Excellence in Equality and Diversity 2012

Winner

AMV Law
With a workforce that is over 65 per cent female, covering many different ethnicities and language groups, niche firm AMV Law prides itself on staff diversity. The firm offers a flexible, supportive environment that allows their team to balance work with family commitments, with 42 per cent of staff working part-time. The firm also works closely with the local community, supporting underprivileged youth through career advice and work experience opportunities.

Highly commended

Eversheds LLP
International firm Eversheds runs a revolutionary experiential programme for disadvantaged A-level students, to give them a taste of life in a law firm
coupled with development and mentoring opportunities. The Eversheds Unlocked scheme took 20 students each into its Birmingham, Cardiff, Leeds, London and Manchester offices during 2011-12. This year saw the launch of the Unlocked Academy, supporting the most engaged students from the Unlocked programme through their studies.

Hogan Lovells Global Diversity Business Plan
The Hogan Lovells Global Diversity Business Plan aims to increase the number of female partners and managers in the firm. The plan has been supported by changing flexible working practices to welcome all reasonable requests, championing flexible working at partner level and providing line manager guidance. Two internal programmes, senior associate mentoring and maternity mentoring, offer support at pivotal career moments for female employees.

Shortlisted

Addleshaw Goddard
Addleshaw Goddard's development programme aims to inspire and support female employees, to increase gender diversity in senior positions. The firm runs a series of workshops to establish lasting relationships between lawyers and clients, and provides an online community that enables colleagues at different locations to stay in touch and share information and ideas.

Africa International Legal Awareness
Africa International Legal Awareness works with lawyers from developing nations to build knowledge in investment treaty law and arbitration. The scheme offers lectures and publications, as well as an annual intensive training programme for government and private practice lawyers from across Africa. African International Legal Awareness also offers pro bono legal advice on investment treaty issues.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP and Addleshaw Goddard LLP
CMS Cameron McKenna and Addleshaw Goddard LLP have together developed an e-learning training programme that aims to foster an inclusive working culture. The training focuses on ethical leadership, and will be used by each firm as well as being made available for use by other organisations. It can be adapted for accessibility, and demonstrates a commitment to developing a diverse and inclusive workplace that recognises high performers.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP - Hindu Network
CMS Cameron McKenna's Hindu Network supports and encourages debate in the Hindu legal community. It has an international reach, hosting over 54 events and 90 hours worth of talks on topics as diverse as vegetarianism, religion and ethics, which have been used by over 850 organisations across the world through downloads and podcasts.

Hogan Lovells - Ladder to Law
The Hogan Lovells Ladder to Law programme is a springboard into the legal profession for students from seven London schools. It offers students an insight into studying law at university and legal life. Students attend interactive workshops led by trainee solicitors, attend legal career development days and have the opportunity to take part in work experience placements.

Irwin Mitchell LLP
Irwin Mitchell encourages diversity though its network of diversity champions, which act as catalysts for cultural change. The groups, which cover six major areas of diversity, get involved in activities like supporting Pride events, and raising awareness to increase gender equity in senior roles. The firm has been recognised as having the second highest number of female equity partners in The Lawyer UK 200 Annual Report.