Law Society wins industry award for disability work

Posted on22 May 2024

The Law Society is celebrating after picking up an industry award for its work to support lawyers with disabilities.

Chancery Lane won the Women and Diversity in Law award for disability and/or neurodiversity initiative of the year award.

Polly Williams, the Society’s head of diversity and inclusion, said: ‘We are extremely proud and excited to have won this award. This is the culmination of many years’ work for the Society and its Disabled Solicitors Network.’

The work began with the groundbreaking Legally Disabled? research in 2020, which was co-produced by Cardiff Business School and the Society’s Disabled Solicitors Network.

The research ‘focused the profession’s mind on this sometimes neglected area, as for the first time we had data for disabled people’s experiences in the profession’, Williams said. ‘Our initiatives have always sought to address findings from the research. We have published guidance and tips on accessibility, held roundtables, celebrated Disability History Month and encouraged members to share their experience, as well as continued to facilitate networking opportunities.

‘We would like to thank the Legally Disabled? researchers Professor Debbie Foster and Dr Natasha Hirst, the DSN committee members over the years who have informed and supported our work, most recently led by current chair Reena Parmar and immediate past chair Jane Burton, and all those individuals and organisations who have shared their experiences and knowledge.

‘There is still much to do, and we look forward to continuing to work together to achieve it.’

Read the original article with photographs in the Law Society Gazette here>>

Burges Salmon has been an enthusiastic supporter of BLS for many years. BLS provides a valuable role in uniting and promoting the whole of the legal sector across Bristol to benefit both its members and the city. It facilitates collaboration across the sector to ensure that we can all make a difference. Whether that is driving important initiatives in, for example, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the use of new technologies, liaising with stakeholders and charities in our wider community or providing training to generations of lawyers, the service and support provided by BLS is invaluable. More recently BLS has taken a lead on promoting Bristol’s legal brand, encouraging legal and business services talent to come to the city, which in turn attracts clients and inward investment to our thriving and vibrant commercial community. BLS breaks down barriers and brings those in the profession together for the greater good. We are proud of our long-standing association with BLS.
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