Birketts announces 40% female partnership

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UK top 50 law firm Birketts LLP has achieved 40% female partnership ahead of International Women’s Day 2023, following its ongoing commitment to supporting gender diversity.

The number of female partners at the firm has risen by 13% since 2019-20. Initiatives, including a ‘Clearing the pathway to leadership’ programme, which more than 60 of the firm’s female employees have been involved with, have played a role in this achievement. This particular programme includes an interactive workshop in which female associates are encouraged to identify, discuss and overcome the practical and psychological obstacles to career progression.

Birketts also improved its maternity and adoption pay to 24 weeks’ full pay to in a bid to address the challenges that working mums face, alongside enhancing its shared parental pay policy to support families balancing childcare responsibilities.

Grace Kerr, a partner in Birketts’ commercial property team and environmental, social and corporate governance lead, who joined the firm in 2004, expresses her pride at being part of the movement that’s seen the “advancement of women within the firm”. Kerr says: “To be among such a strong cohort of women within the partnership is a great testament to the firm’s focus on advancing the careers of women within the legal profession, and the top-tier talent that we have within our teams.”

Meanwhile, the firm’s Chief Executive Jonathan Agar recognises the achievement but is also keen to emphasise that the job isn’t finished. Agar says: “While it is a great achievement to have made these strides, there is always more that we can, and will, do to support women’s careers in the legal profession. Gender diversity will continue to be a core focus for the firm.”