Diversity: Diversity

"Be yourself and be confident in your own ability – never try to change yourself to suit other people’s expectations. Always be mindful and eventually people will adjust to you in the same way you’ll adjust to others."

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Our Inclusion for All strategy: two years on

Gowling WLG (UK) LLP

In this piece, we’re going to take a look at the impact that IFA has had since it was introduced, including the initiatives rolled out and some of the highlights of the past two years.

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Diversity and inclusion – Q&A with Gowling WLG associate Elvis Tse

Elvis Tse is an associate at Gowling WLG (UK) LLP.

"At university, I had no idea what career to pursue. I studied social sciences and laws so I had a few career choices!"

Hear more from Gowling WLG (UK) LLP

Supporting our colleagues through the menopause

In 2022 we introduced a menopause policy to support those who are experiencing menopause or have already been through it, as well as those who are supporting somebody through it.

Developing your career through mentoring

At Gowling WLG (UK) LLP, mentoring is something we encourage all of our people to take advantage of.

Why becoming an inclusion ally makes a difference

As of 2023, Gowling WLG (UK) LLP has 218 inclusion allies across the firm.

Gowling podcasts

This podcast series features senior leaders at the firm sharing their varying career journeys across legal and business services

The Space: Leadership and law - episode 7 - Alison Richards

Alison shares her thoughts on the importance of diversity, representation and allyship.

The Space: Leadership and law - episode 6 - Roz Trimmer

Roz dives under the surface about her experience of maternity leave, the challenges of coming back to work and how she balances a challenging role with being a mother to two children.

The Space: Leadership and law - episode 5 - Navin Prabhakar

From a long career in pharmacy to becoming a partner at Gowling WLG, we hear about Navin Prabhakar's decision to make a career change and journey into law.

LGBTQ+ representation in the legal profession

How do I ensure I’m practising allyship towards the LGBTQ+ community?

"I’ve recently seen the term LGBTQ+ ally, but what is it and how can I be an authentic ally?"

LGBTQ+ History Month: our history through legislation

Niamh Gray looks at the laws that have landed us where we are today.

Being proud and queer in the legal profession with Anna Casey-Woodward and Bridget Garrood

Diversity and inclusion is at the forefront of most firms. But how can you tell which firms are truly inclusive and supportive?

Scotland's Gender Recognition Reform Bill

What’s Scotland’s Gender Recognition Reform Bill?

Race, religion and belief

Black barristers: are wigs outdated?

Niamh Gray (they/them)

Barrister wigs have been a long-standing tradition since the 17th Century, but is the dress code outdated and alienating aspiring barristers from pursuing careers at the Bar?

Black candidates share legal recruitment experiences

Structural inequality and a lack of representation at senior levels mean that Black candidates continue to face additional barriers to becoming lawyers.

Drinking culture, religion and networking opportunities

The Oracle

"I want to network with my colleagues but I don’t want to drink alcohol – what do I do?"

Age discrimination in law

Am I too old to become a solicitor?

"I’m in my 40s and thinking about retraining as a solicitor, but is there any point? I have heard that recruitment focuses on young graduates."

Career changers: five tips for those switching careers to the legal profession

If you’re serious about moving into the legal profession, read our five tips to help you get started.

Retired workers returning to the workforce - beware age discrimination in the workplace

It’s important that policies and employees are up to date around age discrimination.

Firm insights

Find out about firms' diversity and inclusion initiatives straight from recruiters and practising lawyers

Meet the Lawyer

Aruse Okaisabor

Hear from Aruse Okaisabor, an associate in Ashurst’s digital economy team, about her journey to qualification and life as a lawyer at a global law firm.

Meet the Lawyer

Krishna Patel

Krishna Patel, managing associate at leading national law firm Stevens & Bolton LLP, shares details of his journey into the legal profession, his area of expertise and the type of corporate finance work he takes on, including M&A, and his advice for you. Read Krishna’s insights in this Meet the Lawyer profile.

