How We Helped an International Commercial Law Firm Grow and Scale

‍Client Background

A prominent law firm in Australia, was looking to strengthen its expertise in commercial law, particularly in the space of charities. To support this expansion, the firm sought a skilled lawyer who could integrate seamlessly into their remote team. By tapping into international talent, the firm aimed to bring diverse perspectives and specialized knowledge to the table while also leveraging global market efficiencies, ensuring they could continue offering competitive and high-quality services to their clients.

The Challenge

The firm needed to hire a commercial lawyer; the ideal candidate would need to be adaptable, comfortable with remote work, and able to navigate complex legal areas. To ensure the firm could access the specialized talent required, Teams Squared tapped into their global candidate pool, particularly Sri Lanka, where they had highly qualified professionals who could offer both expertise and cost-effective solutions. Finding a candidate with the right qualifications and remote work readiness was crucial to the firm's success in scaling their capabilities.

How the Candidate Was Placed

Teams Squared reached out to the firm via email and immediately recognized the potential fit with Usha Ratnam, a highly skilled commercial lawyer based in Sri Lanka. At the time, the firm was also looking to hire locally in Australia, so the timing was great to compare options side by side. After one interview, the team discussed technical aspects like cyber security, IT-related setup, and the legal environment in Sri Lanka. The firm decided to progress to interview Usha, and decided after one interview to phase Usha into their team with a remote setup, starting her on a 20-hour workweek contract.

What the Firm Did to Make It Successful

The firm followed an exemplary onboarding process to ensure the integration of Usha was seamless:

1. Daily Standup Calls:  
   From day one, Usha was included in daily stand-up meetings, allowing her to immerse herself in the firm's team culture and workflows.
   

2. Clear Communication and Structure:  
   The firm assigned multiple points of contact, including a direct line to a senior manager, ensuring smooth communication.
   

3. Adaptability in Work Hours:  
   With the time zone difference between Sri Lanka and Australia, the firm made sure to work around Usha’s availability, adapting to different working hours as needed.
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4. Support for Integration:  
   Over time, Usha's responsibilities expanded, leading to her involvement in the firm’s legal work related to charity and non-profits, making her an integral part of the team.

What Teams Squared Did to Make It Successful

1. Navigating Cultural and Logistical Challenges:  
   Teams Squared played a crucial role in managing the practical and logistical aspects of the remote setup. For instance, there was some confusion around holiday schedules and how a remote team would adapt. Teams Squared facilitated smooth communication around these transitions, ensuring everyone was aligned on time-off and availability.
   

2. Addressing Working Hours Concerns:  
   When the senior partner was transitioning to a new geographical location to work from, there was uncertainty regarding working hours. Teams Squared stepped in to mediate, helping establish clear expectations for Usha’s interaction with both the firm’s Australian office and her new jurisdiction.
   

3. Supporting Usha’s Transition:  
   Initially, Usha was hesitant about working remotely. Teams Squared provided ongoing support, helping her navigate the transition to a fully remote role. We facilitated discussions about her work-life balance, including her concerns about autonomy and career progression and employed a consultative approach to ensure Usha was achieving her goals.  

Candidate Success Story

Usha Ratnam was initially reluctant to pursue a fixed remote placement, unsure of how it would fit into her career aspirations. However, after connecting with Teams Squared, she decided to take the plunge, enticed by the opportunity to work internationally while maintaining a flexible lifestyle.

Over time, Usha has found immense satisfaction in the role. She has grown from a part-time junior associate into an integral part of the firm, now managing all charity-related work for the firm. What began as a 20-hour per week commitment has evolved into a nearly full-time role, providing Usha with the opportunity to maintain a remote income while gaining international exposure.

Today, she is thriving in her position, enjoying the flexibility of remote work and the ability to move between different jurisdictions and spend time with loved ones as needed.

Client Success Story

For the firm, this international hire has been a game-changer. The ability to bring on an experienced commercial lawyer from Sri Lanka allowed the firm to expand its team without the overhead costs of hiring locally in Australia. Usha’s integration into their team has been highly successful, and the firm has been impressed by her abilities and skills.

Over time, Usha’s contributions have been invaluable, particularly in the firm’s charity-related work, a niche area that has become a key focus of their firm. The success of this remote hire has not only allowed the Australian firm to better serve its clients but also enabled them to scale its operations and enhance its reputation in international markets.

The Vital Human Element Behind the Success | 

‍Client & Candidate Reflections

Usha

1. Biggest challenges working remotely for an international firm?
2. Most surprising aspect of working with the firm?
3. How has remote work flexibility impacted your career/lifestyle?

 Warlows

1. Challenges integrating a remote, international lawyer?
2. Pleasant surprises of working with a remote hire?
3. How has this hire helped your firm scale/expand?

Our Mission at Teams Squared

For Candidates

Our mission is to empower highly skilled local lawyers to break barriers, gain international exposure, and share their expertise with global firms, allowing them to thrive in remote roles that align with their personal and professional aspirations.

For Clients

We bridge mature markets with highly skilled talent from emerging markets, unlocking opportunities, providing fresh insights, and leveraging global market efficiencies to help firms scale via tapping into top talent worldwide.