Law Firm Shows Support For The LGBT+ Community

National law firm Irwin Mitchell is celebrating the 10^th anniversary of its networking group supporting the LGBT+ community by attending Pride events across the country this summer.

Irwin Mitchell, has a longstanding history of supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Transgender (LGBT+) colleagues and clients. In 2009 the firm established IM Equal, an internal networking group to help support Irwin Mitchell’s LGBT+ colleagues as well as becoming a one of charity Stonewall’s Diversity Champions.

In the 10 years since IM Equal was launched Irwin Mitchell has consistently featured in the Top 150 of Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index, which ranks businesses on their LGBT+ diversity and inclusion measures.

More recently the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Kate Rawlings was recognised as Ally of the Year in the West Midlands at the charity’s regional awards, for her work which included launching an allies initiative which 1000 colleagues have taken part in.

Other work the networking group has supported includes introducing a policy to protect, attract and retain transgender colleagues, hosting LGBT+ networking events for the wider business community and regularly welcoming prominent LGBT+ speakers into its offices.

Irwin Mitchell also supports clients on issues specific to the LGBT+ community and has also helped influence law reform around same sex marriage and civil partnerships.

To celebrate their efforts in the drive for greater equality over the last decade colleagues from around the firm offices will be gathering at seven Pride events across the UK. Colleagues have already celebrated at Durham and Birmingham Pride events; while employees of the firm are attending Cambridge Pride on Saturday 8 June. The Bristol office will be sponsoring and officially be attending Bristol Pride on Saturday 13 July and will have a stand at the event on the day. Newcastle Pride follows on Saturday 20 July; while colleagues from the Leeds office are set to march with the Law Society in London Pride, on Saturday 6 July.

While colleagues will be joining in the fun, Irwin Mitchell has created a special rainbow flag version of the firm’s logo, which will be uploaded to the main Twitter account to mark each Pride event attended. Colleagues and friends are also being invited to get involved and send messages of support on social media to those at Pride events, tagging @irwinmitchell and using the hashtag, #IMAtPride. 

Expert Opinion

“As a firm, we are delighted to be supporting Pride season once again. It’s a great way to get out and about in our communities to stand up for equality and celebrate the progress we have made over the years. The legal industry has come a long way in terms of acceptance and equality over the last 30 years and we are proud to have been at the forefront of such efforts.” Luke Daniels - Partner