Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We recognise and value that each staff member is unique and brings a different perspective to the firm. We understand that diversity brings a wealth of perspectives and insights, which ultimately leads to better decision-making and problem-solving. This enriches our work environment, strengthens our teams and allows us to provide the best possible service to our clients.
We know that attracting and retaining the best people is vital to achieving our goals as a firm. We all have a role to play in creating a culture of diversity and inclusion within our community, both internally and externally.
We strive to:
- Acknowledge and respect diversity and inclusion within the firm
- Welcome and respect individual views and experiences for the benefit of colleagues and clients
- Recognise and formalise our existing culture of openness and inclusivity
We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels valued, respected, and included.
Our Diversity Committee, currently chaired by partner Gerard Kelly, has been running since 2017 and works to celebrate diversity and promote and develop targeted diversity initiatives, with a focus on themes such as inclusion and social mobility.
Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Focus Areas are:
Key Initiatives
- Our Diversity Committee regularly holds “Diversity Matters” sessions, where we invite external speakers to participate and share their perspectives. Previous speakers have included Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD (parenting and work) and Ivana Bacik TD (International Women’s Day), Rebecca Tallon De Havilland (HIV Awareness campaigner and Project Bootcamp Founder), Liam Redmond (Co-Founder of Certified Proud) and Lindsay Peat (Women’s Rugby Union International and gay rights advocate).
- We are a Council Member of the disAbility Legal Network which promotes awareness and inclusion of disability in the legal profession.
- Our Diversity Committee organises unconscious bias training for staff who are involved in the interview process for the recruitment of staff. These training sessions are presented by Dr Melrona Kirrane, Associate Professor of Organisational Psychology, DCU Business School. This helps to embed DE&I into our recruitment processes, spreads awareness and reinstates our core values amongst staff at all levels that every race, religion, ethnicity, experience, and culture is appreciated and respected.
- We are one of the founding members of OUTLaw which was launched in January 2019 by the Chief Justice, Mr Justice Frank Clarke. OUTLaw's mission is to promote and drive the inclusion of LGBT+ people across the Irish legal community.
- We are a Council Member of the Irish arm of the 30% Club, which was established to develop a diverse pool of talent for all businesses with a mission to reach at least 30% representation of women on all boards and C-suites globally.
- We have been conducting and publishing an annual Gender and Diversity Survey in the Aviation Industry in Ireland since 2015, focusing on issues such as gender, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation in the aviation industry.
- We have been conducting and publishing an annual In-House Counsel & Gender Parity Survey since 2018.
Gender Pay Gap Report
We are pleased to publish our Gender Pay Gap Reports which include a number of actions the firm has taken or has committed to taking to drive gender equality across the firm.
Awards & Recognition
- We were named by Accenture as winner of its first-ever 2021 Outside Counsel Diversity Awards, alongside three other international law firms. The award honoured Accenture’s legal service providers for their exceptional efforts in 2020 to create a culture of equality in their workplaces and communities.
- Recently, we received top honours at the Chambers Ireland Sustainable Business Impact Awards 2022 in the 'Diversity & Inclusion - Multinational Company' category for The Engage & Education Fund.
