Clifford Chance internal review puts legal work culture under scrutiny
Clifford Chance’s decision to engage former Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick's consultancy has put the gruelling workplace culture at law firms in the spotlight.
UK 'magic circle' member Clifford Chance's Australia-wide workplace review has put the intense nature of work in the legal industry and issues of client confidentiality in focus as employers face increasingly tough obligations over employee safety.
London headquartered Clifford Chance, which has major offices in Sydney and Perth, last week confirmed it had brought in former Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick’s consultancy firm for a workplace review for undisclosed reasons. “EB&Co provides high-level strategic analysis, assessment, advice, and planning to organisations wishing to strengthen their workplace culture," a spokesperson said in a statement provided to Capital Brief.
The appointment was first reported in the West Australian. Clifford Chance did not respond to further questions on the duration of the review, its remit, or what prompted it.
Lawyers observing the situation said client confidentiality issues could be an obstacle for firms conducting internal culture reviews.
