BLP launches LGBT initiative

Jun 01, 2016

Written By Jack J Collins, Editor, AllAboutLaw.co.uk

Berwin Leighton Paisner, the international law firm, has recently announced the launch of a new enterprise named ‘AuthentiCity’, which will be aimed at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT*) students and graduates.

The first event will be held on 6 July 2016 at the firm’s offices in London, and will involve employers from a wide cross section of industries – Aviva, JLL, JP Morgan and KPMG are all already confirmed to be partners of the initiative.

The event will provide opportunities for UK based LGBT* students to experience life at a City law firm, as well as providing expert career advice from a number of different industries, which will allow them to see the options available to them.

BLP have confirmed that the event will involve a number of interactive sessions, such as a breakout Question and Answer session with senior partners, as well as workshops on what different career paths can offer to students.

Daisy Reeves, Partner and LGBT Champion at Berwin Leighton Paisner, said: “LGBT* rights in the workplace might well have come a long way over recent years but there is still a lot of work to do for many LGBT* people to feel comfortable in the work environment.

“At BLP we value a diverse and inclusive workforce, bringing different perspectives from all walks of life to the business, and we want to ensure that our current and future staff feel comfortable about being their authentic selves in the workplace.”

Kris Phelps, Group Manager at Stonewall, added that: “This is a fantastic and necessary initiative from BLP and other organisations. At Stonewall we know that people perform better when they can be themselves. The firms involved in AuthentiCity are sending a clear message to LGBT graduates and apprentices that their sexual orientation and gender identity will have no impact on their career development.”

Reeves concluded that, “We aim to dispel the myth about the nature of City-life when it comes to LGBT* issues and therefore start to help attendees achieve their professional ambitions.”

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