UK law firm Browne Jacobson has been ranked as the UK’s leading employer in the Social Mobility Employer Index 2021, the leading authority on social mobility workplace best practice in the UK.
The Index is created by the Social Mobility Foundation and identifies those employers that have taken the most action to improve social mobility in the workplace. This year 203 employers were considered for the Top 75 rankings.
This is the first time that any law firm has topped the rankings in the history of the Index.
Caroline Green, Senior Partner at Browne Jacobson, who leads on diversity, inclusion and well-being at the firm, said:
“I am unbelievably proud of all our people whose passion and determination to advance social mobility in the legal profession has resulted in our first place ranking in the Index. This means a great deal to us all.
“Employers large and small have a huge role in creating a fairer society and delivering the levelling up agenda. The last 18 months has been difficult for so many young people and we are delighted that the steps we have taken and our ground-breaking FAIRE initiative, in particular, have opened up the legal profession to some of those most disadvantaged by the pandemic; we have been able to demonstrate just how much can be achieved if the will and determination is there.
“For us, the journey does not stop here. There is always more we can do and our commitment to improving social mobility within our firm, the wider legal profession and amongst the communities and clients we serve is stronger than ever.”
Browne Jacobson has established a national reputation for its commitment to promoting greater diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and recently won a number of major awards for its ground breaking diversity and inclusion programme including accolades at the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Awards, UK Social Mobility Awards, The Lawyer Awards and British Legal Awards.
Since 2016, the firm has implemented a series of ground-breaking initiatives including revolutionising its trainee recruitment processes by removing academic barriers, anonymising applications and focusing its outreach work on social mobility ‘cold spots’.
In 2021, the firm launched FAIRE (Fairer Access into Real Experience) – a unique programme offering work experience opportunities to candidates specifically from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Under its FAIRE initiative, it staged two of the UKs largest ever virtual legal careers events with over 11,000 young people taking part in total.
Rt Hon. Alan Milburn, Chair of the Social Mobility Foundation, said: “The pandemic has exposed the new geography of disadvantage in Britain and, through disruption in the classroom, exam hall and workplace, created serious barriers to young people’s opportunities. If older people have been on the health frontline of the pandemic it is the young who seem doomed to suffer the biggest economic and social consequences.
“Employer-led social mobility will be vital in bridging the divide and delivering the levelling up agenda. All of the employers represented in the Index are showing that it is possible to create a society where it is not background or birth but aptitude and ability that dictate progress in life. They are providing it is possible to build back better. If we are to rescue the fraying promise of a meritocratic society, then more employers must join them, and government must follow suit in taking targeted action to address social mobility”.
Sarah Atkinson, CEO of the Social Mobility Foundation, added: “Congratulations to all the businesses who submitted this year – especially the 38 firms who have participated in all five years of the Index. It is encouraging that the extremely challenging circumstances of the pandemic has not deterred these firms from prioritising social mobility. It is right that they have done so. Government cannot go it alone when levelling up; indeed, the Index shows businesses and organisations are leading the way instead. Opportunity creation for the next generation, especially those from less well-off backgrounds, must be prioritised in the years ahead. As ever, we stand ready to support employers of all sizes in their social mobility journey.”
You may be interested in...
Press Release - Firm news
Three newly-qualified solicitors join Browne Jacobson’s education team
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson announces Nick MacKenzie to succeed Mark Blois as head of Browne Jacobson’s education team
Opinion - Future Lawyer blog
A week in the life as a Pupil Barrister at Browne Jacobson
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson announces new firmwide Head of Employment
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson scoops two accolades at The Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Awards
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson launches free job simulator to give aspiring barristers a taste of life in legal profession
Opinion - Future Lawyer blog
A week in the life of a solicitor apprentice at Browne Jacobson
Opinion - Future Lawyer blog
Solicitor apprenticeship: Dispelling the myths
Opinion - Future Lawyer blog
Tips on applying for a solicitor apprenticeship
Opinion - Future Lawyer blog
Advice for those considering a legal apprenticeship
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson launches new pro bono strategy in partnership with LawWorks
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson appoints new Dublin Corporate Partner amidst firm growth in the Irish market
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson bolsters presence in Wales with three new appointments
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson wins Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award for Small Employers at the Personnel Today Awards 2023
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson recognised in O Shaped’s inaugural O List showcasing legal profession trailblazers
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson win Social Mobility Initiative of the Year at the European Diversity Awards 2023
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson launches dedicated team to advance Socioeconomic Diversity
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson ranked as leading specialists across an impressive 38 practice areas in Chambers & Partners UK guide
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson wins Equality and Diversity Award at the National BCC Business Awards
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson hits the top tier across 27 practice areas for the first time in Legal 500 UK guide
Published Article - Firm news
O with the flow
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson solicitor becomes first in private practice to be awarded Plain Numbers accreditation
Press Release - Firm news
Dublin firm Browne Jacobson strengthens growing TMT practice with promotion of dispute resolution specialist
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson cements its offering in the Welsh market with launch of its seventh office, in Cardiff
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson relocates Exeter office to prime city location to accommodate further growth
Press Release - Firm news
Record financial results for Browne Jacobson as turnover hits £105m
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson becomes first law firm to partner with Plain Numbers to improve understanding of numbers
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson wins brace of legal industry awards for social mobility programme
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson first law firm to join Ladder for Greater Birmingham campaign
Published Article - Firm news
Neurodiversity in law firms: Thinking outside the box
Opinion - Future Lawyer blog
Hints and tips to help you apply for a Solicitor Apprenticeship
Opinion - Future Lawyer blog
A day in the life of our Solicitor Apprentice Laura Morland
Opinion - Future Lawyer blog
Why consider an apprenticeship over going to university?
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson health lawyer wins major accolade at Made in Manchester Awards
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson maintains top spot in Social Mobility Employer Index 2022
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson appointed to first Social Mobility Commission Employer Advisory Group
Press Release - Firm news
Law firm wins Franco-British Business Award for Diversity and Inclusion
UK and Ireland law firm Browne Jacobson has won the Diversity and Inclusion Award at the 23rd Franco-British Business Awards 2022.
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson partners with Forage to launch virtual work experience to improve diversity and inclusion in legal sector
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson barrister wins Manchester Young Talent Award
Holly Quirk, an associate barrister in Browne Jacobson’s Manchester office, was awarded the Legal Professional of the Year Award at this year’s Manchester Young Talent Awards.