Global law firm Reed Smith has been named an ‘Architect of Meritocracy’ in the Financial Times and InterLaw Diversity Forum’s Apollo Project.
The Apollo Project, launched last year, seeks to provide employers with examples of innovative projects that have been successful at delivering real and sustainable change to make the workplace more diverse.
Winning entries are included within a wider report that showcases best practice analysis across a broad spectrum of diversity strands. It also forms part of the Financial Times’ ‘Best Places to Work’ series, which looks at how to level the playing field in the workplace.
One of only five winners, Reed Smith’s entry focused on its achievements in attracting and recruiting disabled candidates. Inspired by the Paralympics, it established a Disability Task Force in 2012 to improve internal collaboration and communications, to develop external partnerships and to increase diversity within the business.
Last year 65 disabled candidates applied for the firm’s summer vacation scheme while 60 applied for training contracts, with five offers made and accepted.
It is the seventh award the firm has received for its disability programme in the UK, following successes at The Lawyer Awards, The Lawyer Business Leadership Awards, The Legal Business Awards, The Legal Innovation Awards, the Law Society Excellence Awards and the UK Diversity Legal Awards.
Carolyn Pepper, partner and chair of the Disability Task Force, commented:
“We are delighted to be part of the Apollo Project and to have the opportunity to share our experiences with other businesses. We look forward to continuing to build on our work in this area and to ensuring that we continue to attract the best candidates from as diverse a pool as possible.”
ENDS
Note to editors:
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a global relationship law firm, with more than 1,800 lawyers in 26 offices throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the United States.
The Apollo Project
More information:
http://www.ft.com/reports/architects-meritocracy
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.