Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner awarded LawCareers.Net Commendation for Diversity
updated on 19 May 2021
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) has been awarded the annual Commendation for Diversity as judged by LawCareers.Net, Aspiring Solicitors and Rare.
The LawCareers.Net Commendation for Diversity aims to recognise and applaud a firm that has demonstrated that it has made, and continues to make, a serious commitment to creating a diverse workplace, providing equality of opportunity, and eliminating bias or prejudice against individuals or groups.
Usually presented as part of the annual LawCareers.Net Training & Recruitment Awards, this year the Commendation for Diversity stood alone while the Awards take a break for 2021.
Bethany Wren, content and events manager at LawCareers.Net and one of the judges commented: “Although the LawCareers.Net Training & Recruitment Awards are on hold this year due to the pandemic, we knew that it was more important than ever to hear from law firms about what they are doing to promote Diversity & Inclusion in their businesses, and in the profession.”
Firms were asked to submit details of activities undertaken to improve diversity and promote inclusivity to a panel of judges from LawCareers.Net, Aspiring Solicitors and Rare.
Regarding the winner, Bethany Wren said: “All the judges commented on BCLP’s innovative approaches to hiring a wider talent pool. Initiatives such as Race for Change and their Commercial Cafes (which was launched during the pandemic and involves senior lawyers and clients) have directly led to candidates from underrepresented backgrounds, particularly Black candidates, receiving training contract offers.
“Overall, BCLP demonstrated a fantastic understanding of what it takes to develop inclusive recruitment processes and a supportive workplace. We really appreciated the supporting statistics provided by the firm which prove that success has been tracked, and the firm knows where else it needs to improve. We look forward to seeing what else BCLP does in this area in the future.”
A special mention is also given to Clyde & Co LLP, Dechert LLP and Mishcon de Reya LLP who all impressed the judges with their submissions.
For more information about Diversity & Inclusion in the legal profession, head to LawCareers.Net’s brand new Diversity hub.
