Global law firm Reed Smith was this week named winner of the “attracting talent” award within the recruitment category at the UK Diversity Legal Awards in London.
The UK Diversity Legal Awards is an initiative of the Black Solicitors Network (BSN) and the only industry awards which focus solely on recognising and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion across the legal profession.
The award recognised innovation in the area of attracting and recruiting talent. Reed Smith was acknowledged for its efforts to diversify the trainee solicitor population by attracting and recruiting candidates from a broader talent pool, with a focus on race and ethnicity, disability and social mobility.
The judges commented in particular on results in terms of recruiting BME candidates on Reed Smith’s vacation scheme and the recruitment of disabled candidates in relation to both its vacation scheme and the offer of training contracts. In 2014, Reed Smith achieved an increase of 10% in the number of BME candidates offered a vacation scheme place. All vacation scheme students are offered an automatic interview for training contracts. In addition, the firm also offered five training contracts to disabled candidates, all of which have been accepted.
The UK Diversity Legal Awards are part of the launch of BSN’s annual Diversity League Table report which ranks UK law firms and chambers on equality and diversity in the categories of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and disabilities. Reed Smith fared well in the table, being ranked at second in the total ranking for the top 10 city firms and ranked fourth overall in the league standings which considered both current demographic and practice and policy.
Sakil Suleman, partner and head of the firm’s UK Diversity Committee, commented:
“Given the importance of diversity to the success of our business, we are committed and determined to attract candidates from the widest pool possible. This award is a fantastic endorsement of the inclusion initiatives and strong partnerships we have developed in working towards this aim. There is a lot of work that still needs to be done, but we are very pleased to have been recognised by the BSN for our efforts.”
ENDS
Note to Editors:
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a global relationship law firm, with more than 1,800 lawyers in 25 offices throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the United States.
Diversity & Inclusion
Diversity and inclusion are central to Reed Smith’s business. The talent pool is changing rapidly and the firm is determined to attract candidates from the widest pool possible, to continue to be competitive and to ensure the very best service for its clients. The firm sees differences as a strength and works hard to ensure a fair and inclusive environment for all, where the unique insights, perspectives and backgrounds of individuals are valued.
Reed Smith runs a number of programmes focused on all aspects of diversity and inclusion, including: race and ethnicity, disability, social mobility, gender equality and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. The firm’s inclusion wheel summarises the key inclusion initiatives being undertaken both internally and externally.
For further information, please contact Andrew Darby (senior corporate communications executive EME) on +44 (0)20 3116 3795.