Diversity: Diversity

Welcome

Welcome to LCN's Diversity hub, sponsored by Gowling WLG (UK) LLP

Introduction to diversity

D&I at Gowling WLG

"We give DE&I the resource and leadership it needs to drive action."

Find out more!

Social mobility in the legal profession

"Will my socioeconomic background impact my chance of securing a training contract?"

Find out what law firms are doing

Welcome D&I at Gowling WLG Social mobility in the legal profession

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In conversation with Sushil Kuner

Find out about Sushil’s journey into law, from qualifying, the credit crash, redundancies and becoming a financial regulatory specialist.

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Diversity and inclusion – Q&A

"Be yourself and be confident in your own ability – never try to change yourself to suit other people’s expectations. Always be mindful and eventually people will adjust to you in the same way you’ll adjust to others."

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Our Inclusion for All strategy: two years on

Gowling WLG (UK) LLP

In this piece, we’re going to take a look at the impact that IFA has had since it was introduced, including the initiatives rolled out and some of the highlights of the past two years.

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Find out more about working at Gowling!

With 1,500 legal professionals in 20 cities worldwide, Gowling WLG provide clients with expertise in key global sectors, offering legal services at home and abroad.

Hear more from Gowling WLG (UK) LLP

How wellbeing is integral to DE&I at Gowling WLG

We speak to Sally Glarvey, head of DE&I and wellbeing at Gowling WLG (UK) LLP, about how the firm prioritises the wellbeing of its employees.

Supporting our colleagues through the menopause

In 2022 we introduced a menopause policy to support those who are experiencing menopause or have already been through it, as well as those who are supporting somebody through it.

Developing your career through mentoring

At Gowling WLG (UK) LLP, mentoring is something we encourage all of our people to take advantage of.

Why becoming an inclusion ally makes a difference

As of 2023, Gowling WLG (UK) LLP has 218 inclusion allies across the firm.

Gowling podcasts

This podcast series explores the different and diverse paths into the legal industry

The Space: elevating early talent - episode one - Ron Huletey

From Winnipeg in Canada, studying in Leicester and eventually settling in Birmingham as a paralegal, Ron is now taking the next step in his legal career as his team sponsors him through to qualification as a solicitor.

The Space: elevating early talent - episode two - Inge Perry

Emma and Inge discuss the varied work a trainee experiences, her vacation scheme, and her studies prior to joining the firm.

The Space: elevating early talent - episode three - Ben Stansfield

Ben and Emma talk over Ben's journey in law and his development from trainee to partner.

LGBTQ+ representation in the legal profession

Six must-read books on LGBTQ+ legal issues

Let’s look at some LGBTQ+ books, both fiction and non-fiction, to entertain and inform us this LGBTQ+ History Month.

How do I ensure I’m practising allyship towards the LGBTQ+ community?

"I’ve recently seen the term LGBTQ+ ally, but what is it and how can I be an authentic ally?"

LGBTQ+ History Month: our history through legislation

We take a look at the laws that have landed us where we are today.

Being proud and queer in the legal profession with Anna Casey-Woodward and Bridget Garrood

Diversity and inclusion is at the forefront of most firms. But how can you tell which firms are truly inclusive and supportive?

Race, religion and belief

Black barristers: are wigs outdated?

Niamh Gray (they/them)

Barrister wigs have been a long-standing tradition since the 17th Century, but is the dress code outdated and alienating aspiring barristers from pursuing careers at the Bar?

Black candidates share legal recruitment experiences

Structural inequality and a lack of representation at senior levels mean that Black candidates continue to face additional barriers to becoming lawyers.

Drinking culture, religion and networking opportunities

The Oracle

"I want to network with my colleagues but I don’t want to drink alcohol – what do I do?"

Five diversity access schemes in law for Black aspiring lawyers

"Are there any law-related diversity access schemes designed to improve access to the profession for Black aspiring lawyers?"

Diversity Access Schemes

Find a list of several schemes.

The power of networking: your key to success in the legal profession

With Nadine Allen

Age discrimination in law

Am I too old to become a solicitor?

"I’m in my 40s and thinking about retraining as a solicitor, but is there any point? I have heard that recruitment focuses on young graduates."

Career changers: five tips for those switching careers to the legal profession

If you’re serious about moving into the legal profession, read our five tips to help you get started.

Retired workers returning to the workforce - beware age discrimination in the workplace

It’s important that policies and employees are up to date around age discrimination.

Firm insights

Find out about firms' diversity and inclusion initiatives straight from recruiters and practising lawyers

Meet the Lawyer

Luke Gueli

Luke Gueli is an associate in the corporate team at Jones Day. In this interview, Luke outlines how the firm’s non-rotational training system works, the international work Jones Day is involved in and his role as a trainee and a newly qualified associate advising multi-national corporations on corporate transactions.