Meet the Lawyer

Hilary Grubb

Interested in global disputes? Hilary Grubb, associate at Jones Day, offers an insight into what it’s like working for the global disputes team at a global law firm. Hilary also highlights the benefits of the firm’s non-rotational system and open-door policy.

Disability inclusion

Is tying bonuses to office attendance truly inclusive?

Is the remote working movement really coming to an end? Some of the biggest firms in the country and the world appear to have answered that question.

Removing barriers for ADHD lawyers

Read this LCN Says on equal opportunities for ADHD lawyers

How to find the right law firm for your career and disability

Read advice from Demi Rixon.

What is neurodiversity at work?

Neurodiversity refers to the natural diversity of the wiring of the human brain (how people process information differently).

How accessible is the legal profession for lawyers with disabilities?

"Should I disclose my disability when I apply for a vacation scheme? Are careers in the legal profession accessible for candidates with disabilities?"

Feature

Is a career at a City law firm for you?

Becoming a solicitor in the big business world of City law is the goal for many aspiring lawyers. But how do you know whether it’s right for you?

How to be a disability ally

The Abled Lawyer

There’s so much power an individual possesses when it comes to creating cultural change for better disability inclusion.

LCN Says

Alicia Virtue - Your background shouldn’t be a barrier to reaching your goals

Alicia Virtue

The legal profession has a long way to go before it’s truly representative of the population it serves and it’s still playing catch-up when it comes to recognising the benefits diversity can bring.

Social mobility: will my socioeconomic background impact my chance of securing a training contract?

What are law firms doing to improve the representation of people from low socioeconomic backgrounds?

Recent podcasts

Life as an LGBTQ+ lawyer - with Danni Davies and Michael Tushingham

In this episode we speak to real estate lawyer Danni Davies (they/them) from Latham & Watkins and tax associate Michael Tushingham (he/him) from Gowling WLG (UK) LLP about life as an LGBTQ+ lawyer.

Neurodiversity and the legal profession – with Phil Steventon

Phil Steventon from The Neurodivergent Lawyer blog shares his experiences and insight into neurodiversity, including how it might impact people’s journey to becoming a lawyer.

Diversity and inclusion in the legal profession - with Gowling WLG

In this episode, we speak to Emma Dennis, diversity and Inclusion manager at international law firm Gowling WLG (UK) LLP.

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Diversity and inclusion: Q&A with Gowling WLG’s Greg Standing

Head of enterprise risk management, Greg shares his experience at Gowling after losing his hearing and being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

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Disability and inclusion: Q&A with Gowling WLG’s Simon Stephen

Simon Stephen, legal director at Gowling, opens up about how being honest about his mental health over the years has made for a better working environment.

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Disability and inclusion: Q&A with Gowling WLG’s Vivienne Reeve

Vivienne Reeve opens up about the two conditions she has been diagnosed with and how she continues to do the job she loves thanks to her supportive team and firm.

Women in law

Belonging at the Bar: women’s journey from barriers to barristers

We’re no strangers to women in the courtroom on TV but very few (if any) programmes express the difficulty women have faced getting to this point.

The women who changed the legal industry

Women have been vying for their place within the legal profession for well over 100 years.

Celebrating 100 years of women solicitors – the drive towards equality and diversity in law

December 2022 marked the centenary of the first woman to be admitted to the Law Society as a solicitor.

Balancing being a mother and a solicitor

Monica reflects on her experiences of juggling motherhood and a career as a solicitor.

upReach

Find out more about the multi-award-winning social mobility charity

What is upReach?

Do you want to get a head start on your graduate career, gain professional skills, and secure exclusive work experience opportunities in the legal sector? Then join upReach today!

Breaking barriers: social mobility in the legal sector

Should who your parents are, the conditions you were born into or how you look determine the feasibility of a legal career?