In January 2020, we announced our global ambition for beyond 2020 with an aspirational gender target of 40:40:20 (a minimum of 40% women; a minimum of 40% men; and 20% flexibility to be truly inclusive). This ratio will form the basis for a range of gender metrics, including overall partnership; management committees and leadership roles (including client relationship partners and business services leaders); partner promotions; external partner candidates; senior business services hires.
Our Career Strategies Program is a global modular development program aimed at creating a more gender balanced partnership. It was the first of its kind in the legal sector and when launched in 2010, the objective was to increase the number of female partners in Europe, Middle East and Asia from 16% to 21% over three years. We achieved this target and our continued focus on the recruitment, promotion and retention of female talent has increased female partner representation to 27% in EMEA as at December 2020.
Our women’s networks in over 25 offices around the world aim to support the personal and professional career development of women at all levels within the firm.
Our women’s networks support our gender diversity strategy for women by providing a broad range of internal events focusing on career progression for women, as well as access to role models across the firm. They also arrange client events for networking and business development purposes providing a visible forum where issues affecting women in law and across our clients’ industries can be discussed freely.
Women in Norton Rose Fulbright (WiN)
(Wo)men’s work, Alexandra Howe, London
Gender balance
We support gender balance programs in order to address and reduce unconscious bias in our decision making. We provide targeted leadership development for women, including coaching, mentoring and sponsorship, and we facilitate and strengthen professional networking through our women’s networks and diversity and inclusion committees.
Racial, ethnic and cultural diversity
We are committed to increasing the racial, ethnic and cultural diversity of our leadership, partnership and people across the global firm
Disability confidence
We are committed to removing assumptions, barriers and challenges faced by people with visible and invisible disabilities
Mental health
We are committed to creating a culture where mental health is understood without stigma and where everyone responds effectively to mental health problems to reduce the overall incidence of mental health issues and improve the wellbeing of our people.
LGBTIQ+ inclusion
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTIQ+) professionals can progress and develop
© Norton Rose Fulbright LLP 2023
