5 minute read
The Managing Partner takes the floor
by BAHR
MP TAKES THE FLOOR
Navigating uncharted territory
Times are unusual. There is no mistaking that. 2019 was an eventful year for BAHR, but that is all in the past. The world has changed as the result of covid-19, and that is what everyone is focusing on. 2020 started on a strong note for us, and BAHR has been coping remarkably well since the initial outbreak in March. This demonstrates fortitude and resilience, but we have had, and still have, to make difficult and important choices.
Covid-19 has introduced a completely different level of uncertainty than we have previously known. The long-term effects are hard to predict. The situation also requires BAHR as a firm to make the right decisions to stay in tune with market changes and facilitate renewal, says Thomas K. Svensen, Managing Partner of BAHR.
– When crisis strikes, people and businesses differ in their reactions. Some adopt a waitand-see stance until the waters calm, while others actively embrace the situation despite the uncertainty. Finding the courage to make choices is absolutely crucial. As advisors to clients in critical situations, passiveness is not an option for us. Not in relation to our own business either, observes Svensen.
Thomas K. Svensen BAHR Managing Partner
Renewal for the future
Renewal for the future Despite these unusual times, BAHR did in the spring of 2020 embark on what will be the greatest transformation in the history of the firm. This transformation is based on new technology and new ways of working. Digitalisation and automation have resulted in the elimination or restructuring of many tasks, especially in business support. For the lawyers, this means new working methods and more efficient and effective interaction, both internally and with clients.
– We are renewing and making changes based on the plans we have made and the needs we are anticipating for the future. Change is challenging, especially for those who are affected. It is nonetheless of decisive importance to our development that we proceed with change and renewal, says Svensen, before adding:
– These changes only mark the beginning of our renewal as a business, which will ensure that we retain our strong position in the future. Such renewal will have numerous manifestations,
We want to further enhance the attractiveness of the legal profession, thereby also sowing the seeds of increased diversity
MP TAKES THE FLOOR
including an emphasis on digitalisation, process improvement and the development of skills and talents. Our objective for the latter is to add further substance to our ambition that you will learn more at BAHR than anywhere else. Which will also benefit our clients.
Everyone needs to chip in Challenging times demand more from us all. As manager, Svensen is focused on ensuring that all BAHR team members, at all levels, recognise and understand their own roles in the team, and actively contribute to adding value for clients, as well as to the development of BAHR.
– This is a prerequisite for success. All BAHR team members have an important role to play, and we must all have the desire and ambition to contribute. This is why we greatly value personal initiative and development ambition, in everything from new and existing client relationships to new talents and BAHR as a team. We will only deliver top performance if everyone takes ownership of the processes and pull in the same direction.
World-class learning Expertise and diversity are at the core of our continuous development effort. BAHR has pursued professional development systematically since its inception in 1966 – most recently under the BAHRacademy umbrella, which encompasses all employees of the firm. BAHRacademy has lifted the training to a new international level. BAHR has in close collaboration with the University of Cambridge developed a tailored education programme offering everyone the opportunity to learn from some of the world’s leading academics and from BAHR’s own experts in their respective fields.
– The education programme is a key component of our effort to evolve very bright lawyers into more well-rounded advisors for our clients. This takes a lot more than only legal expertise. Tailored modules will enable attendees to strengthen their understanding of relevant topics like finance, strategy, macroeconomics, microeconomics and project management. The programme also forms an important part of the lifelong professional learning that is an essential feature of the legal profession. We would like the programme to inspire talents to seize the opportunities available to them after graduating from law school. We want to further enhance the attractiveness of the legal profession, thereby also sowing the seeds of increased diversity, says Svensen.
Advisor in extraordinary situations BAHR is the law firm that affords talents the opportunity to create something extraordinary for clients. They will together with great colleagues be providing assistance when the perfect storm hits; when the uncertainty,
complexity and potential fallout may seem daunting – and there is much at stake. In these situations, clients need more than legal expertise. They need an advisor that can see the big picture and the full range of opportunities, and that inspires their full confidence.
– We want clients to think of BAHR in situations like that. This is the very essence of BAHR. What makes BAHR a fantastic place to work. The knowledge that I will here be able to assist on the most exciting and challenging matters, such as restructuring of the airline Norwegian or transformation of the Aker Group for a greener and more sustainable era. That I will be part of something extraordinary, with fabulous colleagues. And that our advice will add value for our clients, says Svensen, before concluding on the following note:
– We shall through the renewal we are undertaking as a firm further enhance our ability to deliver in such extraordinary situations, and we shall tool ourselves up for new times.
These changes only mark the beginning of our renewal as a business
