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The 5^th Diversity League Table presents a new order, as Linklaters and One Crown Office Row now head up the overall league tables for firms and Chambers respectively in 2010.

The Diversity League Table, produced by the Black Solicitors Network, is an important management tool and one of the legal profession’s leading diversity reporting publications. Looking across four diversity strands of disability, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation, the publication offers the diversity profiles of many of the UK’s leading firms and Chambers, also ranking them in key areas before compiling the various tables which come together to give the overall Diversity League Table.

The 2010 Diversity League Table sees the introduction of the BSN Diversity Quotient™.

The Diversity Quotient is made up in part by the demographic rankings, and also a new component, “Policy & Practice” rankings. This new aspect makes it possible to consider day-to-day actions taken to improve diversity within a practise, alongside actual outcomes. Participants are given a score in both areas (demographic ranking and policy & practice ranking) and the combined scores are used to determine their Diversity Quotient, which in turn is used to determine their position in the overall Diversity League Table.

DLT Editor and BSN board member, Michael Webster said, “Feedback from firms and Chambers who took part in previous years helped us to develop this new strand of reporting. Importantly, as well as measuring a very important area of activity, the new Policy & Practice metric makes it much easier for participants to monitor and benchmark; thus helping to identify areas where specific attention might be required over the coming 12 months.”

Mr Webster adds, “If participants work towards improving their score in this way, it should help to accelerate improvements within their own organisations; something that can only be good for diversity and inclusion across the profession as whole.”

Firms have been involved since 2006 and this year 48 firms took part in the survey, down only one from 2009. For Chambers, who only started to take part in the survey last year, the number who participated was 16.

With a Diversity Quotient score 836 (out of 1000), Linklaters take the overall number one position in this year’s Diversity League Table.

Simon Davies, Linklaters Firmwide Managing Partner said, “Building a diverse, inclusive culture is one of our main priorities. We aim to have a working environment in which individual differences are respected and valued and colleagues support and encourage one another to excel. The Black Solicitors Network encourages the legal community to share best practice and the Diversity League Table provides a helpful opportunity to gauge our progress.”

One Crown Office Row, with a Diversity Quotient score of 797, takes the overall top spot for participating Chambers.

Philip Havers QC, Head of Chambers at One Crown Office Row said: “We congratulate the Black Solicitors Network for its work on the Diversity League Table and are delighted with this year’s result. In all we do, we try to foster a culture that encourages and supports diversity and equality. We achieve this through our policies, our training and by the way we treat each other and those who come into contact with us. I welcome this recognition of what we do.”

Eversheds and Norton Rose share top position in the newly created Policy & Practice table followed by Herbert Smith.

The Chambers of Grahame Aldous QC (9 Gough Square) shares top position with Fountain Court in the Policy & Practice table for Chambers, followed by Outer Temple Chambers in third place.

Russell Jones & Walker come top of the overall demographic league table for firms, followed by newcomers O’Melveny & Myers and Capsticks. 

In the overall demographic league table for Chambers, newcomers 1 Pump Court are first, followed by Tooks Chambers in second place and 1 Garden Court Family Law Chambers in third.

As in 2009, nine of the City10 took part in the survey. Allen & Overy retained their position as the highest ranked City 10 firm, followed by Linklaters in second and Norton Rose in third place.

This year, eight of the largest 10 international firms based in the UK feature in the Diversity League Table, with O’Melveny & Myers taking the number one position, followed by Baker & McKenzie and Arnold & Porter in second and third place respectively.

The key changes to the report have helped to reaffirm the BSN Diversity League Table as a leading diversity publication, one which continues to receive support from across the profession and beyond.

In addition to the actual league tables and the diversity profiles of participating firms and Chambers, the 2010 publication also features exclusive interviews with the Attorney General, the Rt. Hon Dominic Grieve QC MP and Lynne Featherstone MP, Parliamentary under Secretary of State for Equalities.

Lynne Featherstone said “I am delighted to see so many firms and Chambers voluntarily getting involved with the Diversity League Table.  By taking such action voluntarily they’re setting a really positive example not just to the rest of the legal profession but to every other employer, and I’d encourage other organisations to follow their lead."

Nwabueze Nwokolo, chair of the Black Solicitors Network said, “The profession has always had to deal with difficult challenges; none more so than during the last few years of economic difficulty and uncertainty. It is therefore reassuring to see that in the area of equality and diversity, participants are working hard to improve their overall environment and attractiveness to people from diverse and non-traditional backgrounds.”

Mrs Nwokolo concludes, “We are always pleased to see so many leading firms and Chambers participate in the Diversity League Table; and they rightly deserve our thanks for their support, which demonstrates their clear and transparent commitment to equality of opportunities for all.”

The Diversity League Table 2010 is available in hardback format only, and can be purchased from the BSN’s website: www.blacksolicitorsnetwork.co.uk. Alternatively, please email   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to request a copy.

Work starts on the next Diversity League Table in spring 2011. Firms and Chambers interested in taking part should email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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For more information about the Diversity League Table, 2010, please contact Godwin Ohajah at the Satsuma Consultancy on 020 7366 6326 or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it