Herbert Smith
Freehills Kramer
alumni talent network

Working flexibly for HSF Kramer allows you to work for a firm you know alongside your other commitments in life.  We appreciate that our alumni have often left full-time practice because they require a more flexible way of working, and Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer alumni talent network facilitates that flexibility. Returning to work for HSF Kramer means that you will be working with HSF Kramer-quality colleagues on HSF Kramer-quality matters.

Elevate is a Band 1 (highest) ranked Alternative Legal Service Provider (Chambers, 2023)

Following a competitive tender process we have partnered with Elevate to establish this provision.  Elevate will provide dedicated support to HSF Kramer alumni and those who choose to participate will be considered for all suitable HSF Kramer opportunities. HSF Kramer alumni will be prioritised for all relevant roles within the firm. In addition, Elevate will provide HSF Kramer alumni with access to interim and permanent opportunities outside the firm with Elevate's global Customer network, across law firms and law departments.

https://elevate.law/explore-elevateflex/

A range of HSF Kramer's client work may be available, subject to client and business need. In some cases, HSF Kramer will be looking for more resources for large matters or to cover specialist skills. In other cases, retained knowledge and client relationships may drive the resourcing need. Client secondments may also be available. 

You will record the time spent working for a particular client against the relevant matter.

1. Elevate will store contact details and CVs for HSF Kramer alumni who register on the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer alumni talent network platform.
2. The firm will discuss resourcing requirements with Elevate as they arise.
3. Elevate will review the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer alumni talent network pool for suitability for the placement.
4. Alumni candidates will be put forward to the HSF Kramer matter team (along with other candidates, if relevant).
5. The HSF Kramer matter team can invite candidates to interview if they wish.  Interviews will be arranged by the HSF Kramer recruitment or resourcing teams.  Alternatively, the HSF Kramer team can make an offer without an interview if they already know the candidate, for example if they are HSF Kramer alumni. 
6. If mutually agreed, you may be able to start work as soon as two or three days later.

It will depend. Assignments may vary from a short-term surge support of just a few weeks, to a long-term matter over a year or more. The length of your commitment can be discussed with the matter team on a case-by-case basis. 

If you accept an assignment, you will be asked to sign a contract with HSF Kramer setting out the terms by which your services to HSF Kramer will be governed.

You will be employed by Elevate Legal Services UK Limited (Elevate Services Australia Pty Ltd. of Level 3, 1049 Victoria Road, West Ryde, NSW 2114 if you are engaged in Australia), who will be responsible for your remuneration. Whilst you are working for HSF Kramer, you will be considered to be a representative of HSF Kramer and should act accordingly. Clients will expect the same high quality legal advice and service that they normally receive from HSF Kramer. Your work will be supervised by a partner or senior lawyer of HSF Kramer (or by a client supervisor when on secondment). During your time at HSF Kramer you must comply with the SRA's Standards and Regulations, or the legal profession legislation and professional conduct rules applicable in the state in which you practise and where you hold you practising certificate. 

Terms relating to confidentiality and conflicts of interest, inside information and restrictions in dealing in securities and investments will apply to you, amongst others. 

Rates, and whether you are paid on an hourly or daily rate, will be agreed between you and Elevate on a case-by-case basis, with input from HSF Kramer. The rate will depend upon your level of experience and the work required. 

Yes, you will be entitled to overtime if the work requires it.  The rate will be communicated to you during the onboarding process.

For lawyers working in the UK, yes, you may choose whether to work on a PAYE basis or through an Umbrella or Limited Company. You will be required to work on an IR35 compliant basis.

In Australia, you may choose to work on PAYG or as an independent contractor via your own company.

It will depend on the assignment. Typically we may require a two-week notice period, although this may need to be longer in certain circumstances such as a client secondment, to allow us to find a replacement.  Notice terms can be discussed with the matter team on a case-by-case basis.

Yes, in most cases you will be provided with HSF Kramer IT equipment (or for secondments the client will provide). Occasionally and if you are working 100% remotely, you may be able to use your own equipment. This will be discussed and agreed at the onboarding stage.   

We appreciate that many alumni may wish to work for HSF Kramer on a flexible basis.

If the role allows for flexibility, HSF Kramer will endeavour to meet your flexible working needs. We have had several alumni returning to work for HSF Kramer on a flexible basis and it has worked extremely well. See above success stories.

Elevate will discuss your flexible working preferences with you.

This would be assessed on a case-by-case basis. 

Subject to the requirements of the role, it may be possible to work fully remotely. Other roles, such as client secondments, may involve hybrid working. Arrangements can be discussed with the matter team on a case-by-case basis.

Elevate will discuss your remote working preferences with you.

Yes, you can take holiday during an assignment. This must be agreed and approved in advance with Elevate and with your supervisor(s) at HSF Kramer (or the client, if you are on a client secondment). Please note that holiday pay is incorporated into your daily or hourly rate and you will not receive additional holiday pay for any days you take off as holiday. The same applies for sick pay.

This will depend on the agreement put in place for each assignment and will be agreed on a case-by-case basis.

If you are qualified in England & Wales, you will be required to hold a current practising certificate to take up a placement.  If your certificate has lapsed (for example if you have not been practising), you will need to apply to the SRA for a renewal, which is likely to be a quick process.  The fees for a practising certificate for 2023/24 are £337.

We strongly recommend that you renew your practising certificate if you are qualified outside England & Wales. 

We cannot advise you on whether you are required to hold a practising certificate while you are working outside your home jurisdiction, or whether your home regulator requires renewal to practise. You will need to ensure that you comply with the Legal Services Act. It may be the case that your job title will need to specify your home jurisdiction.

Yes, you will need to hold a current unrestricted Australian practising certificate to engage in legal practice with HSF Kramer and/or our clients in Australia. However, paralegal or legal operations roles may not require you to hold a current Australian practising certificate. Please speak with your Elevate representative about any queries you may have.

If applicable, your PQE will be assessed and agreed on a case-by-case basis for each assignment you undertake with HSF Kramer.

You will be covered by HSF Kramer's professional indemnity insurance when working for HSF Kramer. You would be covered by the relevant client's professional indemnity insurance when working on secondment.

No, you do not need to arrange this through the HSF Kramer alumni talent network platform. We will continue to work with our other recruitment suppliers as well as Elevate. The internal HSF Kramer recruitment team can also continue to engage with you directly if this is your preference.

Yes, you are permitted to work for other recruitment suppliers or ALSPs, including those run by HSF Kramer's competitors, subject to any relevant conflict checks.

Yes, please feel free to contact the following people at Elevate and HSF Kramer to discuss any queries:

Contact at Elevate:

Val Pitt, Associate Director (Melbourne)
[email protected]
+61 414 904 475

Natalie Limerick, Engagement Manager (London)
[email protected]
+44 7888 293 233

Jeni Atlan, Director (Washington D.C)
[email protected]
+1 202 809 0401

Contacts at HSF Kramer:

Mary Carpenter, Head of Recruitment, West
[email protected]
+44 20 7466 3569

Jasmine Pyke, Senior Recruitment Advisor
[email protected]
+61 2 9322 4289

Gabi Chappell, Recruitment Manager
[email protected]
+44 20 7466 2459

Lawyers, paralegals and some legal operations professionals will be able to register for our alumni talent network.