Powell Gilbert LLP

Diversity and CSR

Our people are our most significant strength and we firmly believe that fostering an inclusive work environment, with equal opportunities, is key to our ongoing success. We aim to maximise the potential of every member of the team, promoting mutual respect and ensuring that they are seen as an individual first and foremost. They are supported and empowered to achieve, regardless of gender, ethnic origin, nationality, marital or civil partner status, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, disability or socio-economic background. The gender ratio across the firm as a whole is approximately equal.  The Partnership is also diverse, in terms of gender, sexual orientation and ethnicity. Our staff are invited to participate in a Diversity Survey on an anonymous and voluntary basis.  The data, based only on those individuals who completed the survey, can be found on our website. We are proud to support IP Inclusive in the UK, an industry network which is dedicated to improving diversity in the IP professions, as well as ChIPs , a non-profit organization that advances and connects women in technology, law and policy.

The firm takes Corporate Social Responsibility seriously, working in partnership with Queens Park Community School and Careers Academies UK to provide mentoring to students aged 16 to 19 years. The firm provides pro bono legal advice to DACs (the Design and Artists Copyright Society - a leading UK copyright and collecting society for artists and visual creators).  We work with the society by providing pro bono legal services to artists caught up in copyright and licensing disputes.

As part of the firm’s commitment to DEI, Powell Gilbert was delighted to partner with IP Inclusive for their ‘Summer of IP 2023’ campaign. The purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness of IP-related careers, encourage a wider range of people to pursue them, and improve access to them by providing “taster” activities and guidance. As part of the campaign, we offered work experience placements (including to a number of PhD students currently involved in Life Sciences research), as well as hosting two events which covered : (i) The Different Types of IP – a presentation providing an overview of the different types of IP, and (ii) Life as an IP Solicitor / IP Barrister – panel discussion about working life as an IP solicitor and an IP barrister.  Both events were very well attended and this year the firm repeated the programme as part of IP Inclusive’s 2024 campaign

“I'm just bowled over by the amount of time and effort you and your colleagues have put into these Summer of IP projects. The events look to have been amazing. Thank you so, so much.” Andrea Brewster OBE CPA EPA, Lead Executive Officer, IP Inclusive.

Powell Gilbert is also involved in mentoring students aged 16 to 19 years, to provide personal and professional support to help the students achieve their academic and career aspirations. This year we ran a work experience project to introduce pupils from a local school to the various kinds of jobs available within a law firm, not just as a lawyer or paralegal, but also in important roles within the accounts department, the office support team and in marketing, for example.

Powell Gilbert is proud to support charitable initiatives for a variety of causes. We’re always keen to get involved and raise money, whether by dressing up, baking cakes or putting our running shoes on. Each year we donate to a Charity at Christmas.

We actively seek to mitigate the impact of our business on the environment, including minimising energy consumption, extensive recycling schemes and encouraging cycling to work.  We are advising The Ocean Cleanup on a pro bono basis and to help them on towards their goal of ridding the world’s oceans of plastic pollution.

PG encourages the firm to think of new initiatives for its DEI and ‘green’ programmes leading to an open and positive thinking office and environment.