We believe that the legal sector should be open to talent from all socio-economic backgrounds – and there's still more work to do to put things right.

We have been working for several years with Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) and Aspiring Solicitors to engage and attract a socially diverse pool of high performing undergraduates and graduates to our vacation schemes and training contracts.

We have been using the RARE contextual recruitment system since 2015 to provide us with an understanding of the context in which students received their grades. It uses data from all schools in the UK to compare the applicants' grades to the grades in their school in their year.  It highlights the students who have over-achieved the grades in their school and those who have achieved in the face of hardship or adversity for example being from a refugee background.

We are a founding member of PRIME, an alliance of law firms committed to improving access to the legal profession, and have since 2011 hosted annual work experience programmes in London for nearly 100 sixth form students.

Employee network

Memberships and commitments

The Social Mobility Pledge      

 

Our approach to diversity and inclusion in the UK

Diversity and inclusion

gender balance

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, ethics and cultural concept

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 confident

Disability confidence

We are committed to removing assumptions, barriers and challenges faced by people with visible and invisible disabilities

Mental health concept

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.

lgbtqi

LGBTIQ+ inclusion

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTIQ+) professionals can progress and develop

Parents and carers concept

Parents and carers

Many of us have responsibilities that require flexibility in our working patterns.   We are committed to supporting our working parents and working carers. 

Social mobility concept

Social mobility

We believe that the legal sector should be open to talent from all backgrounds and are committed to widening access and fostering a culture of social inclusion.