Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to creating a dynamic, diverse, inclusive workplace, where everyone is empowered to be the happiest, healthiest and best they can be regardless of gender, race, background, sexual orientation, disability, family situation, religious beliefs or any other factor.
Diversity at a glance
Diversity is an essential element of innovation. It fuels our energy and culture and brings resilience to our growth as a firm. We are working to create new practices and possibilities for people to show us their capability and bring their talent to Freeths.
Championing women
We recognise that our industry has traditionally been male dominated, and we do everything we can to change this at Freeths. We put in place policies that break down barriers to women’s career progression, offering generous incentives to ensure women access fair and equitable opportunities.
- Promotion targets to ensure gender and diversity equality.
- Generous family leave entitlements.
- Policy to support breastfeeding mothers.
- Extended flexible working policy.
- Support for women returning to work after a career break.
We report annually on our gender pay gap, and have a strategy in place to reduce, and eventually eliminate, it.
We have been named a Top 30 Working Families Benchmark Employer for 2025.
NEW women
Our women’s network NEW (Networking events for Women) has over 1,000 members inspiring and encouraging each other through regular networking and events that deal with all aspects of female leadership, life and business. Through the NEW network, we sponsor the Women of the Year Awards.
We are proud to have been key sponsor of the Women of the Year Awards for a number of years.
Balance network
We also host the Balance network, which provides a safe space where gender issues and experiences of any kind can be discussed. Balance was piloted in our Nottingham office, and will be rolled out company-wide in 2024.
A multicultural company
“As a person of colour, I feel included in the Freeths community and safe to be myself with my colleagues.” Pulse survey respondent 2023.
We are proud to be a multicultural firm – we employ talented people no matter their race, culture or identity. We stand against all forms of racism and discrimination.
We report annually on our ethnicity pay gap, going beyond statutory reporting requirements to voluntarily publish our data relating to equity partners and ethnicity pay.
Diverse talent welcome
We work closely with a range of organisations to promote opportunities within the legal profession and broaden our outreach to students from all backgrounds, particularly those from underrepresented groups and individuals who may face barriers to entering the profession due to their personal circumstances.
Our aim is to raise aspirations, help level the playing field, and provide support to talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds who may otherwise have limited exposure to legal careers and the opportunities available to them.
We are proud to partner with The Sutton Trust, engaging with its network of high-achieving students from lower socio-economic backgrounds. We are also annual hosts of the Birmingham Black Lawyers Student Conference and exhibit at the organisation’s Graduate Careers Fair, supported by members of the Freeths Rise Network.
Our longstanding partnership with Young Professionals enables us to connect with one of the UK’s largest student networks, helping us to promote our Future Talent opportunities to a diverse audience of aspiring professionals.
In addition, we have developed a dedicated Future Talent Hub, providing accessible information, insights, and resources to help students navigate their journey into the legal profession and better understand how to pursue a career with Freeths.
Through these initiatives and partnerships, we remain committed to creating a more inclusive profession and ensuring that talented individuals have the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background.
Birmingham Black Lawyers
We support Birmingham Black Lawyers, which aims to increase the proportion of black and ethnic minority students successfully entering and progressing within the profession, through activities including sponsorship and hosting work experience students.
“Freeths have partnered with us over a number of years, and we deeply appreciate the consistent support, dedication and enthusiasm they bring to our collaboration. Their unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusivity resonates seamlessly with our own values, fostering a natural and sincere relationship.” - Kishma Bolaji and Tamina Greaves, Co-Chairs, Birmingham Black Lawyers.
We were proud to sponsor a table at the Birmingham Black Lawyer Awards, where Legal Assistant Lasharna Barnett was nominated as a BBL Diversity Champion.
LGBTQ+
We are proud Stonewall Diversity Champions, supporting the organisation with advisory and policy support.
Our Shine network brings together members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies, creating an inclusive environment where all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer professionals can progress and develop. For example, as a result of our D&I Pledge, 53% of colleagues chose to include their pronouns on their email signature.
Our London and Nottingham offices hold annual pre-Pride breakfasts for the legal sector. In fact, our Nottingham office started the practice in the city, hosting colleagues from dozens of other firms over the course of many years.
In 2023 we set out our Trans and Non-Binary Policy, outlining responsibilities and respectful behaviour in the workplace, and ensuring the right support is in place for trans and non-binary colleagues.
Disability
To help increase understanding and awareness of non-visible conditions such as chronic pain, diabetes and autism, we take part in the Hidden Disability Sunflower initiative. Colleagues can choose to wear a sunflower lanyard to subtly share that they have a condition that requires extra support, understanding or time.
Our Disability Network is committed to bettering the everyday working lives of employees with disabilities and/or long-term conditions. That includes advising on processes and policies to make them fairer and more inclusive of people living with disabilities, and removing assumptions, barriers or challenges.
To ensure inclusivity in our recruitment processes, we’ve put in place an adjusted application process for students with disabilities, and worked with the Business Disability Forum to ensure our Future Talent Hub is accessible and attractive to disabled students.
In the past year, we are pleased to have partnered with The Law Society’s Disabled Solicitors’ Network on Project Rise, which supports people with disabilities by offering part-time training contracts.
Our accreditations and partnerships
We are celebrating another year of accreditations, rankings and partnerships
Contact us today
Whatever your legal needs, our wide ranging expertise is here to support you and your business, so let’s start your legal journey today and get you in touch with the right lawyer to get you started.
Get in touch
For general enquiries, please complete this form and we will direct your message to the most appropriate person.