Learning and development

Sherwood’s team of highly skilled trainers and facilitators have a wealth of experience gained from working both with and within professional organisations which means that we have a deep understanding of the organisational context within which our clients operate.

We also work with many of the top 100 law firms, which ensures we continuously keep abreast of the current and future challenges facing professional service firms.

How we work

We enjoy working in collaborative partnerships with our clients to design and deliver bespoke programmes of learning to meet their specific needs and to ensure a good fit with their unique culture.

We also offer a wide range of core skills development workshops and programmes that can easily be included within a firm’s own skills curricula and delivered in either face-to-face or remote format.

Recent projects

  • Bespoke leadership development programme for all partners in a medium sized law firm to support the leadership challenges posed by the transition to a hybrid working environment
  • Tailored skills development programme for associates and senior associates in the London office of a US law firm with no internal learning and development function
  • Programme supported by 1:1 coaching sessions for newly promoted partners to facilitate a successful transition into the partnership
  • A series of workshops for partners and staff on building inclusion and inclusive leadership
  • Programme for all partnership applicants in a medium-sized law firm to support them in making a compelling business case and preparing for interview
  • Programme of group coaching for newly qualified lawyers to support their transition from trainee

What our clients say

I must say that I went into this training quite sceptical however the course has completely changed my thoughts on coaching. I can now really see the benefit of developing this skill. Thanks so much for running the course!
Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2021-10-20T14:16:15+00:00
I must say that I went into this training quite sceptical however the course has completely changed my thoughts on coaching. I can now really see the benefit of developing this skill. Thanks so much for running the course!
I thought Ann was very effective and engaging, I would be happy to attend any courses she runs in future.
Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2021-10-20T14:16:46+00:00
I thought Ann was very effective and engaging, I would be happy to attend any courses she runs in future.
Very engaging without being patronising and friendly and a good facilitator of discussion
Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2021-10-20T14:17:24+00:00
Very engaging without being patronising and friendly and a good facilitator of discussion
This is one of the best training sessions I have attended recently (both in terms of content and enjoyability).
Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2021-10-20T14:18:00+00:00
This is one of the best training sessions I have attended recently (both in terms of content and enjoyability).
Gave me lots and lots to think about. Very practical and well delivered. Everyone should be offered this course.
Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2021-10-20T14:18:24+00:00
Gave me lots and lots to think about. Very practical and well delivered. Everyone should be offered this course.
Thank you, Julie, for a great session today on inclusive leadership. I found it really informative and helpful, especially because it was focused on helping us find solutions to the issues we encounter in practice.
Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2021-11-15T17:34:45+00:00
Thank you, Julie, for a great session today on inclusive leadership. I found it really informative and helpful, especially because it was focused on helping us find solutions to the issues we encounter in practice.
Chris is a first-class coach, with a lovely balance of challenge and warmth, excellent trainer and truly brilliant facilitator.
Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2021-11-15T17:35:14+00:00
Chris is a first-class coach, with a lovely balance of challenge and warmth, excellent trainer and truly brilliant facilitator.
This programme has been great for my self-confidence. Every day in the office is driven by the thought that you could have done it better etc. The programme gave me a safe environment to try things out and see if they work.
Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2021-11-15T17:35:46+00:00
This programme has been great for my self-confidence. Every day in the office is driven by the thought that you could have done it better etc. The programme gave me a safe environment to try things out and see if they work.
I thought the course was extremely useful on both technical and motivational grounds. I suspect that it pays for itself many times over as it acts as a real spur to develop new clients and cement existing relationships. The tools on offer on the course are not ordinarily acquired ‘on the job’ of mid level and senior associates and it was clear to me that all of the participants left the course with a greater sense of purpose and confidence as to how win business.
Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2021-11-15T17:36:19+00:00
I thought the course was extremely useful on both technical and motivational grounds. I suspect that it pays for itself many times over as it acts as a real spur to develop new clients and cement existing relationships. The tools on offer on the course are not ordinarily acquired ‘on the job’ of mid level and senior associates and it was clear to me that all of the participants left the course with a greater sense of purpose and confidence as to how win business.
The best course I’ve attended. Relevant, useful, informative, fun. The dedication of the facilitator was noteworthy and there was a high level of professionalism, organisation and relevancy.
Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms
2021-11-15T17:36:43+00:00
The best course I’ve attended. Relevant, useful, informative, fun. The dedication of the facilitator was noteworthy and there was a high level of professionalism, organisation and relevancy.
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Sherwood - consultants to professional service firms

L&D case study

Skills development modules for a US law firm

Sherwood were engaged by the London office of a US law firm wanting to introduce a new programme of skills development modules for their fee earners. There was no in-house L&D team.

We worked closely with a group of three partners in the firm to identify areas for skills development and then designed a programme of individual workshops for junior associates and a separate programme for senior associates with reference to the relevant competency frameworks. Each module was designed to be independent so that participants could attend whichever modules were most relevant to their own particular development needs.

As well as designing all the programme materials for each module, Sherwood also provided support around internal comms to promote the modules in advance and foster engagement in the programmes, and also supported the feedback gathering process and circulated follow up materials after each module. The firm now has an established core skills curriculum which provides a consistent programme of development support for their associates and senior associates.