DLA Piper ranks 12th in Social Mobility Index of UK employers

DLA Piper has maintained its 12th place ranking in the Social Mobility Foundation’s annual Social Mobility Employer Index. The Index ranks UK employers on their work to improve social mobility in the workplace across seven key areas. The Index is the leading authority on employer-led social mobility, and this year reviewed data from 143 employers.

The firm was commended by the Social Mobility Foundation for being one of few organisations exploring the intersectionality between class and other characteristics like ethnic and gender inequality, and the compounding effects. DLA Piper scored in the top 10% of all submissions in the advocacy and recruitment and selection categories of the index.

DLA Piper has progressed its commitment to social mobility over the last year. It has expanded its Head Start program to 98 participants – talented young people who are interested in a legal services career, but face barriers due to social, economic or cultural reasons. It has also introduced a new project management apprenticeship, and grown its solicitor apprenticeship program to 19 solicitor apprentices across London, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds.

Sandra Wallace CBE, Joint Managing Director, UK and Europe, said: “To be ranked 12th is a huge achievement for DLA Piper and demonstrates our commitment to making the firm, and the legal sector, an inclusive and welcoming place to work, no matter your background. With the launch of our new social mobility people network Horizons, and the growth of our apprenticeships, we have another exciting year ahead.”

Lorraine Reader, partner at DLA Piper, added: “Creating a diverse workforce and an environment where talented individuals can get in, and get on, is at the heart of our diversity, equity and inclusion strategy. We have clear next steps for realising our social mobility strategy, and we’re committed to continuing that work.”

*Sandra and Lorraine are the co-executive partner sponsors of Horizons, DLA Piper’s social mobility network