Law firms & 2020 social mobility rankings

The index ranks employers according to who has taken the most action on social mobility in the workplace. 119 employers across 18 different sectors took part, answering about 100 questions in seven key areas.

PwC retained its crown as number one in the UK, having shown continuous improvement.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner achieved top ranking among law firms, at number four in the index, with Browne Jacobson hot on its heels at number five, the Ministry of Justice at number six, Herbert Smith Freehills at number seven, Baker McKenzie in 10^th place and Linklaters in 11^th place.

Next up were Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer at number 19, Hogan Lovells International at number 20, Brodies in 24^th place, Slaughter and May in 25^th place, Allen & Overy 28^th, Pinsent Masons 30^th, RPC 35^th, Shoosmiths 38^th, Burges Salmon 39^th, DWF 40^th and CMS 41^st.

Also highly ranked were Squire Patton Boggs (46^th), Freeths (51^st), Shepherd and Wedderburn (52^nd), The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple (53^rd), Crown Prosecution Service (55^th), Simmons & Simmons (57^th), Lewis Silkin (59^th), Radcliffe Chambers (61^st), Mayer Brown International (66^th), MacFarlanes (67^th) and Charles Russell Speechlys at number 72.

Law Society president David Greene said: ‘For our profession to thrive, we need talented individuals from diverse backgrounds.

‘The law offers a highly rewarding career path and any aspiring solicitor should be able to access and progress in the profession―regardless of their socio-economic background.’