Winners of UK Diversity Legal Awards announced at the launch of the 2012 BSN Diversity League Table

| 15/11/2012 | 0 Comments

The winners of UK Diversity Legal Awards were announced at the launch of the 7th annual BSN Diversity League Table publication, which took place on the evening of Wednesday 14th November, at the Law Society in London.

The Awards:

The UK Diversity Legal Awards were presented by Nicole Smith, board member at the Legal Services Board.

Diversity graduate recruitment specialists, Rare picked up the award for “Recruitment: Attracting Talent”, for their ‘Articles’ programme – the first time a UK Diversity Legal Award has not gone to a firm or Chambers. The work placement initiative, Prime, was Highly Commended in the same category.

Lianne Moseley, Director of Legal Recruitment at Rare said, “The Rare team is immensely proud of the success of the Articles programme in helping aspiring lawyers from non-traditional backgrounds to develop the skills and qualities they need to succeed in their legal careers.”

Morrison & Foerster were presented with the award for “Retention: Talent Management”. Hogan Lovells were ‘Highly Commended’ and Linklaters were ‘Commended’ for the work on their Non-executive directors (NED) programme.

Morrison & Foerster’s Managing Partner, Trevor James said: “Morrison & Foerster prides itself in creating and maintaining a working environment which supports the development of all employees. We are very pleased that our forward-looking approach, which includes the automatic right for all our attorneys to work reduced hours on returning after the birth or adoption of a child, has been recognised by this award.”

The awards for “Firm of the Year 2012” and “Chambers of the Year 2012” are presented to the firm and Chambers that achieves the highest position in the Overall Diversity League Table. These awards went to Shoosmiths and Hardwicke Chambers respectively, an exact repeat of last year’s result.

Shoosmiths’ Chief Executive, Claire Rowe said, “To win back-to-back awards is testament to Shoosmiths’ truly diverse team.” She added, “We’re delighted to top the BSN Diversity League table for a second year running – especially in light of the great year we’ve just had, with the opening of a Scottish office, our rebrand, the raft of partner promotions, and heavyweight lateral partners joining.”

Hardwicke Head of Chambers Paul Reed QC comments: “Winning this award for a second time recognises Hardwicke’s commitment to diversity, and to success based upon ability. We thank the Black Solicitors’ Network for their hard work, and for making these awards possible.”

The Diversity Legal Awards were sponsored by K&L Gates and the SRA, with the Drinks Reception traditionally sponsored by the previous year’s winner of “Firm of the Year”, which in this case was also this year’s winner, Shoosmiths.

K&L Gates Managing Partner, Tony Griffiths commented, “At K&L Gates, we are proud to support the Black Solicitors Network and their commitment to achieving equality and inclusion.”

Diversity League Table: the Results

The evening also saw the launch of the 7th BSN Diversity League Table (DLT) publication, which saw a record 73 firms and Chambers take part, up from 64 in 2011. 50 firms took part, up 6 from last year’s 44. For Chambers, the number was 23, up from 18, in 2011.

This year’s research draws some interesting conclusions, presenting the reader and the wider industry with some thought-provoking questions and challenges. Some observations include:

  • The number of firms providing LGBT and disabilities data on their lawyers was up from previous years.
  • At the top of the professional ladder there seems to be greater ethnic diversity amongst Chambers, compared to firms.
  • In both Chambers and firms, the rates of female attrition are particularly pronounced when moves to the highest levels of the profession are considered.

There are also interviews with Equalities Ministers, Jo Swinson and JP Morgan Managing Director, Tim Hailes.

DLT Editor and BSN board member, Michael Webster said, “This year’s Diversity League Table has presented us with a number of positives. The most obvious positive is the overall increase in participation this year, from both firms and Chambers. The transparency the Diversity League Table helps provide to participants, is an important starting point in terms of identifying where and how to make improvements.”

He concludes, “We are always pleased to see so many leading firms and Chambers participate in the Diversity League Table; and they rightly deserve our thanks for their support, which demonstrates their clear and transparent commitment to equality of opportunities for all.”

The Diversity League Table is project-managed and published by Satsuma on behalf of the Black Solicitors Network.

The 2012 Diversity League Table is available from the Law Society Bookshop, priced £45.00.

Work starts on the next Diversity League Table in spring 2013. Firms and Chambers interested in taking part should email diversity@blacksolicitorsnetwork.co.uk.

END

NOTES:

  • The Diversity League Table is an initiative from the Black Solicitors Network. Sponsored by the Law Society and supported by the Bar Council, the Legal Services Board (LSB), the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC).
  • The Black Solicitors Network is a recognised Law Society Group and a not-for-profit organisation. Formally recognised by the Law Society in 2003, the BSN has been supporting and promoting the development of minority lawyers in the UK since 1995.
  • The Black Solicitors Network is an inclusive rather than exclusive organisation, their reputation is such that they also attract, and welcome, members from across the cultural and diversity spectrum.
  • Participation in the Diversity League Table is voluntary.
  • The Diversity League Table is research project-managed and published by Satsuma (Consultancy) on behalf of the Black Solicitors Network.
  • The UK Diversity Legal Awards are produced by Satsuma (Events)

 

Category: Industry News, Satsuma News

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