Law firm Birketts is reinforcing its commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion by being shortlisted in two categories for the Legal 500 ESG awards.
The law firm has seen Senior Partner, Chris Schwer make the shortlist for Social Mobility Champion, while the whole firm has made the shortlist for the Women in Law: Best Initiative to Improve Female Representation within Senior Ranks.
Chris has made social mobility a central tenet of his tenure as senior partner. Together with the leadership team at Birketts, he has been instrumental in supporting up and coming lawyers to deliver the project. This initiative, originally conceived and put into action by our junior lawyers, highlights their innovative thinking and dedication to making a positive impact
The firm’s Social Mobility Insight into Law Experience (SMILE) initiative sees Year 12 students, who are interested in a career in law and meet the PRIME social mobility criteria, spend a week at Birketts. Students are buddied with trainees and NQ solicitors, and gain experience in several seats in addition to workshops relating to legal based tasks and how the business services arm of the firm work together.
The SMILE initiative, though only introduced in the firm’s Ipswich and Chelmsford offices in 2024, was such a success that it will be rolled out to other offices, including Birketts’ new Bristol office, in 2025.
Thanks to Birketts dedicated female representation development programmes, including ‘Clearing the pathway to leadership’ and ‘Pathway to Partner’ 41% of Birketts’ Partnership are now women, up 14% since 2020, with ambitions to increase this to 45% by 2026 and 50% by 2030
Clearing the Pathway to Leadership and Pathway to Partner initiatives involve workshops designed to significantly enhance female representation in senior roles. These workshops provide targeted training and mentorship, equipping women with the skills, confidence, and networks necessary to advance their careers. By the end of the workshop, participants will have their own roadmap to progress their career on their terms and the resources to be more confident in their day-to-day role.
Bernadette Baker, Chair of Birketts People and Culture Committee, stated: “Amidst the discourse on scaling back diversity and inclusion efforts, Birketts proudly takes a divergent path. Our exemplary record of women in leadership inspires us to set even loftier goals.
“Social mobility is also a critical focus for us. We are committed to creating an initiative that goes beyond superficial gestures, providing young individuals considering a legal career with an authentic insight into the profession and the inner workings of a law firm. We hope this experience will ignite their passion and instil the confidence needed to advance.
“By embracing a wider talent pool and promoting more women to leadership roles, we enhance our collective expertise and send a powerful message that Birketts is a place where careers can flourish, irrespective of background or gender.”
Birketts will join other shortlisted firms and individuals at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London on 25 March 2025 for the Legal 500 ESG UK Awards ceremony.
About Birketts
Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich, Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: real estate, corporate services, litigation, and private client advisory.