Squire Patton Boggs has again been ranked in the top 20 in the Social Mobility Employer Index, with the firm placed 16th amongst the 143 business and public sector organisations that entered this year.
Created by UK charity the Social Mobility Foundation in 2017, the Social Mobility Employer Index is the leading authority on employer-led social mobility. The Index is a rigorous assessment of the steps being taken by employers to ensure their organisations are accessible to talent from all social backgrounds, as well as their efforts to retain and develop those individuals.
Partner Rob Elvin, who leads the firm’s Social Mobility Resource Group, commented: “As an organisation committed to being a fair and equitable employer, we have long recognised the importance of social mobility. Working across the firm and with clients and specialist organisations such as the Social Mobility Foundation, we are continuing to find ways to better engage with hidden talent and to establish opportunities that enable everyone to achieve their full potential, regardless of their background.”
As part of its Social Mobility efforts, the firm launched its Access to Law Scholarship Programme at the beginning of this year. This initiative, undertaken in collaboration with the Social Mobility Business Partnership, is providing financial assistance to students from less advantaged backgrounds who are seeking a career in law.
In addition to continuing to develop training, mentoring and work experience opportunities, the firm has expanded its apprenticeship scheme to include both legal and non-legal apprenticeships, providing an alternative route into law.
The firm has also increased its work within local communities, appointing lawyers as local champions to partner with schools, colleges and universities to raise skills and provide opportunities for a variety of candidates to access its work experience, open days, student support and legal industry insights. Aligning with its ESG strategy, the firm has committed to provide 75% of internship and work experience opportunities to disadvantaged students through its social mobility programmes.
For further information about the index, please visit the Social Mobility Foundation website.