The firms have signed up to combat the career obstacles faced by Black, Asian and minority ethnic lawyers. What effect do you think this will have? Is this enough to tackle the current issues?
Useful resource to read: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/pinsent-masons_slaughters-freshfields-commit-to-exit-interviews-activity-6685880950754160640-Orwp
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As with any movement or pledge tailored in favour of racial equality, I like to say that it is positive start. It might be a bit early to say whether or not this will end up tackling racial issues in the long run but at least moves are being made to combat it.
I just hope a difference is made and that all are treated equally within the legal profession, no matter their race or gender.
Sadly, like many profession, the legal profession still does not provide a perfect environment for BAME individuals and females. The SRA's new report on diversity within law firms demonstrates the great new for schemes and initiatives like the above.
According to SRA 49% of females have entered the legal profession (caveat being this number drastically reducing as the seniority of the roles increase (partner level)) and a shocking number of only 21% of BAME and 3% of disabled individuals have entered the legal profession in 2019. These numbers portrays the need for urgent reform and is interesting to see that diversity (one which law firms always promote) is still so low.
It is not doubt that reform is required and in my opinion has been due a very long time ago but hopefully these initiatives will change this and soon we will see the figures balance out and firms being diverse like as they should be.
How quickly and whether this will happen is still uncertain and we have to wait to see it. Below is the link to the SRA report for those who are interested.
https://www.sra.org.uk/sra/equality-diversity/key-findings/diverse-legal-profession/