Our internal diversity networks
These are our internal networks and groups we have established, click to view more information.
Diversity at Macfarlanes:
We are committed to fostering an inclusive culture throughout the firm, from entry level to partnership. It is about recruiting, retaining and promoting all groups in the firm fairly, and we have invested in our processes to ensure that everyone has the same chance to develop and advance. An inclusive, forward-thinking culture also enables us to provide innovative solutions to our clients.
Undoubtedly, Macfarlanes recognises the importance of its lawyers being able to show up to work as their authentic selves – and so it pours resources to make sure that the firm-wide culture is one that celebrates and accommodates the unparralleled lived experiences of others. Staff networks, reverse mentoring programmes, a change in recruitment practices, and industry initiatives are just a few examples of how this effort has manifested. Ultimately, diversity, equality and inclusion is always a consideration.
External Diversity Initiatives:
- Aspiring Solicitors
- Legal CORE (Collaboration on Race and Ethnicity)
- Rare Recruitment and Rare Contextual Recruitment System
- Race Fairness Commitment
- upReach
- Business Disability Forum
- PRIME
- Social Mobility Index
- Stonewall
- Vantage
- Women in the City Afro-Caribbean Network (WCAN)
- Investing in Ethnicity
- Neurodiversity Smart: Committed Accreditation
- City Solicitors Horizon
- Interlaw Diversity Forum
- OpenWealth
- Bright Network
Awards & Recognition:
- targetjobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2023 – Best social mobility strategy
- Top 25 highest scoring organisation for the 2023 Investing in Ethnicity Maturity
- MatrixTop 10 in the Network Group Category at the British LGBT Awards 2023
- Best for Mothers award at the Working Families Best Practice Awards – 2022
Why choose Macfarlanes?
We understand the importance of a stimulating and inclusive workplace and offer multiple pathways to rewarding careers. We are committed to developing and investing in our people and offer our associates the following:
- Quality of clients and work: We advise some of the world’s most successful and ambitious businesses and business leaders across the full range of corporate and commercial matters and also on their private affairs. This brings an enviable range and quality of work for associates to get involved in.
- Early responsibility: The size of our firm means that our teams are kept lean and agile. This necessitates early responsibility, creating a rich environment for professional development and direct contact with our partners, enabling trainees to learn from some of the finest legal minds. Associates are also encouraged to participate in business development throughout their careers, building relationships with clients from the start and developing their own business opportunities.
- International opportunities: Most of our work has an international dimension, for example over 70% of our corporate work is multi-jurisdictional. Last year around 15% of our lawyers were seconded to clients or law firms around the world including New York, Qatar, Geneva and the Cayman Islands.
- Excellent training: Our people are the key to our success. We offer a comprehensive education and training programme, which covers both technical and skills topics. We provide a supportive environment with a strong emphasis on mentoring across all levels at the firm.
- Exceptional people: Our associates are of the absolute highest technical ability, many of whom are leaders in their chosen fields. There is no “Macfarlanes” type. Individual personalities and flair are welcomed and encouraged.
- Culture: Our culture underpins everything that we do. It is distinctive and an asset prized by us all. At the heart of our culture is the pursuit of excellence through the drive and commitment of first-class associates and the delivery of excellent client service. We value openness, fairness, independence of spirit and we treat everyone at the firm with respect. We believe that a diverse and inclusive environment is vital for conducting business and are actively seeking to enhance this within our firm through a number of initiatives.
