Travers Smith LLP

Our approach to diversity and creating an inclusive workplace goes beyond just ticking a box. We want everyone to be themselves at Travers Smith. We value everything that makes us unique and we recognise that celebrating our differences helps make the firm a special place to work.

From initiatives aimed at reducing biases and tackling micro-aggressions, to the wide-ranging and exciting work of our diversity network groups, we have an extensive D&I programme aimed at creating a workplace where people can thrive and reach their full potential. Below is a selection of projects we delivered in 2020-21

1. A focus on allyship

Allies, or people who are proactive and understanding of the challenges affecting diverse groups of people, can be instrumental in driving positive cultural change. It is not the responsibility of people from minority groups to create a fairer society but rather that task sits on the shoulders of allies and people in positions of influence. Building upon this framework of engaging with the majority to help drive positive change for the minority and/or underrepresented, we have developed resources aimed at educating and empowering our people to be effective allies.

2. Building an anti-racism workplace

It is no longer enough for individuals to say they are not racist; we all need to be proactively anti-racist. As part of our wider work in tackling racial inequality, we continue to run our 'Empowering our Allies: How do we be Anti-Racist?' series for all partners and members of staff. These interactive sessions discussed the importance of being anti-racist, how we can all be anti-racist, and what this looks like in our day-to-day and working lives.

3. Intersectionality: celebrating difference

By looking at our D&I initiatives through an intersectional lens, we are able to better examine the role people's multiple identities have in compounding inequality and discrimination, and to develop mechanisms to better promote inclusion. Some ways we have achieved this are:

• D&I Seminar programme: We programmed a series of seminars, events and podcasts involving speakers from as diverse backgrounds as possible to help provide an insight into the diverse experiences of people from minority and under-represented groups.
• D&I book club: We have recently launched a quarterly D&I-themed book club that is open to anyone across the firm. this book club will provide people with an opportunity to discuss the chosen text, as well as explore its associated themes.

More information: https://www.traverssmith.com/difference/being-inclusive/