Hicksons Lawyers (Hicksons) is a mid-tier legal and advisory business with offices in Sydney and Newcastle. The firm continues to work towards achieving its 2025 Strategy to ‘be regarded by clients and people as leaders for the provision of legal and business advisory services‘. The firm’s broader Vision is to ‘achieve exceptional outcomes as we put people first’. The firm aims to ‘be a forward-thinking professional services firm where all individuals feel valued and respected every time they interact with us.’ 

The firm is dedicated to assisting its clients with commercial disputes, property, planning, construction, health, general insurance, workplace relations, wills and estates, migration assistance, and workers’ insurance. The advisory practice includes services advising on ‘better boards’, HR advisory, migration and strategic negotiations. The firm services the community through its pro-bono services, student sponsorships, traineeships, support of indigenous suppliers and SMEs and commitment to sustainable business practices.

Part of the firm’s people strategy is a program to ‘Be our Best’. It is a continuous improvement program underpinned by the firm’s sets of Excellence, Respect, Integrity and Responsibility, which are embedded in its Code of Conduct, focusing on effective leadership and people support programs. The firm prides itself on fostering an environment that attracts and develops talent, creating innovative client solutions while serving the broader community.

With a values-based culture, activities and programs ensure the firm:

–       remains committed to its values and business code of conduct;

–       embeds and links its values within all business activities;

–       attracts, retains and engages top talent through targeted and focused strategies;

–       provides a constructive, supportive working environment;

–       creates supportive programs to enable individual success, heightening engagement and contributing to the firm’s growth.

The firm’s organic growth objective provides employees access to learning systems, training, and development programs that support internal progression. Senior leaders play a crucial role in preserving the culture through an open-door policy, sharing knowledge in regular forums, participating in quarterly business updates, and participating in internal committees. In addition to professional development, the firm provides socialisation opportunities and team-building activities.

The firm recently introduced a program to support a high-performing organisation. With Vision, Mission, and Strategy at the core, the program’s elements include clarity on goal setting, competencies, recognition and reward, appraisal, development, and coaching. Policies, systems, and practices support the program to enable employees to reach their full potential. 

This program complements the people strategy, including selection, acquisition, onboarding, development, progression and succession. The firm regularly updates its business policies to ensure relevance and legislative and regulatory compliance.

Human resource practices include providing mentoring support, employee assistance programs, a comprehensive benefits program, and learning and development opportunities to ensure people are supported to be their best.

Building trusted relationships is key to employee engagement; the firm provides education for leaders and managers to enable open conversations, fostering trust and transparency with their teams. This further supports the firm’s commitment to a positive workplace culture.

The firm is committed to a safe environment for its people. The firm continues to review the effectiveness of its risk management model, workplace health and safety model, and mental health strategy to provide support and increase awareness and knowledge across workplace safety. As effective management of mental health in the industry remains a priority, the firm has introduced a vicarious trauma training program and appointed mental health first aid officers across the firm. The program includes regular workshops to foster awareness and ensure there is a better understanding of this issue and the support required to manage it effectively.

For information about Hicksons Lawyers, visit hicksons.com.au