Diversity & Inclusion 2020 Research - Statement

As announced in 2019, Chambers and Partners will be requesting D&I-related information as part of the submissions process from the 2020/2021 research cycles and this data will now be assessed as part of the overall Chambers research and editorial. This will apply to all of our guides. I strongly encourage all firms and chambers to participate in this process and work with us on shifting the inclusion dial.

Our excellent team of research analysts will be requesting to speak to at least 50% diverse lawyers in the interview process. We hope you can support them in providing the opportunity for a range of lawyers to be a part of the interviews and client references process.

The inclusion of diversity in our research strengthens the foundations we have been laying to bring the diversity and inclusion dialogue to the legal professional globally. In 2018-19, we have achieved this through interviews with diverse lawyers and allies, requesting firm diversity data and requesting client referees who can genuinely attest to a firm’s approach to D&I as part of the D&I awards submissions process in all jurisdictions (USA, Europe, Latin America and Asia-Pacific).

We have also taken significant steps to embed D&I into the very core of our internal business.

Some of the internal initiatives we have undertaken include:

• Appointing  a Director of D&I, Dee Sekar. Dee is a  UK-qualified lawyer and D&I expert.

• Creating a specific D&I company policy which is firmly embedded in our business strategy.

• Launching an internal D&I committee, INSPIRE, which is employee-led and offers events and networking opportunities for  all of  our colleagues.

• Appointing executive sponsor D&I champions across all strands of D&I including gender, cultural inclusion, LGBT+, faith & religion, parents and carers, social mobility, age, disability, environment and sustainability, wellbeing and corporate social responsibility.

We look forward to collaborating and working with you on this global inclusion journey.

Tim Noble, CEO, Chambers and Partners