City solicitors from less advantaged socio-economic backgrounds are more likely than their peers to be the highest performers in their firms. Among state school trainees, for example, 14% received the highest review ratings compared to 8% of independently educated trainees. Similarly, 14% of first generation university trainees receive high performance review ratings compared to 10% of their peers. Despite this, however, these solicitors are less likely to advance their careers at an early stage or to be retained by the firm. These are the results of a unique study of 2,800 lawyers and interviews with employees at eight global law firms by the Bridge Group, which promotes socio-economic diversity, and the Sutton Trust.
04 October 2018
Talent held back
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Gibson Dunn—Richard Surtees
Gibson Dunn adds employee benefits and executive compensation practice in London with partner Richard Surtees
Laytons ETL—Alec Cameron
Laytons ETL appoints new partner and head of intellectual property disputes
Muckle LLP—Roland Fairlamb
Specialist associate solicitor rejoins Muckle’s leading employment team
NEWS
A series of recent decisions has clarified important principles across property law, from perpetuities to lease renewals and public rights over land
Employers cannot rely on wellbeing services alone to defend workplace stress claims after a High Court decision awarding almost £1m to an overworked employee
Andy Burnham's brand of 'Manchesterism' could offer fresh thinking on legal aid and access to justice if it reaches Westminster, according to Roger Smith, NLJ columnist and former director of JUSTICE
The constitutional fallout from a change of prime minister, rather than the politics, is under scrutiny as questions arise over the limits of executive authority in a leadership transition
The legal profession is undergoing a fundamental shift from selling services to creating technology-enabled products, according to Professor Luke Mason, Head of School of Law at Regent's University London
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