Our internal diversity networks
These are our internal networks and groups we have established, click to view more information.
Aaron G
Associate
Baker McKenzie
Holly T
Future Trainee Solicitor
Baker McKenzie
Kim S
Senior Associate
Baker McKenzie
Luke R
Senior Associate
Baker McKenzie
Sarah P
Partner
Baker McKenzie
External Diversity Initiatives:
- Aspiring Solicitors
- BITC
- BLD Foundation
- Career Ready
- Cityparents
- City Solicitors Horizons
- Colour Brave with Race for Opportunity
- Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion
- Enabling Enterprise Programme
- InterLaw
- Lawyers in School
- Law Society Diversity and Inclusion Charter
- My Family Care
- NOTICED
- PRIME
- Rare Contextual Recruitment System
- Social Mobility Foundation
- Stonewall
- The 30% Club
- UN Women’s Corporate Advisory Group
- UN Women’s Empowerment Principles Signatory
Awards & Recognition:
- Featured in Business in the Community’s Top 100 Employers for Race listing
- Ranked 5th in the 2019 Social Mobility Employer Index
- Named one of Stonewall’s Top Global Employers for the fourth consecutive year in 2019
- Ranked 12th in Stonewall’s Top 100 Best UK Employers listing in 2020, and named as a Top Trans Employer
- Winner of the Best International Firm (UK), Best International Firm for Minority Women Lawyers, and Best International Firm for Women in Business Law at the European Women in Business Law Awards 2019
- Best for Diversity & Inclusion (AllAboutLaw Awards 2018 and 2017)
- Commendation for Diversity – LawCareers.Net Training and Recruitment Awards
The reason why I wanted to join Baker McKenzie was due to the firm’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. The firm embodies this commitment through their BakerEthnicity mentoring programme. As a Trainee Solicitor, the programme has allowed me to network with a diverse group of lawyers and to learn from senior partners. This has been invaluable to my personal development.
Furthermore, I am proud to be part of a firm that partners with Aspiring Solicitors. The firm organises open days throughout the year providing AS Members an insight into a global and innovative firm that prioritises diversity and inclusion.
Baker McKenzie Q&A:
How does Bakers shows its commitment to social mobility?
Baker McKenzie has focused actively on social mobility for over a decade. We have been at the forefront of a number of key developments in this space, for instance, we were one of the first employers in any industry to publicly commit to using Rare Recruitment’s Contextual Recruitment System. We actively encourage staff at all levels to take part in state school outreach activities. Last year alone, we reached almost 5,000 state school students through these efforts. In 2016 Baker McKenzie became one of 11 UK Social Mobility Champions, but perhaps the evidence is in who we hire into the firm.
What advice would Bakers give to aspiring commercial solicitors from low-income backgrounds, first generation undergraduates and/or state school comprehensive students?
The legal profession is becoming increasingly diverse and there are a growing number of opportunities for those from less traditional backgrounds to connect with lawyers and recruiters. Be proactive in seeking out these opportunities and putting yourself forward. If you have worked part time to fund your studies, do not shy away from showcasing the skills and attributes you have developed.
Why does Bakers work with initiatives like Aspiring Solicitors (and other diversity platforms)?
We partner with organisations who share our values. We believe diversity makes us stronger and better placed to serve the communities in which we operate. Working with organisations such as Aspiring Solicitors has helped us to widen our reach and access students who perhaps may not have considered Baker McKenzie as a future employer.
What other platforms has Bakers utilised to increase social mobility?
A number of our lawyers actively volunteer in schools as part of our Back to School Volunteer scheme and we run a large Prime work experience programme (last year we offered three times the number of placements required under the Prime commitment). We use Rare’s Contextual Recruitment System, which has helped us to identify talented candidates who in previous years would not have made it through the first stage of our selection process.
