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Most companies are feeling the pinch of the current economic crisis, and law firms are no exception. There is uncertainty of fee income, costs, client prospects and market developments. Confidence and morale have taken a hit.

To ensure continued prosperity, you need to gain the maximum value from your most expensive asset - people.

However, the current climate provides unexpected opportunities for strategic structural change, allowing HR to take a leading role in delivering a more disciplined environment whilst re-establishing good working habits.

Written by Julie Harrison, who has 16 years' practical experience of people management strategies within law firms, this report offers practical guidance and analyses established best practice.

The report includes case studies and perspectives from prominent firms and HR professionals who have experienced previous downturns, giving you access to a unique level of expertise and knowledge.

People management strategies in an economic downturn will cover:

• Demonstrating the value of the HR function and its role in the current economic climate;
• The need to continue recruiting. How to compete for, and win the best talent;
• Strategic downsizing - selecting the best options to align your resources to your current and future needs (redundancy programmes, restructuring, office closures);
• Getting the right level of resource at the right cost base to deliver work at maximum profitability;
• Investing in, and valuing non-monetary reward - motivating and rewarding employees in a downturn; and
• Providing strong leadership to establish certainty in uncertain times.

Special attention is paid to limiting damage to your firm's reputation when carrying out an effective redundancy programme. This should ensure that you not only minimise the risk of key losses from your talent pool but that you also maintain good internal relationships for the future.