Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Blake Morgan, our aim is to make a difference for our clients, our people and our communities. We work to ensure that we recognise, support and promote the wide-ranging talents we have within our business, through ensuring that our environment is one that listens, and one where everyone can reach their fullest potential. Our job is to remove barriers to success, and create a platform that enables our people and their talents to drive forward the success of our firm.

That’s why we pledge to:

Contribute to a working environment that is without discrimination, accessible, comfortable, healthy, well maintained, welcoming, and free of harassment, victimisation and bullying.

Demonstrate and share a commitment to valuing equality and diversity, and develop attitudes and behaviours that support this.

Challenge what is considered to be unacceptable behaviour, be pro-active with regard to diversity, and take personal responsibility to promote good practice and create change.

Identify individual and firm-wide learning and development needs on equality, diversity and inclusion issues continuously, and undertake relevant training to maintain and improve knowledge and contribute to the learning and development of others.

Consider what may be offensive to others.

Recognise that it is unacceptable to withhold information and knowledge necessary to allow others to undertake their duties.

The Inclusive Top 50 Employers is a definitive list of organisations who evidence their commitment to inclusion in areas such as recruitment, learning and development, and community activities across all protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010. In the 2023/24 list, we were ranked 32nd, in the Top 50 for the seventh consecutive year.

PRIME was established by the legal profession as a commitment to providing fair access to quality work experience. We are a founding member of PRIME and one of many firms who continue to offer annual work placements for students from low-income families. We run an annual PRIME programme offering one week’s work experience with the firm.

Aspiring Solicitors is the leading legal diversity platform in the UK. The organisation identifies, encourages and develops outstanding diverse talent and works with Blake Morgan on vacation schemes and training contracts. This is achieved through a combination of mentoring and coaching services, diversity specific events, placements and competitions. Aspiring Solicitors assists members who are (i) Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and/or (ii) socially mobile and/or (iii) LGBT+ and/or (iv) disabled or who have long term health conditions.

Founded by former UK Cabinet Minister, Rt Hon. Justine Greening, and UK entrepreneur David Harrison, the Social Mobility Pledge represents a powerful and pioneering shift towards being a truly purpose-led organisation committed to social mobility. The Social Mobility Pledge is a coalition of 450 businesses globally employing over 5 million people, as well as more than 50 universities representing almost 2 million students. It encourages organisations to being a force for good by putting social mobility at the heart of their purpose.

Business in the Community (BITC) in partnership with the Government have set up the Race at Work Charter. This is an initiative designed to improve outcomes for black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) employees in the UK.
On Friday 10 July 2020, Blake Morgan signed the Race at Work Charter and continue to be signatories.
The aim of BITC is to inspire, engage and challenge members. The BITC mobilise that collective strength as a force for good in society to:
• Create a skilled, inclusive workforce today and for the future.
• Build thriving communities in which to live and work.
• Innovate to repair and sustain our planet.

Over the Bloody Moon is a specialist menopause consultancy, who will provide training to Blake Morgan Menopause Mentors via a CPD-accredited programme. The mentors will be on hand to provide advice, support or a confidential conversation to help support colleagues going through the menopause.

Ethical Reading is a not-for-profit social enterprise dedicated to making Reading a better place to live and work through helping organisations become more ethical. Signing up to the Reading Ethical Recruitment Charter commits Blake Morgan to the ethical treatment of candidates. We are delighted and proud to be part of this initiative with the aim to foster respect, responsibility and compassion at all levels and promote ethical values.

Blake Morgan has signed the Wellbeing of Women’s Menopause Workplace Pledge. Wellbeing of Women is a women’s health charity committed to saving and changing the lives of women, girls and babies, through research, education and advocacy.
By signing the pledge, we have committed to:
• Recognising that the menopause can be an issue in the workplace and that colleagues need support.
• Talking openly, positively and respectfully about the menopause.
• Actively supporting and informing colleagues affected by the menopause.

Blake Morgan is partnering GROW Mentoring, which is a registered charity with diversity, inclusion and social mobility at its core. GROW Mentoring works with aspiring lawyers through one-to-one mentoring and pairs aspiring lawyers and legal professionals with similar backgrounds or interests, allowing mentees to feel represented in the profession.

Access to Work is a publicly funded employment support grant scheme that aims to support you financially with communication support at a job interview. The money pays for a communication support worker to go to your job interview with you. You can use this service if you:
• are Deaf or hard of hearing and need a British Sign Language interpreter or lip speaker; or
• have a physical or mental health condition or learning difficulty and need communication support.
Check out the applicant guide for information about the Access to Work scheme and for guidance on how to apply.

Women in Law Pledge

We are proud signatories to the Women in Law Pledge created by The Law Society, the Bar Council of England and Wales and the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx). Our organisation is committed to the progress of gender equality, elimination of gender discrimination and pledge to make positive change for the legal profession.

EDI Insights

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The Growing Ambitions scheme offered by Blake Morgan gives teenage social housing tenants nominated by local housing associations the chance to gain hands-on experience of what it's like to work... Read More

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Closing or narrowing the 'authority gap' could help you and your organisation succeed. Studies have shown that it would certainly help women and men be happier and healthier, which can... Read More

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By Stacey Alexander - future Blake Morgan Trainee Solicitor I have just secured a training contract with Blake Morgan LLP at the time of writing, to begin in September 2021.... Read More

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Highlights from the last year of the activities we have done to support our communities.

Blake Morgan Chair end of year report cover.

Highlights from the last year of the activities we have done to support our communities.

We believe that we all have a part to play in maintaining the inclusive and supportive culture that we are known for and which will ultimately help us all to be successful. We encourage participation in our firm-wide EDI activities and our network groups.

Gender Pay Gap Reporting 2023

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Diversity Survey Results 2024

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EDI News

Blake Morgan’s Growing Ambitions Scheme proved a big success in 2024, helping students to flourish and gain work experience.

Blake Morgan collaborated with GROW Mentoring to host aspiring lawyers at our London office last month for a day of exclusive insights, interactive sessions and networking.

Blake Morgan is a For Cardiff, Equality City Business, showcasing the culture of the leading law firm.

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Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Women in Law Pledge

EDI Insights

Growing Ambitions 2023

Challenging the ‘authority gap’

Securing my solicitor training contract

Chair End of Year Report 2023/24

Chair End of Year Report 2022/23

Gender Pay Gap Reporting 2023

Diversity Survey Results 2024

EDI News

Growing Ambitions flourishing at Blake Morgan

Blake Morgan x GROW Mentoring Insight Day a success

Blake Morgan is an Equality City business