International law firm Simmons & Simmons has today published new targets to improve diversity by socio-economic background in the firm’s UK offices.
One of only a few of the large firms to publicly disclose their social mobility targets, as of February 2025, Simmons will aim to improve its UK representation by ensuring that by 2029, a minimum of 20% of employees across a range of roles will come from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
The new 20% target will apply to partners, managing associates, associates and trainees/apprentices. For business services employees, the target will be set even higher, at 30%. The targets will employ metrics recommended by the SRA and Social Mobility Commission.
As of January 2025, UK representation of Simmons employees from lower socio-economic backgrounds stood at 13% for partners, 17% for managing associates, 14% for associates, 12% for trainees/apprentices, and 25% for business services professionals.
To meet its 2029 targets, the firm will employ advanced recruitment tools and use its own social mobility programmes to develop a pipeline of new talent, including The Young Talent Programme, Brampton Future Lawyers Programme and Solicitors Apprenticeship Programme.
The firm will also continue to support a range of external initiatives, such as 10,000 Black Interns and Big City Bright Future. Internally, the firm continues to run multiple social mobility initiatives, including a mentoring programme and regular campaigns through its Social Mobility Network.
Simmons’ commitment to social mobility has been reflected in its consistent performance in the Social Mobility Foundation “Top 75 Employer Index”, where the firm has been recognised as a Top 75 Employer for the eighth year.
Senior Partner Julian Taylor commented: “A career in law should not be determined by background. I’m immensely proud of the transformative social mobility programmes we have at Simmons, yet we’re acutely aware that we need to do more as a firm to ensure our workplace is more representative. The fact remains that the profession as a whole is one of the least diverse by socio-economic background.
“Publishing these figures in a very transparent way will allow the firm to hold itself to account. These ambitious social mobility targets will ensure that we go further and faster in our efforts to widen access and opportunities.”
