Golden STEP Accreditation for WJM

Published byIan Macdonald

29th February 2016

Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP has been awarded STEP’s Gold Employer Partner accreditation in recognition of our technical expertise and dedication to providing learning and development opportunities for our private client and family business teams.

STEP is the worldwide professional association for lawyers, accountants and other trust and estate specialists who have completed additional STEP qualifications to become trusted expert advisers to families on matters such as wealth planning, family business issues, wills and executries.

We are one of just 20 employers throughout the UK, and one of only 3 based in Scotland, to be involved in the pilot of the STEP Employer Partnership Programme, which was launched at the end of 2014. 

The programme is designed to help employers support the development of their STEP students and members, thus ensuring that their employees are able to practice effectively and efficiently.  WJM’s involvement with the programme builds on the firm’s reputation for excellence within the private client sector.

The Gold accreditation has been granted to WJM in recognition of:

• the supportive nature of the firm towards the ongoing development of its STEP students and members; 
• the approachable and encouraging culture and ethos within the firm; 
• our excellent communication channels; and
• the quality of coaching and mentoring provided to support students though the STEP qualification.

Jenni Hutchinson, STEP’s Head of Employer Partnerships said:

“STEP awards this accreditation to those employers of STEP students and members which demonstrate achievement against a set of rigorous and robust quality standards.   WJM is a shining example of an employer who is committed to ensuring the wider resources are in place to support their staff to be the best they can.”

Kirsten Brass, a Lawyer in the Private Client team at WJM has completed two STEP exams. She said “For each exam, we are given study support including paid study leave and additional mentoring from colleagues.  It’s very generous and says quite a lot about the firm’s commitment to investing in its people.”

Ian Macdonald, Partner and head of the Private Client team at WJM said “We believe clients should expect technical excellence.   Achieving this accreditation confirms our commitment to achieving this and provides evidence that we are a trusted source of technical expertise and professional opinion on all aspects of private client law.”