Carey Olsen is one of the oldest and largest law firms in Guernsey and is committed to supporting the local community and its staff through several initiatives.
When the opportunity came up to be an event partner with the Chamber of Commerce for their ‘People, planet & (Mary) Portas’ Gala Dinner in November, the firm was very keen to be involved. They have a comprehensive strategy in place for supporting and developing their people and protecting the environment.
First steps to a career in law
Carey Olsen is dedicated to nurturing future legal talent. We offer aspiring lawyers real-world experience through work placements and the IoD Leadership Shadowing Scheme. Our bursary programme supports students financially, and we guide them through the Solicitor’s Qualifying Examination (SQE) or Bar Training Course to become barristers of England and Wales.
For those aiming to become Guernsey Advocates, we provide the path to completing the Certificat d’Etudes Juridiques et Normandes and the Guernsey Bar exams.
Training and development
In addition to the legal teams, Carey Olsen also employs a number of people to undertake various other functions. This includes conveyancers, compliance, finance, HR, IT, Business Development, marketing, and facilities professionals. All employees are encouraged to undertake continued professional development (CPD) to enhance their specialist skills and knowledge.
Carey Olsen was the first offshore law firm to be accredited as a Platinum Employer Partner by STEP. This scheme is designed as a benchmark for businesses in the trusts and estates industry and signals a firm’s investment in employees’ professional development and for providing a nurturing work environment.
Tom Carey, managing partner of Carey Olsen in Guernsey said,
We are dedicated to helping our staff in their professional development by attaining CPD. The STEP accreditation was particularly pleasing to achieve as it involves a rigorous review process and ensures we are maintaining the necessary standards in a number of areas. Ultimately, it benefits our staff, our clients and the firm.
Health and well-being
Since the outbreak of COVID the health and well-being of staff has become increasingly more important. “Wellness Wednesdays” were introduced, which are monthly lunchtime sessions for staff led by health and other professionals to discuss a variety of health and well-being issues. Sessions have covered topics such as mental health and resilience, the menopause, emotional intelligence, men’s health, hypnotherapy, and dementia. One session which proved very popular was “paws for support” when a number of puppies were brought into the office and the benefits of therapy dogs in the workplace was discussed.
The Carey Olsen Women’s Network was also set up in 2023 with the objective of facilitating female collaboration and support across the firm’s global network. It provides a platform for sharing accomplishments, experiences, and advice to support women at Carey Olsen in achieving their potential and to increase engagement, recognition, and the promotion of women leaders.
Embedding ESG in the firm
Carey Olsen’s ESG Working Group, made up of legal and business staff, has implemented a firm-wide Environmental Sustainability Policy to carefully manage and reduce the environmental impact of its activities. With a focus on continuous improvement, the firm sets clear targets for reducing its environmental footprint.
As the first offshore law firm to sign the United Nations Global Compact, Carey Olsen is committed to upholding its Ten Principles and reporting annually on progress.
In Guernsey, initiatives like switching to electric vehicles and promoting alternative transport are already in motion.
CSR in Guernsey
Carey Olsen is particularly proud of its Guernsey roots and its contribution to the Bailiwick community.
Through a programme of sponsorships, the arts, education, sports and charity sectors are supported through financial contributions and staff participation. The firm provides pro bono advice in conjunction with Citizens Advice Guernsey and staff have raised funds for Action for Children and Safer charities through various fund-raising activities this year. In addition to its support of the Chamber of Commerce, its programme of local CSR and other sponsorships include, The Guernsey Rugby Association, The Guernsey Literary Festival, Art for Guernsey, The Institute of Directors, Vive La Villette and The Guernsey Sports Commission.
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