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Bircham Dyson Bell (BDB) LLP and Pitmans LLP merged on 1 December 2018 to become BDB Pitmans LLP. More details can be found here

Diversity and Inclusion

Committed to making a difference.

At BDB Pitmans we are committed to providing outstanding client service by maintaining the highest standards of professional excellence. Creating an environment for all members of staff which is not only free from any form of discrimination, harassment or bullying, but celebrates and values diversity, is key to meeting this objective.

To do this we are working hard to create an inclusive working environment within which all individuals, regardless of their personal circumstances, are treated with respect, fairness and courtesy and have the opportunity to give their best and be appropriately recognised, rewarded and developed for their contribution.

Penny Chapman, leading partner on our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Group

Penny Chapman

‘In 2008 we started our diversity and inclusion journey by forming our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Group. I am proud to have been a part of this group from the start and even prouder of the work we have achieved since then. In this time some of my highlights have included; becoming one of the top 20 law firms in the Stonewall WEI index in 2014, being a founding member of LeGal BesT, seeing the increasing engagement in the numerous lunch and learn seminars we have held, launching an annual Diversity Week programme, forming our Diversity Champions group and meeting members of Aspiring Solicitors.

While we have already achieved a lot we recognise that there is still a great deal to do. As such we will continue to strive to ensure we are an inclusive place to work, where everyone can be themselves. We will continue to learn more about the differences that we all have and that bring strengths to our firm.’

Andrew Smith

‘Diversity and inclusion isn’t just a tick box exercise at BDB Pitmans, we really are trying to build an inclusive firm where everyone’s differences are embraced and valued. I’m proud to be a member of the Strategy Group and ensure that diversity and inclusion at BDB Pitmans is given the priority and support it deserves.’

Andrew Smith, Managing Partner and member of the Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Group

Our diversity and inclusion initiatives

  • DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STRATEGY GROUP

    BDB Pitmans Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Group was established in 2008 to review all aspects of diversity and inclusion within the firm. The Strategy Group meets on a quarterly basis and is responsible for identifying and setting the agenda and establishing the business case for all diversity and inclusion related activities. They also review and analyse diversity and inclusion initiatives, policies, procedures and practices. The Strategy Group welcomes ideas for new initiatives from across the firm.

  • DIVERSITY CHAMPIONS

    DIVERSITY CHAMPIONS

    Our Diversity Champions are volunteers representing all areas of BDB Pitmans, from Partners to Paralegals and members of our support teams. Alongside the Strategy Group, the Diversity Champions drive forward the work we do across all diversity strands. They provide feedback and opinions to the Strategy Group, help promote firmwide initiatives and act as role models for inclusive behaviour.

  • BEST SELF

    BEST SELF

    Best Self are our internal LGBTQ+ group and open to anyone at the firm identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and questioning as well as other sexual and gender identities (such as intersex and pansexual) and straight allies. Sometimes people can feel concerned about coming out in the workplace and by having a visible LGBTQ+ group we aim to make this easier. The group feeds into the wider equality and diversity strategy and ensures LGBTQ+ staff continue to feel supported in their careers.

  • STONEWALL DIVERSITY CHAMPION

    STONEWALL DIVERSITY CHAMPION

    We are a proud Stonewall Diversity Champion. Stonewall are a lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) charity who ‘support individuals to work out how they can make a difference for LGBT people at work, home and in their communities’. We take part in their annual WEI Index, the definitive benchmarking tool for employers to measure their progress on lesbian, gay, bi and trans inclusion in the workplace, and take on board Stonewall’s feedback to ensure we continue to be inclusive of our LGBT colleagues.

  • LEGAL BEST

    LEGAL BEST

    We are a founding member of LeGal BesT; a network of mid-size law firms with a focus on issues and support for their lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) staff. While discussions and events are based on areas mostly affecting LGBT employees, the group is open to anyone with an interest in supporting their LGBT colleagues and diversity in general.

  • ASPIRING SOLICITORS

    ASPIRING SOLICITORS

    BDB Pitmans is proud to be an Affiliate Member of Aspiring Solicitors, an award winning access scheme aimed at improving diversity in the legal profession. Through Aspiring Solicitors we offer opportunities to network with people in the firm, work placements as well as information and guidance through our Professional Ambassadors. In addition to working with Aspiring Solicitors we offer access to work experience for students from Palmers College and a 6 week internship with Career Ready.

  • DIVERSITY WEEK

    In addition to our Lunch and Learn seminars we hold an annual Diversity Week with the aim of raising awareness of a variety of diversity and inclusion topics. Previous topics have included; mental health and wellbeing, disability, dyslexia, mindfulness, being inclusive, widening access to the legal profession, insights from other organisations, caring and changing attitudes to LGBT rights.

  • DIVERSITY TRAINING

    We are committed to ensuring that every member of the firm understands the key importance of maintaining a diverse and inclusive environment at BDB Pitmans. With this in mind, all new members of the firm are required to attend a session on Diversity and Inclusion at BDB and unconscious bias training, facilitated by an external diversity consultant. Our diversity and inclusion Intranet page provides all employees with useful and interesting information, links and news related to our diversity and inclusion activities.

  • RAISING AWARENESS EVENTS

    We hold Lunch and Learn talks throughout the year. Over the years, we have worked with speakers and trainers from a variety of organisations including MIND, Talking Talent, Inclusive Diversity and Employees Matter to host a variety of interesting lunch and learn sessions. Examples of some of the themes we have held include ‘sleep’, ‘valuing communication differences’, ‘dealing with difficult conversations’, ‘time management for working parents’, ‘developing mental health resilience’, ‘first aid for parents’ and ‘unconscious bias’.

  • THE LAW SOCIETY’S DIVERSITY CHARTER

    We are a signatory of The Law Society’s Diversity Charter, a public commitment by legal practices to promote the values of diversity, equality and inclusion throughout their firm. Charter members are required to complete an annual self-assessment against a set of protocols designed to support practices to fulfil their commitments in key business areas. In 2015, legacy BDB was recognised as demonstrating best practice in the area of monitoring and review and engagement with staff, clients and community.

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