Meet the Lawyer

Ugo Ebhogiaye

Experience, whether legal or not, is invaluable Ugo Ebhogiaye, an associate at Trowers & Hamlins LLP, tells us. Learn about Ugo’s time as a paralegal, her remote placement in Oman during the pandemic and what her role as chair of the firm’s Race Ethnicity and Heritage Network involves.

Meet the Lawyer

Krishna Patel

Krishna Patel, managing associate at leading national law firm Stevens & Bolton LLP, shares details of his journey into the legal profession, his area of expertise and the type of corporate finance work he takes on, including M&A, and his advice for you. Read Krishna’s insights in this Meet the Lawyer profile.

Disability inclusion

Is tying bonuses to office attendance truly inclusive?

Is the remote working movement really coming to an end? Some of the biggest firms in the country and the world appear to have answered that question.

Removing barriers for ADHD lawyers

Read this LCN Says on equal opportunities for ADHD lawyers

How to find the right law firm for your career and disability

Read advice from Demi Rixon.

What is neurodiversity at work?

Neurodiversity refers to the natural diversity of the wiring of the human brain (how people process information differently).

How accessible is the legal profession for lawyers with disabilities?

"Should I disclose my disability when I apply for a vacation scheme? Are careers in the legal profession accessible for candidates with disabilities?"

Feature

Mind the gender pay gap: progress and next steps for the legal profession

It comes as no surprise that gender equality in the legal profession remains an issue that law firms and barristers' chambers alike attempt to address. In this Feature, we’ll consider the progress made so far, what 2025 looks like for women in the legal profession, and the steps law firms and chambers must take to ‘Accelerate Action’ – the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD).

How to be a disability ally

The Abled Lawyer

There’s so much power an individual possesses when it comes to creating cultural change for better disability inclusion.

LCN Says

Alicia Virtue - Your background shouldn’t be a barrier to reaching your goals

Alicia Virtue

The legal profession has a long way to go before it’s truly representative of the population it serves and it’s still playing catch-up when it comes to recognising the benefits diversity can bring.

Social mobility

Will my socioeconomic background impact my chance of securing a training contract? What are law firms doing to improve the representation of people from low socioeconomic backgrounds?

Recent podcasts

The past, present and future of women in law - with Dana Denis-Smith

We chat about why Dana launched the First 100 Years, the mission behind Obelisk Support, the future of the legal profession for women and the new scholarship campaign - Paving the Way.

Life as an LGBTQ+ lawyer - with Danni Davies and Michael Tushingham

In this episode we speak to real estate lawyer Danni Davies (they/them) from Latham & Watkins and tax associate Michael Tushingham (he/him) from Gowling WLG (UK) LLP about life as an LGBTQ+ lawyer.

Neurodiversity and the legal profession – with Phil Steventon

Phil Steventon from The Neurodivergent Lawyer blog shares his experiences and insight into neurodiversity, including how it might impact people’s journey to becoming a lawyer.

Diversity and inclusion in the legal profession - with Gowling WLG

In this episode, we speak to Emma Dennis, diversity and Inclusion manager at international law firm Gowling WLG (UK) LLP.

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Diversity and inclusion: Q&A with Gowling WLG’s Greg Standing

Head of enterprise risk management, Greg shares his experience at Gowling after losing his hearing and being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

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Disability and inclusion: Q&A with Gowling WLG’s Vivienne Reeve

Vivienne Reeve opens up about the two conditions she has been diagnosed with and how she continues to do the job she loves thanks to her supportive team and firm.

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Find out more about working at Gowling

With 1,500 legal professionals in 20 cities worldwide, Gowling WLG provide clients with expertise in key global sectors, offering legal services at home and abroad

Women in law

Belonging at the Bar: women’s journey from barriers to barristers

We’re no strangers to women in the courtroom on TV but very few (if any) programmes express the difficulty women have faced getting to this point.

The women who changed the legal industry

Women have been vying for their place within the legal profession for well over 100 years.

Celebrating 100 years of women solicitors – the drive towards equality and diversity in law

December 2022 marked the centenary of the first woman to be admitted to the Law Society as a solicitor.

Balancing being a mother and a solicitor

Monica reflects on her experiences of juggling motherhood and a career as a solicitor.

Mind the gender pay gap: progress and next steps for the legal profession

We consider the progress made so far, what 2025 looks like for women in the legal profession, and the steps law firms and chambers must take to ‘Accelerate Action’.

upReach

Find out more about the multi-award-winning social mobility charity

What is upReach?

Do you want to get a head start on your graduate career, gain professional skills, and secure exclusive work experience opportunities in the legal sector? Then join upReach today!

Breaking barriers: social mobility in the legal sector

Should who your parents are, the conditions you were born into or how you look determine the feasibility of a legal career?

REALrating by upReach

REALrating has been designed to contextualise academic performance and highlight candidates’ potential to succeed