Slater Heelis

We have a firm-wide target to focus on diversity and inclusion. We are fully committed to the elimination of unfair discrimination and we see the value that a diverse workforce brings to the firm. We have an EDI policy that covers all protected characteristics and works to value meritocracy, openness, fairness and transparency. The policy is  applicable  to  all  employees,  agency  staff,  clients,  communities,  suppliers  and consultants, whether permanent or temporary.

In 2021 the firm’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion steering group was set up, which is run by 7 individuals from different levels within the business, ethnicities and backgrounds.

The committee has rolled out internal communications to educate colleagues on the value and importance of using inclusive language to showcase a welcoming and safe environment by including pronouns on email signatures and on our intranet.

With colleagues from a range of backgrounds and beliefs across the firm, the ED&I committee has done the groundwork to educate before implementing.

By broadening our talent pool by advertising jobs on a more diverse range of platforms and offering internships to individuals through college partnerships and the 10000 Black Interns Scheme, we demonstrate an openness to all applicants, not just those who may already have heard of us. In a matter of days we saw an exceptional increase in both the number of applications and the diversity within the talent pool.

Not only are we encouraging better representation and inclusion across the firm, but by developing this we are able to demonstrate a workforce that will better resemble society and our broad client base. We strive to move away from a business run by all white cisgender males by planning the implementation of an internal development platform, and as such clients from all walks of life will be able to see a law firm filled with people just like them, and feel more comfortable in approaching us.

Sustainability

Slater Heelis is an accredited Living Wage Foundation Employer, and with regards to the business’ impact on the environment, we are committed, amongst other initiatives, to:

• efficient printing
• reducing the amount of waste produced by the business
• ensuring that water/electricity is used responsibly by our staff
• recycling materials as extensively as possible
• using technology to lessen the need for travel
• the promotion of agile working to reduce our carbon footprint

Pro Bono

We offer Pro Bono advice to service users of the LGBT Foundation in Manchester. Our Head of Family, Mark Heptinstall, and Head of Crime, Rachel Fletcher, provide this service.