The group is looking to mentor up to 25 firms
Legal heavyweights in the UK have banded together for a new LGBT mentoring scheme launched in cooperation with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and Stonewall UK.
The cross-firm initiative, spearheaded in autumn last year by Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP), aims to promote LGBT inclusion in the wider UK legal sector. The 10 founding members of program, all placed in the latest Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index, which benchmarks employer progress on LGBT inclusion in the workplace.
They are:
- Baker McKenzie
- BLP
- Clifford Chance
- CMS
- Dentons
- DWF
- Herbert Smith Freehills
- Hogan Lovells
- Norton Rose Fulbright
- Pinsent Masons
The SRA said that it wants to recruit up to 25 firms from across England and Wales to take part in the pilot and be mentored for an initial six- to 12-month period. Firms are expected to attract staff and gain business benefits such as increased networking opportunities as they develop their approach to LGBT inclusion.
Mentors from the 10 firms will provide participating firms with an average of two hours of free support and guidance every month. Participating firms will also receive information and guidance on a range of topics, including advocacy and community networks, leadership and accountability, policy development, recruitment and retention, role models, and social media.
“This is an incredible opportunity for a law firm to gain knowledge and experience on LGBT issues and establish important business connections,” the SRA said.
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