-known Hartford and regional charitable causes, and in serving the public with significant time devoted to pro bono work. Both Murphy and Drag recognize the added value this lends in recruiting top candidates and in retaining employees.
“We do so much of this,” Murphy said, “because it’s the right thing to do. There’s no ulterior motive. But I believe there is a dividend found in our employees, making them proud to work here.”
The firm periodically holds staff anniversary celebrations to recognize long-term employees’ service to the firm. “This year, we have a 35-year employee coming up. It’s one of the things that make us unique,” Drag said. “When people come to Shipman & Goodwin, they come to stay.”
Type of business: Law firm
Connecticut employees: 330
Connecticut locations: 4
Headquarters: Hartford
HR contact: Maria Drag, director of human resources
Top local executive: Scott L. Murphy, managing partner
Founded: 1919
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