The “products” that professional and technical service providers sell are their knowledge base and client service. It is the human delivery of these capabilities that provide value, and the ongoing relationship these professionals have with their clients that sustain a professional services organization.
This sector has unique human resource requirements and issues. Building and maintaining a stable workforce in these circumstances is challenged by a number of factors:
- The usual employment laws (such as those relating to overtime) may not be applicable for professionals. Organizations must find other ways to set and maintain standards and manage a workforce that doesn’t necessarily have regular (or equal) hours.
- Recruitment for professionals is highly competitive. It can be difficult and expensive to find (and keep) good talent. When marketplace moves do happen, it can be more likely to result in a fight such as restrictive covenant litigation or shareholder and partnership disputes.
- Regulatory issues adjust over time, and professional designations can change. This can force minimal to major changes in the management and even the very structure of professional service organizations.
Our professional services clients include:
- Accounting and finance firms;
- Architecture and engineering firms;
- Medical and dentist offices;
- Insurance brokerages;
- Advertising agencies; and
- Law firms.
The provision of services to such a diverse range of clients requires a good understanding of the nuances of each environment. Our considerable experience means that we’ve seen most of the issues that can arise in the professional services context. We can react quickly when needed and provide tailor-made solutions that are practical for each environment.
Our services include the full range of employment law advice, including areas of particular concern to professional services such as:
- Employment contracts;
- Post-employment competition;
- Competition;
- Privacy;
- Human rights and accommodation;
- Health & safety;
- Partnership disputes;
- Regulatory issues;
- Policy issues;
- Investigations and discipline;
- Buying and selling of practices;
- Transition into retirement; and
- Commercial Litigation.
