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2 BigLaw firms try new tacks in battle to…

Law Firms 2 BigLaw firms try new tacks in battle to acquire more lawyers

By Debra Cassens Weiss

January 26, 2022, 10:25 am CST

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The battle for legal talent has led two BigLaw firms to try new tacks to bolster recruitment.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has announced a new program called “The Returners” at its Silicon Valley office that seeks to hire experienced lawyers who have been out of the profession for at least two years, according to Reuters, Law.com and a press release.

The program is also aimed at increasing diversity at the law firm.

Freshfields is rolling out the program at its Silicon Valley office, with the goal of expanding it to its U.S. offices in New York and Washington, D.C., according to Law.com.

Lawyers hired through the program will have a dedicated mentor and will receive individualized training.

Shearman & Sterling, meanwhile, is offering its former lawyers and staff members up to $25,000 for referrals that lead to new hires, Reuters reports.

Shearman is offering $25,000 for a new hire of an associate or a counsel with at least one year of experience, $2,500 for a salaried business professional hire, and $1,000 for an hourly staff member hire.

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