Law firms team up with myGwork LGBT network

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Who said that law firms are too macho an environment for LGBT professionals to work in? Times have changed and in recent years major law firms have updated their diversity and inclusion policies to attract and even embrace LGBT employees to an increasing extent.

While many law firms have already been recognised as Diversity Champions by Stonewall and been included on their list of top 100 workplace index, some firms have decided to go one step further in their search for talent by teaming up with myGwork to not only showcase the good work they are doing for their LGBT employees but also to search for the freshest new LGBT talent around.

According to research conducted by the Human Rights Campaign, 62% of LGBT graduates feel like they have to be closeted when they start their first job. Studies also show that 80% of professionals in the US and UK are more likely to choose a firm that they consider inclusive so they can be themselves (OutNow report 2020).

Michael Filice, President of the Queen Mary Postgraduate Law Students says: ‘I care about LGBT friendly policies because I want to work for a company that respects LGBT people and my values.’

Reed Smith LLP is the first global law firm to join myGwork

Reed Smith is the first global law firm to join the award-winning recruitment hub for LGBT professionals. Alicia Millar, EME Learning and Development Manager and co-chair of Reed Smith’s LGBT network (PRISM), says that the firm is proud to be working so closely with myGwork as its first global law firm partner.

‘We have always wanted to lead the way in matters of diversity and inclusion,’ she explains. ‘Reed Smith works continuously to foster an inclusive environment that supports the growth and development of all of our people, and by extension, our firm. Our Diversity Committee is always looking for more ways that we can further our diversity and inclusion objectives. We are vocal champions of LGBT rights across the firm and in the wider legal industry. We make ourselves available to discuss any sensitive issues that arise.’

Her fellow co-chair, Huw Morris, a Senior Associate in Reed Smith’s Entertainment and Media Industry Group and Head of the UK Advertising law team, notes how important it is to showcase the work the firm does for their LGBT employees. ‘Partnering with myGwork is the perfect way for our firm to further its mission to attract and retain top LGBT talent as well as providing us with an external forum to showcase activities and initiatives in the LGBT space. Pierre and Adrien are definitely changing the landscape for professionals and organisations. We’re excited to be joining them on this journey, and leading the way in LGBT recruitment in the legal sector with our partnership with myGwork as its first international law firm member.’

Huw also believes that it is absolutely crucial these days for global firms to be LGBT-friendly in order to develop strong business relations.  ‘We build relationships by offering a truly holistic service to our clients,’ he explains. ‘Not only do we provide expert legal advice to our clients, we also offer training, reciprocal secondments, hold client-focused industry events, make introductions to other clients and contacts, and we partner with clients on pro bono and community initiatives. We are increasingly finding that clients ask us what we are doing in terms of promoting diversity and inclusion within our organisation. They often have their own programmes in place and want to see that the companies that they work with share their values. Finding synergies helps us form true partnerships with our clients.’

Alicia says that she thinks diversity is the cornerstone of Reed Smith’s recruitment agenda. ‘The talent pool is changing rapidly and we are determined to attract candidates from the widest pool possible, to continue to be competitive and to ensure the very best service for our clients. We have a Diversity Committee which oversees our diversity and inclusion initiatives, and there are various sub-committees whose focus is on the various strands of diversity, including our Womenin Reed Smith Forum, our Multicultural network, our Disability Task Force, and of course, PRISM, our LGBT network for the EMEA region.’

Huw says that Reed Smith’s partnership with myGwork has definitely been a useful tool to reach LGBT candidates: ‘myGwork is a young and dynamic company, and Pierre and Adrien are really going places, having recently won a host of awards. It’s an exciting time for us to be involved with them, and we’re thrilled that they have chosen Reed Smith to be the first global law firm member of their site.’

More and more UK law firms are seeking to employ more LGBT candidates. Lewis Silkin has also teamed up with myGwork

Lewis Silkin is a company that is sending out a clear message of inclusion to the LGBT community. When The Law Society highlighted in a recent report the lack of LGBT employee networks within law firms, Lewis Silkin was keen to address the problem.

Managing Associate of Lewis Silkin, Geraint Lloyd-Taylor, says: ‘We have an open, friendly and diverse culture and we passionately believe that welcoming, supporting and nurturing LGBT staff, and generally supporting LGBT-equality, is the right thing to do. And we don’t do it to tick boxes, we do it because we want everyone here to feel that they can be themselves, and to know that sexual orientation and gender identity are just not an issue.  Personally, I think it’s the responsibility of every business, and every reasonable person, to champion equality in all its forms.’

Lewis Silkin Associate Alan Hunt is proud that his company is one of the first law firms in the UK to partner with myGwork. ‘We are always interested in hearing from talented people and myGwork’s platform allows us greater online reach in this increasingly connected world. With myGwork’s support, we will continue to promote diversity throughout our firm and support initiatives to increase diversity and social mobility in the legal profession.’

To learn more about Reed Smith LLP, Lewis Silkin LLP, and smaller firms such as Accounts & Legal based in Camden who have partnered with myGwork please visit myGwork.com.  Be sure to take this opportunity to network with thousands LGBT professionals worldwide.

Words by ADRIEN GAUBERT