Diversity Table recession proof

Entries for the Diversity League Table increased in 2009 despite the effects of the recession.

The table, now in its fourth year, is produced by the Black Solicitors Network (BSN). It surveys participating firms on gender and ethnic minority (EM) representation. For the first time, the compilers of the survey included data on sexual orientation and disability. Barristers’ chambers also made their debut in the table.

A total of 49 law firms took part, a 20% increase on last year. Some 23 out of 60 chambers approached for the survey agreed to take part. Best practice case studies, interviews with key legal figures and examples of diversity initiatives are included in the table.

One Garden Court scored highest among chambers taking part, followed by 25 Bedford Row and Tooks Chambers in joint second place.Thompsons had the highest ranking of participating law firms, followed by Wedlake Bell and Russell Jones and Walker.

Overall, ethnic minorities are represented by nearly 14% of trainees, nearly 9% of associates and 3.5% of partners. Women account for 55% of associates and 22% of partners.

Solicitor Michael Webster, editor of the table, says: “The data tells the story; whilst there are many positives, the league table also highlights a decrease in the numbers of ethnic minority lawyers across many areas. So there is still some way to go.

“Maybe we need to start looking more closely at the actual impact of some of the initiatives which attempt to attract more ethnic minority lawyers to the profession. It is also important to look at what initiatives exist to assist in the retention of ethnic minority lawyers as it is the percentages at the associate and partner levels within the leading firms which are decreasing.”

David Edmonds, chairman of the Legal Services Board, said: “I believe the profession must now start to create a universal framework to measure the effectiveness of the many laudable initiatives being undertaken across the sector—both to chart the impact of current programmes and to identify where the gaps are and to start to tackle them.

“I welcome the fact that this League Table shifts the emphasis onto what is actually being achieved and how achievement can be measured.”