‘Holding ourselves accountable’: Slaughter and May tackles social mobility challenge with 2033 targets

‘Holding ourselves accountable’: Slaughter and May tackles social mobility challenge with 2033 targets

Slaughter and May has stuck its head above the parapet on the thorny issue of social mobility, outlining ambitious targets for 2033, in what will be seen as a bold move at the elite end of the profession.

Over the next decade the firm aims to increase its representation of individuals from a lower socio-economic background (LSEB) by 25% across its total workforce population from a baseline of 18.8%. Broken down across fee earners and business services professionals, Slaughters intends to increase its lawyer population from such backgrounds to 15% from a baseline of 10% and its business services population to 40% from a baseline of 34.7%. These targets measure a person’s socio-economic background by using parental occupation at the age of 14 as a metric. Continue reading “‘Holding ourselves accountable’: Slaughter and May tackles social mobility challenge with 2033 targets”

Guest post: Social mobility – does it still pay to be privileged in the law?

Guest post: Social mobility – does it still pay to be privileged in the law?

Research from the Bridge Group found that among ten leading City law firms 53% of partners attended independent schools and that those from lower socio-economic backgrounds took a year and a half longer on average to make partner. In addition, Covid-19 has revealed and compounded existing inequalities in wealth, race, gender, age, education and geographical location.

Three Travers Smith partners reflect on their experiences of social mobility and offer advice to aspiring solicitors. Continue reading “Guest post: Social mobility – does it still pay to be privileged in the law?”

The legal profession’s ‘domination’ of best employer rankings hits parody levels as City law firms recast as social mobility champions

The legal profession’s ‘domination’ of best employer rankings hits parody levels as City law firms recast as social mobility champions

For those in the legal profession, its record on casting its net beyond the privileged has long been an embarrassment… which is why it was a surprise to see a new ranking of the UK’s 50 most socially mobile employers include no less than 16 law firms.

Continue reading “The legal profession’s ‘domination’ of best employer rankings hits parody levels as City law firms recast as social mobility champions”

Odds against you: New figures show BAME applicants less likely to succeed as judges than white counterparts

The Official Statistics Bulletin published yesterday (2 June) by the Judicial Appointments commission (JAC) has revealed that black and minority ethnic lawyers (BAME) applying to become judges are far less likely to succeed than their white counterparts. Continue reading “Odds against you: New figures show BAME applicants less likely to succeed as judges than white counterparts”

Eighteen law firms join latest attempt to improve the profession’s dire social inclusion record

Eighteen major law firms, including Linklaters, Macfarlanes, White & Case and Sullivan & Cromwell, have joined a new initiative to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds join the legal profession.

Continue reading “Eighteen law firms join latest attempt to improve the profession’s dire social inclusion record”

Small gestures – can a new wave of social inclusion schemes deliver?

Despite much debate in recent years, social inclusion in the legal profession remains woeful. Are a new range of initiatives the latest diversity fads or steps towards a breakthrough?

Ray Berg, UK managing partner of Osborne Clarke, recalls first getting his foot in the door of the legal profession: ‘I only got work experience because my dad started talking to someone in the back of his cab. He was so proud to say his son was this, that and the other. That someone was the then managing partner at Nicholson Graham & Jones and he said: “Would your son like to do a week’s work experience with us?” That was extremely fortuitous but people without those contacts shouldn’t have to rely on fortune like that.’

Continue reading “Small gestures – can a new wave of social inclusion schemes deliver?”

Putting things in context: Magic Circle commits to social mobility tool after highly critical report

Eight elite City firms have adopted a contextual recruitment tool designed to boost social mobility in their ranks after a government report criticised professional services firms for ‘systematically excluding bright working-class applicants’ from their workforce.

Continue reading “Putting things in context: Magic Circle commits to social mobility tool after highly critical report”