To put it bluntly, yes, and there’s still work to do. While things have improved over the years, the legal profession hasn’t completely shaken off its reputation for being openly exclusive.
Many people still feel that breaking into a London law firm can depend as much on background and connections as it does on talent.
Progress is happening
To be fair, it’s not all doom and people looking down their noses at you. Law firms across the UK are making a genuine effort to open doors, it’s just very slow going. With the introduction of outreach programmes and inclusive hiring policies, a typical London law firm is far more aware of diversity than it was even a decade ago. That’s progress, but it’s currently not enough.
Where the gaps still show
It’s not just about ethnicity or gender, as financial background and class still play a huge role too. Unfortunately, many in the sector are still all about the money and wealth seems to speak loudly. According to a recent Law Society report, solicitors from less privileged backgrounds remain in the minority.
What firms can actually do
Improving diversity isn’t just a box-ticking exercise or a compliance activity. Every London law firm needs to look at everything they do to find ways to improve, from recruitment practices to workplace culture. If you’re curious how some firms such as www.forsters.co.uk/ approach this, explore their sites.
Diversity in UK law is improving but it’s a way of being “fixed”. There’s momentum, but also plenty of room to do better.
