Catherine Gasparini

Compliance, Lexcel & HR

BA (Hons) Law, MBA (Legal Practice)

CIPD

Mob: 07910 438674

cgasparini@cartonconsultants.com

A Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) and a Law Society accredited Lexcel consultant, Catherine has worked for the best part of 30 years both within law firms and as a consultant.  Roles have included recruitment, practice management and HR.

That experience enables her to provide you with the pragmatic support that you need to deal with the challenges faced today.   With an MBA in Legal Practice from Nottingham Law School (the only MBA in the UK designed specifically for the management of law firms), Catherine combines academic knowledge with practical experience.  You can be assured that she has a sound understanding of the unique culture of the legal profession and the changing environment in which your practice operates, which counts for a lot.

Specialist areas include:

• HR Management - reviewing and updating job descriptions, contracts of employment and terms & conditions of employment; induction and exit procedures; setting up personnel files & records; pay reviews; absence management; devising and introducing performance appraisals and review systems for all levels of personnel; handling of recruitment campaigns and assisting with strategic recruitment planning; staff surveys and methods of communication; training & development planning. 

• Policies, procedures and office manuals - linked with the above topics the review, drafting and introduction of policies and procedures and office manuals.  

• Lexcel - taking you through the process of applying for accreditation, the resources needed and the benefits to be gained; conducting pre application audits; recommending changes in policy & procedure to attain Lexcel standards; drafting changes in policy & procedure and help with training on the changes; liaising with the Law Society and assessment boards regarding applications and preparing firms and in house departments for audit.

• Risk & Compliance - reviewing existing arrangements for the management of Risk including surveys to test personnel understanding of the subject; reviewing all policies and procedures for compliance with the SRA Code of Conduct; reviewing existing policies or introducing new policies that clearly describe working practices and ensure compliance with employment law, professional rules, accreditation standards and Best Practice ; assisting with the production of a Risks Register and making recommendations for change where there are gaps in compliance.

Catherine also develops and presents bespoke training courses relating to topics that include:

• Outcome Focused Regulation

• Lexcel and what it means for your firm.

• Risk Management 

• Principles of Management

• Conducting Performance Reviews

• Equality & Diversity

• How to lose money in a law firm without really trying!

• Dealing with difficult clients