Diversity and inclusion

Disability inclusion at Freshfields

Freshfields is committed to being a disability-inclusive employer. We are constantly searching for ways to attract and progress our disabled talent.

We also aim to support our colleagues who are affected by disability (such as those with caring responsibilities) and to give all an opportunity to champion disability across the firm. On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2019, the firm was pleased to announce that it joined the Valuable 500, committing at a senior level to disability inclusion globally.

We partner with Business Disability Forum, who help organisations become disability smart, and are part of their Global Taskforce. We also work with Myplus Consulting who advise on better attracting, retaining and progressing talented disabled graduates.

We bring together disabled colleagues and Champions to be part of our disability network, Freshfields Enabled, with the aim of working together to become a more inclusive workplace. The network offers peer support for people at Freshfields with a range of disabilities, providing insights from people with similar lived experience. Members of Enabled also help ensure inclusive and accessible working conditions at Freshfields (including accessibility at our new 100 Bishopsgate office).

Reena Parmar, Senior Knowledge Lawyer and Enabled Network Co-chair, says: “Understanding, being compassionate about, and engaging in dialogue about disability and accessibility can vastly change our and our colleagues’ day-to-day working experiences.”

Peter Allen, Partner and Co-Head of International Capital Markets and one of the network’s senior sponsors, says: “We see the Enabled Network as both vitally important in its own right and as a key part of the firm’s wider diversity and inclusion priorities, as we do all our employee-led networks. We seek to promote disability inclusion at Freshfields as part of our aim to ensure that everybody feels fully welcomed, that they belong and can achieve their full potential here.”