Clifford Chance sets first-ever LGBT+ and ethnicity targets
Clifford Chance has set ambitious global and regional targets to promote inclusion, diversity and equality across its offices.
The firm has introduced its first-ever LGBT global partner-level target, aiming to reach 3% by 2025, while new ethnic minority targets have been set for the US and UK regions to include 15% of new partners, up from 5.7% and 7.4% respectively.
According to the targets, the firm aims to have at least 40% female partners in the firm worldwide by 2030, while, in the UK, the firm has a goal of increasing female partners from 25.5% to 30% by 2025 and by a further 60% by 2030.
In the Americas and Continental Europe, the firm wants to increase female partners by 35% by 2025, while the ME region has a separate target of 12.5% female partners by 2025 and 25% by 2030.
Gender targets of at least 40% female will be extended at all levels throughout the firm's structures at a global and regional level by 2025.
The move follows the announcement made last week by international law firm Baker McKenzie of its commitment to a global task force to combat racism and build greater inclusion and equality both within the firm and throughout the legal sector.
Tiernan Brady, global director of inclusion at Clifford Chance, said: “There is nothing inevitable about inclusion. There is no hidden arc of progress that will make it happen automatically. If we want to build an inclusive firm and society, we have to work hard and campaign for it, set goals and when we achieve them, defend and champion them.
“Behind the targets announced today is a tailored set of initiatives that represents a comprehensive strategy to deliver greater inclusion. The top of our firm needs to look like the rest of the firm and the societies we are based in. It is both a core value and an economic imperative, and it is the future for the legal sector.”
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