UK firms and chambers invited to take part in leading diversity initiative
The largest firms and chambers across the UK have been invited to take part in the 2014 BSN Diversity League Table (DLT), considered by many to be the legal profession’s leading diversity reporting initiative.
The Diversity League Table started in 2006, pre-dating all of the current diversity reporting initiatives and regulatory requirements; promoting transparency and kick-starting a new way of approaching how the industry looks at itself, and to solutions that might address inequality within the profession.
The key difference between the DLT and other reporting is in the output. The DLT has always published the demographic profiles of each participating legal organisation. However, the range and cross-section of actual league tables and diversity rankings produced, provides additional and significant value in that they also enable the reader to see, at a glance, how firms and chambers compare to peers at different levels; including the Partners/QC level, Associate/Barrister and Trainee/Pupil. Helping to provide a basis on which more informed decisions can be made, for example, around recruitment, retention and promotion strategies.
Made available to a wide range of stakeholders and decision-makers, including General Counsel within FTSE100 and FTSE250 companies, the Diversity League Table also enables purchasers of legal services to quickly identify those – in terms of equality, diversity and inclusion – that are transparent and open, with an obvious appetite for seeking further improvement.
Firms and chambers from all parts of England and Wales are invited to take part, and are well represented within the publication.
The final report will be published in October this year. In relation to the demographic make-up of leading firms and chambers, it will provide the profession’s most detailed look at some of the most diversity-progressive practices in the UK.
The Law Society of England and Wales is the lead sponsor of the 2014 Diversity League Table. The initiative has also received support from, the Bar Council, the Legal Services Board, the Bar Standards Board and the Solicitors Regulation Authority; also, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Government Equalities Office and the Attorney General’s Office.
The Diversity League Table is project-managed and published by Satsuma, on behalf of the BSN (Black Solicitors Network).
Satsuma MD and Senior Consultant, Godwin Ohajah, who is also the project lead, said, “It is now widely recognised that diverse teams work better. Additionally, equality and diversity is playing an increasingly important role in tenders and bids. Essentially, clients appear to be seeking more than just a tick-box commitment to E&D.”
He continued, “The core information required to take part in the DLT is largely in line with that now required by the regulators. This is important, as means that for participating firms and chambers, little or no additional work should be in involved in terms of data collation.”
Ohajah also said, “In addition to producing the report, we also feel that it’s important to work hard to profile and promote the positive activities of firms and chambers that take part in the DLT. We are currently working on a (free) pilot publication that will focus on case studies from highly ranked participants from the previous year, in an attempt to share best-practice. There are also diversity events planned for London and also Manchester (in association with the Manchester Law Society), to coincide with the release of the findings in October. Additionally, the 5th annual UK Diversity Legal Awards will be taking place later this year in London.”
Formal invitations have now been sent to the Senior Partner in the top 150 law firms, as listed in the Lawyer’s UK200 report. Also invited are the top 30 international firms, as listed in the same report. Invitations have also been sent to Heads of Chambers with sets containing 30 or more members.
The deadline for 2014 submissions is Monday 2nd June.
Eligible firms and chambers interested in taking part should email: diversity@blacksolicitorsnetwork.co.uk .
For partnership discussions, the Diversity Legal Awards and other enquiries please contact Godwin Ohajah by email: godwin-at-satsuma.eu
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Category: Industry News, Satsuma News
