Key facts
- City law firm Addleshaw Goddard is planning a mandatory program for junior lawyers on communication skills.
- The training will cover speaking on the phone, face-to-face interactions, and professional etiquette.
- Winston Taylor also enforces telephone training for its junior lawyers.
- Gen Z's preference for texting over phone calls is noted, with only 33% comfortable making calls.
- Nottingham College offers courses to help Gen Z employees overcome phone anxiety.
City law firms are increasingly implementing mandatory communication training for their junior lawyers, addressing a perceived gap in skills related to phone and face-to-face interactions among Generation Z hires. Addleshaw Goddard is planning a widespread rollout of a program that successfully trialed for six months, focusing on teaching early-career lawyers essential workplace communication, professional etiquette, and how to use technology effectively.
Aisha Saeed, early careers manager at Addleshaw Goddard, stated that communication was identified as a key focus area in the firm's development pathway, aiming to provide practical support for navigating professional life and building relationships. Ella Clarkson, a solicitor apprentice who participated in the trial, reported a positive impact on her development and work quality.
Other firms, such as Winston Taylor, also mandate telephone training for junior lawyers, emphasizing communication, collaboration, and relationship-building. Wendy Tomlinson, chief people officer at Winston Taylor, noted that today's lawyers require a broader communication toolkit due to navigating diverse channels from the outset of their careers.
This trend aligns with broader observations about Gen Z's communication preferences. YouGov polling from March revealed that only a third of Gen Z felt comfortable making phone calls, with a significant majority preferring text, email, or instant messaging. British universities and colleges are also responding, with institutions like Nottingham College offering courses designed to help Gen Z employees overcome 'telephobia' and improve their professional performance.