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The winners of UK Diversity Legal Awards were announced at the launch of the 2011, Law Society sponsored, BSN Diversity League Table. This packed event was held last night in London, and was hosted by leading City firm, Linklaters.

Over 160 people filled the large auditorium and listened to a keynote speech delivered by the Solicitor General, Edward Garnier QC MP. This was preceded by a lively Diversity Panel Discussion involving; Michael Webster (DLT Editor) Professor Peter Urwin (DLT’s Head Researcher) and Vanessa Havard-Williams, (Partner and co-chair of the Gender Network at Linklaters). The discussion, and the evening, was hosted by BBC News Education Correspondent, Reeta Chakrabarti.

Mr Garnier said in his speech, "These awards, and the fact that you have been a winner or recognised in some other way, are of course welcome in themselves, but they also say something positive about you as people, as employers, as providers of legal services and about the legal profession in this country.”

On the importance of investing in diversity, Mr Garnier said, “ For the enlightened and international law firms such as those represented here tonight, investment in diversity isn’t only proper, it’s canny.”  

He added, “A good lawyer is a good lawyer, but a good lawyer who understands the client, the client’s country and how best to relate the services of a UK law firm to the market in question is more than an asset.”

Sidley Austin, picked up the award for “Recruitment: Attracting Talent” and 25 Bedford Row received the award for “Retention: Talent Management”, which was sponsored by DMJ Legal Recruitment. The award for “Diversity Champion 2011” was presented to “two outstanding candidates” as the judges were unable to separate two finalists; Rita Tappia, from Shoosmths and Paulette Mastin from Linklaters were both presented with an award for their outstanding work.  

The awards for “DLT Firm of the Year 2011” and “DLT Chambers of the Year 2011” are presented to the firm and Chambers that rank 1^st in the Overall Diversity League Table. These awards went to Shoosmiths and Hardwicke Chambers respectively.

Claire Rowe, Chief Executive of Shoosmiths said, "As a national firm, we want our workforce to reflect the communities in which we operate. Taking a pro-active approach to equality and diversity is important if we are to attract and retain the talent we need.  We are very proud to be top of the BSN Diversity League Table, which reflects our programme of diversity initiatives which are integrated into the way we work.”

A statement from the joint Heads of Chambers at Hardwicke Chambers, Nigel Jones QC and Paul Reed QC, read;“Hardwicke has always aimed to promote the talents of the widest possible mix of members, pupils and staff, and strives for equality of access, retention and promotion.  We are all delighted that our achievements have been recognised in this year’s Diversity League Table.  We will continue to build on this success”.

The evening also saw the launch of the 6^th BSN Diversity League Table (DLT) publication, which has received widespread support from across the profession and Government. A total of 64 firms and Chambers took part in this year’s survey.

DLT Editor and BSN board member, Michael Webster said, “ We are pleased that diversity has remained a priority for a significant number of the leading firms and Chambers in the UK, and this is further evidenced by the continuing levels of support across the profession and beyond. Social Mobility is featured significantly within the editorial this year and it is important that alternative routes to the profession continue to be explored and supported.”

Nick Clegg MP, the Deputy Prime Minister said, “ The Coalition Government has made it clear that the overriding purpose of social policy must be to create greater fairness, opening up opportunities across our society.”

The Diversity League Table is produced by the Black Solicitors Network (BSN) and looks across four diversity strands of disability, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation. The publication presents 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. For the first time a 5-year trend analysis of participating firms was published in the DLT.

Over the 5 years, the representation of women solicitors improves across all levels of practice. The same applies to ethnic minority (EM) solicitors, but the increase is more marked at the trainee level, increasing from 11% to 16%

Looking at the “City 10” firms, EM representation has also increased across all levels. Again the biggest increase is at the trainee level (10-18%), but it should be noted the proportion of EM partners appears to double, from 3% to 6%. Female representation amongst participating City 10 firms dips slightly at both Partner and Trainee levels, with a marginal increase at the Associate level. But it is noted that at the Trainee and Associate level, the percentage is just over 50%, whilst at Partner level it is 18%.

Michael Webster said, “ The increases in EM lawyers at all levels are to be applauded, but we are still yet to see that translated to comparable proportions at Associates and Partner level.”

Linklaters take top position in the Policy & Practice table followed by Hogan Lovells, Norton Rose, Shoosmiths and Simmons & Simmons who all share second place.

Fountain Court Chambers take the top position in the Policy & Practice table for Chambers, followed by Matrix Chambers in second place and 39 Essex Street Chambers in third place.

O’Melveny & Myers come top of the overall demographic league table for firms, followed by Russell Jones & Walker with Flint Bishop in third place. 

In the overall demographic league table for Chambers, 25 Bedford Row share top spot with Hardwicke Chambers with Matrix Chambers in third place.

Looking at the City 10, Linklaters take top spot, followed by Norton Rose in second place, with Allen & Overy third.

For the international firms based in the UK, O’Melveny & Myers retain their number one position, followed by Paul Hastings in second place and then Baker & McKenzie in third.

Justin Kopelowitz, Director of award sponsor, DMJ Legal, said, We would like to congratulate the BSN on a great event last night. We all really enjoyed ourselves and thought it was extremely well organised and well received.” He adds, “We are committed to diversity and helping to support our clients’ commitment to fair and transparent recruitment best-practice and so we are proud to be a sponsor of the 2011 UK Diversity Legal Awards.”

Nwabueze Nwokolo, Chair of the Black Solicitors Network said, “ It was an excellent evening and a number of important issues were raised in the panel discussion, which I hope will be picked up by those with influence over the coming months and years. Change is always difficult, and more so in a conservative profession such as ours. It can only come from within, and that is why the BSN will continue to engage with all stakeholders for the benefit of our able membership.”

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 2011 is available in print format and can be purchased from the Law Society bookshop, priced £75.00. 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 2012. 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, please contact the Project Manager & Publisher, Godwin Ohajah at Satsuma on 0845 057 0515 or by email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

NOTES TO EDITOR:

- The Diversity League Table is a Black Solicitors Network publication; the 2011 edition was sponsored by the Law Society and supported by the Bar Council, the Legal Services Board (LSB), the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC).

- Black Solicitors Network (BSN) is a Law Society Group and a not-for-profit organisation. Formally recognised by the Law Society in 2003, the BSN has been supporting and promoting the development of minority lawyers in the UK since 1995.

- Participation in the Diversity League Table is voluntary.

- A total of 180 firms were invited to take part in 2011; made up of the UK Top150 and 30 leading international firms. Approximately 180 chambers were invited to take part in the 2011 survey.

- The Diversity League Table is project managed and published by Satsuma on behalf of the Black Solicitors Network.

- For general information on the Diversity League Table please contact Satsuma on 0845 057 0515  or by email on: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it