Walker Morris break down the barriers to law at the House of Commons

The event marks the launch of the Breaking Down Barriers to Law: Phase 1 report. This collaborative project by The Purpose Coalition, brings together key players in the legal sector to address social mobility challenges faced by individuals from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds.

During a series of roundtable workshops, they delved into the challenges faced by law firms across the 4 focus areas, outreach, access, recruitment, and progression. The discussions centred around various strategies implemented to address these challenges. Best practices from around the country, include:

• Outreach activities to primary and secondary schools, as well as to those who may have been out of the workplace for some time.
• Work experience and open days provide valuable insights into legal practice, providing information and knowledge about the range of opportunities that law firms can offer, including apprenticeships and non-traditional career paths.
• The adoption of name blind recruitment and contextual recruitment practices to encourage a more level playing field in recruitment practices.
• Career development programmes, inclusion schemes, and mentorships to support those from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds to stay in the sector and thrive.

Tracy Foley (Head of People & Culture), commented: “We’re proud to be part of the Breaking Down Barriers to Law project. Here at Walker Morris, we want to make the field more accessible and diverse so we can bring talented people from all backgrounds into the legal profession.”

Jessica Harvey (Diversity & Inclusion Manager), added: “Our goal is to break down barriers and ensure equal opportunities for all team members. By engaging with communities, we can bring talented people from diverse backgrounds into law.”

Rt Hon Justine Greening said: “I am incredibly proud of the work that this Breaking Down Barriers to Law Taskforce has undertaken. By pooling their resources, sharing insights and demonstrating sector-leading best practice, the participating firms have demonstrated real commitment to delivering social impact in the areas they serve. The frank discussions on the challenges facing the legal sector as they seek to address the issue of poor social mobility were wide-ranging and constructive, and have helped inform the recommendations for future action in the report, which are demanding but achievable. The project has shown how collaboration and partnership can make a significant impact on the development of positive solutions.

“The legal sector has long been seen as a closed shop for many who might aspire to work in it. There has been undoubted progress – and the best practice featured in the report shows the difference that tailored action can make – but there is still much more to do.  It’s clear that there is an appetite for change, and it is increasingly the case that those who demonstrate the most effective social impact in the legal sector, and in the wider business world will attract the largest talent pool. I am looking forward to continuing to work with the Taskforce as they implement the recommendations and as we move on to the next phases of our work.”

Walker Morris continues to foster a more inclusive workplace. The firm’s recent implementation of RARE, a contextual recruitment system, demonstrates its commitment to social mobility and diversity.

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