Browne Jacobson launches specialist Ascensus programme for in house lawyers and business leaders

UK & Ireland law firm Browne Jacobson has re-imagined its successful in house lawyers programme with the launch of Ascensus, a brand new resource and connectivity programme that offers in house lawyers and business leaders a more holistic forum to network and develop in.

The Ascensus programme which launched at Browne Jacobson’s Birmingham office last week is aimed at in house lawyers and business leaders, and focuses on the needs of general counsel, Data Protection Officers and business owners. It builds on Browne Jacobson’s in house offering but now fully endorses its official partnership with the O Shaped, an innovative movement with a mission to drive positive change within the legal sector, spearheaded by former Network Rail General Counsel (GC) Dan Kayne. Ascensus also gives clients access to industry aligned experts and qualified Executive Coaches from the firm’s Space + Time offering, which is run in partnership with consultancy firm 10Eighty.

The programme is designed to support, educate and connect its members across the UK and international professional services sector. It provides day to day support, coaching and mentoring around leadership and key decision making, career development and informs its members of important legal updates and changes in working practices and leadership trends through physical, hybrid and online workshops, seminars and events which will focus on a different theme such as digital disruption.

Partner and in house lawyer specialist Richard Nicholas who founded the firm’s in house lawyers forum in 2006 commented: “In the 17 years since we launched the in house lawyers' forum, by asking (and working with) our clients, we have learned what GCs truly value and that is, having a team they can tap into that is an extension of them, having access to up to date, legal information relevant to the diverse sectors they operate in, having the opportunity to learn more about what their peers are doing and career development support, particularly when it comes to leadership. This is what the Ascensus programme offers”. 

“I am proud we have been able to strengthen our in house lawyers' model for our clients and to have developed something that is unique in the market. Ascensus will put our in house lawyer clients in the best possible position to successfully do their job”.

Partner Declan Cushley, who leads the firm’s strategy for the corporate sector added:
"Ascensus is focused on connecting and aligning with the industry sectors that our legal experts support. It is the product of our ongoing partnering with our own in-house team of industry-aligned experts, (many of whom have sat on the main boards of household name international companies) and from the many discussions with our clients as to what they would like to see to support them and their in-house legal teams in an ever increasingly demanding environment.”