Bristows

Diversity at Bristows:

We are really proud of our long-standing positive attitude, commitment and approach towards inclusion and diversity at Bristows.

We were the first city firm to appoint a female Joint Managing Partner (well over 20 years ago now) and the third woman to hold this position is currently in post.

We work hard to maintain the culture where everyone thrives and succeeds.

As a firm and as individuals we do all 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 are committed to providing a workplace where no employee or partner, is treated less favourably because of their personal characteristics.

We recognise that bringing together a group of diverse talent with differing characteristics, views, backgrounds and experience adds value to the firm.

We will continue to nurture an inclusive working environment where everyone can bring their authentic self to work, maximise their potential and build a long-lasting career alongside our continued success as a law firm.

We place great value on attracting talented people and we want to make sure you have plenty of reasons to stay.

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, secretaries 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 Working Families and Carers Network

The Working 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.

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.

Black Asian & Minority Ethnic

The Lyda Network is an initiative dedicated to celebrating and promoting issues surrounding, race and ethnicity. Named in honour of Lyda Newman, a Black female inventor who patented the first hairbrush with synthetic bristles in 1898 and was part of the women’s rights movement in New York in the early 1900s, the network collaborates with NOTICED to focus on areas including support & wellbeing, recruitment, promotion & retention and best practice.

Social Mobility

As part of our commitment to the PRIME initiative, each summer we host a work experience programme for A level students who are part of the Social Mobility Foundation. 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.

Disability

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.