Frequently in the press because of high-profile former clients such as Heather Mills McCartney and Princess Diana, law firm Mishcon de Reya should be equally well known for its innovative working environment that not only rewards staff but also encourages growth and openness.

“Law firms are generally conservative and people can be stuck in their ways, but the senior partners here inspire a relaxed atmosphere,” explains law partner Masoud Zabeti. “This is a firm with a lot of ambition, which has maintained a close, friendly culture.”

According to our survey, employees give the firm a 79% positive score for their jobs being good for personal growth, are happy about pay and benefits (70%) and feel fully involved at work, giving Mishcon de Reya a 74% positive rating for this question.

The company began as a one-man office in Brixton in 1937. Today it is a mid-sized law firm with 311 people offering a diverse range of legal services for businesses and individuals in Britain and overseas.

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“Sometimes you have to challenge stereotypes through a generosity of spirit and believing that if you create that atmosphere people will thrive and you will create a better business,” says managing partner Kevin Gold.

The results speak for themselves; the company is seeing year-on-year growth of between 30-35% and last year hired an additional 67 members of staff. What is its secret?

“We are driven by the question: how do we create an atmosphere that attracts the best talent?” says Gold. “We’re a people business, they are our stock and trade, and the best tend to be mavericks — it’s almost like the weirder you are, the better you are, so we have to foster that individuality.”

According to Gold, it is the firm’s core values — such as aiming to “embrace diversity, respect for the individual and the expression of talent, and to empower individuals to fulfil their potential and the potential of the firm” — that drive its success.

Staff give Mishcon de Reya a 73% positive score for making them feel that they can make a difference to the organisation and a 76% rating for believing they can make a valuable contribution to its success.

“You can influence what’s going on here,” says Zabeti. “You feel like you are part of something working here, and you get that from the support structure because of the real expertise of the people. I can approach anyone and they are happy to provide the backup.”

Employees feel they receive fair pay for their work (67%), and that they are paid fairly in comparison to others within the organisation (68%). They are happy with the benefits such as a non-contributory pension scheme, private healthcare, an employee assistance programme and a maternity package that offers full pay for the first 26 weeks, giving a 70% positive rating for this question.

Even staff contracted outside the organisation are impressed. Tao Kaffo, the company’s security manager, has been working at Mishcon de Reya for six years.

“It’s a very friendly place,” he says. “When you do security you are usually just a body behind a desk, but people here regularly come up to me and take the time to get to know me. From the perspective of a contractor it is absolutely incredible. My staff feel valued and integrated and are included in things such as Christmas parties, and that gives you a lovely feeling.”

Employees agree, saying they love working for the organisation (75%) and that they are proud to work for Mishcon de Reya, giving this category an 82% positive score.

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