LAW firms in the UK, overall, are struggling to retain and progress Black solicitors from junior ranks and middle to senior positions, a study report published by legal sector specialist inclusion consultancy extense.
Currently, there are only about 90 black partners overall in UK firms with more than 10 partners or 1 per cent of all partners at significant UK firms. While white partners make up 90 per cent of all partners, there are estimated to be nearly five times as many Asian partners as Black partners, but it is still only about four to five per cent.
The survey called ‘The 1% Study’ by extense was endorsed by the Black Solicitors Network, The Law Society of England and Wales, and the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
It is a primary research investigation, to discover the key contributing factors that have assisted Black solicitors to reach partnership levels within major law firms in the UK.
The report says: “Several firms are making real strides in limited aspects. Creating a more inclusive organisation requires a holistic, firm-wide approach. A concerted evidence-based approach, and bold, targeted actions are critical for sustainable improvement”.
The study suggests five steps to boost black representation at the partner level.
The official Patron of “The 1% Study” is Rt Hon. David Lammy MP (Shadow Foreign Secretary).
Five significant law firms that have a track of investing in advancing Black talent to top positions and sponsoring “The 1% Study” include Linklaters, DLA Piper, Latham & Watkins, Herbert Smith Freehills, and Hogan Lovells.
David Lammy MP, who supported the publication, said: “The 1% Study provides an action-focused, evidence-based guide for law firms on how to better attract, retain, develop, and progress black talent to senior levels. The report disaggregates ‘BAME’ to identify the patterns and trends that affect the progression of black solicitors within private practice.”
Nik Kiri, the global diversity and inclusion partner at Linklaters, commented: “It’s great to see law firms collaborating to support this study and collectively taking action to address the underrepresentation of Black solicitors at the partnership level across the UK legal sector. ‘The 1% Study’ aligns with our work – set out in our Race Action Plan – to strengthen Black representation within our partnership and at all levels of our firm.”
The Law Society of England and Wales published a roadmap for workplace diversity and inclusion last month to assist law firms in adopting a strategic strategy for enhancing equality.
The framework was developed with the assistance of the consultancy Delta Alpha Psi, whose customers include the BBC, the NHS, and HM Revenue & Customs in addition to the Magic Circle UK legal firm Linklaters. It calls on law firms to submit diversity and inclusion case studies so that “best practise that actually worked” can be shared, and it offers an action plan form as well as links to more guidance and resources.
Earlier this year, Solicitors Regulation Authority published an overview of diversity in the solicitors’ profession, which also revealed that BAME representation in the overall legal profession is just 17 per cent.
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