Bristows

Diversity at Bristows:

As a firm, and as individuals, we do all that we can to treat people fairly and with mutual respect, whether they are colleagues, clients or suppliers. This commitment enriches our work and our working lives, and we absolutely believe it has played a key part in our success over the years.

We work hard to maintain our culture where individuals can thrive and succeed. Our efforts focus on the following core areas, in which we are seeing meaningful progress year on year: 

• Grassroots/legal profession
• Recruitment retention and promotion
• Firm culture and inclusivity
• Training and education

Our commitment to DE&I is driven from the top and we are delighted that in addition to our pioneering and long history of women in leadership roles, our current Joint Managing Partner, Adrian Sim, is an active member of our LGBT+ community and a committee member for one of our key DE&I groups.

One of our core values is ambition and we know there is more to do in terms of DE&I. We care about making sure that our successes to date are a springboard to greater progress in this area. 

We are committed to providing a workplace where no employee or partner is treated less favourably because of their personal characteristics.

Our Networks exist to:

• Be the working groups that brings our DE&I strategy to life, with ideas, actions and initiatives
• Promote DE&I at Bristows
• Ensure the firm’s DE&I strategy and annual action plans in relation to each network are actively supported and act as an advocate for positive change
• Share best practice gained from memberships, external networks and committee roles to ensure the firm benefits appropriately
• Introduce key contacts, experts and referrers to the firm and vice-versa to ensure Bristows is “plugged in” and seen as a firm committed to DE&I and is knowledgeable about it
• Disseminate knowledge and information to the wider firm
• Keep up to date with DE&I initiatives within the firm and proactively support them
• Help the firm identify training needs, the development, implementation and review of relevant firm-wide policies, procedures and action plans or support needed within the firm to raise awareness
• Act as an internal and external commentator on DE&I issues
• Ensure representation at all levels within the firm
• Represent the Networks at each Inclusion Group meeting to highlight progress, plans and development areas, contribute to agenda items and feed in ideas and suggestions for the advancement of DE&I within the firm

The Inclusion Group

Bristows established its “Equality and Diversity Committee” in 2007, with the aim of championing equality of opportunity and diversity in all aspects of the firm’s business. Committee members include a number of partners, associates of all levels, PAs and business support staff. While having a diverse workforce is key to success, making sure that everyone within the firm feels included is also an important factor, so the committee re-branded to become “The Inclusion Group”. This refreshed focus on the inclusion of everyone at Bristows was launched in 2020 and has offered a new lease of life to the activities that members of the Inclusion Group organise across each year.

LGBTQIA+

The Turing Network was formed in 2007 and was the firm’s first employee network group. Named after Alan Turing, this network aims to provide a safe space for all LGBTQIA+ partners and employees to support each other and for allies to show their commitment to inclusion in relation to LGBT+ issues. The network offers role models, peer support and mentoring for LGBTQIA+ people working at Bristows and also works closely with external LGBTQIA+ groups to progress equality for all within the legal sector. The network runs a vast array of independent and collaborative events throughout each year that raise awareness of current topics within the community, celebrate the unique identities within the community and offer support to the wider community.

Gender

The Women’s Network was officially launched on International Women’s Day 2020 and, with the support of both our female and male partners, works to drive equity and opportunity for all genders within the workplace. The work at Bristows to empower women in the city started more than 20 years ago, when the firm appointed the first female Joint Managing Partner of a City firm. With more than two thirds of the Bristows workforce identifying as female, this network will work for years to come to progress equality for all in the legal sector and across the city as a whole.  

The Families and Carers Network

The Families and Carers Network was launched in 2020 and created a space for all working parents, guardians and carers to offer and receive support throughout all stages of parenthood, managing caring responsibilities and maintaining a successful career.

Lyda network (named in honour of Lyda Newman)

The UK legal industry faces a general challenge of accessibility to individuals from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds. The Lyda Network, launched in 2023 focusses on the following:

• Support and wellbeing 
• Recruitment 
• Promotion and retention 
• Best practice 

The network and its events are open to all staff at Bristows, from all backgrounds. 

This name has been chosen in honour of Lyda Newman, a black female inventor who patented the first hairbrush with synthetic bristles in 1898. This was originally aimed at Afro-type hair. She was also active in the women’s rights movement in New York in the early 1900s.

Disability & Neurodivergence Network

The Network was launched in 2025 and aims to focus on the following: 

• Inclusive representation – to embrace a culture where individuals with disabilities or neurodivergence feel represented and supported and to provide a platform for feedback, mutual support, and understanding; helping employees feel valued and able to perform at their best.
• Support, wellbeing & fostering a comfortable work environment – to act as a support system for employees and to ensure the work environment meets the specific needs of individuals with disabilities or neurodivergence so that everyone can feel valued, heard, bring their best self to work and thrive at Bristows.
• Education and awareness – to educate all staff on disabilities and neurodivergence in order to recognise and address difficulties and challenges faced in a professional setting, with a view to supporting colleagues and preventing feelings of inadequacy, discouragement, or burnout.
• Recruitment – to work toward overcoming hiring barriers, show commitment to diverse recruitment and persuade diverse talent to join and stay with us.

We are members of the Business Disability Forum. They are the leading business membership organisation in disability inclusion. They are trusted partners who work with business, Government and disabled people to improve the life experiences of disabled employees and consumers, by removing barriers to inclusion. They help effect changes in business practices, products, services and policies that positively impact the life experiences of disabled people, and also benefit business.

Health and Wellbeing

The firm’s wellbeing programme has grown tremendously over the last few years and has now culminated in the creation of Wellbeing Champions within the partnership. The annual programme of wellbeing events support the physical, mental, community and financial wellbeing of our people, which has been a vital part of supporting everyone at Bristows since March 2020. The wellbeing programme has an opportunity or activity to suit everyone and can give you the time to focus on your wellbeing, so you can be your best self for your family, friends and colleagues.  The firm also has a growing team of Mental Health First Aiders, in addition to regular training on Mental Health awareness for all.

Social Mobility

As part of our commitment to the PRIME initiative, each summer we host a work experience programme for A level students. This supports our commitment to widening access to the profession to people from all backgrounds. We also host an annual workshop for sixth form students, to inform them about the full breadth of career opportunities available in the legal sector. This is open on a national basis to students from the state education sector. To read more about these schemes please see our efforts in corporate responsibility.