According to the report – published today (30 January) and rolled out across the firm’s 26-office global network for the first time – the City giant has too few female partners and there remain several longer-term issues arising from its associates’ forum that need to be addressed.
Freshfields now plans to review its diversity training and boost initiatives to address issues faced by underrepresented groups within the firm.
By 2009 the magic circle firm also hopes to have increased its pro bono activities by 30% and aims to cut its carbon emissions by 10% by April 2008, using video and telephone conferencing to reduce air travel.
A further report in 2009 will review how many of the firm’s latest CSR targets have been met.
The report follows an independent review conducted by external assessment body the Corporate Citizenship Company and covers four main areas: law and ethics; people and diversity; climate change and the environment; and community and pro bono legal advice.
It found that Freshfields had met most – but not all – of the targets set out in a similar report in 2006, which marked out the firm as one of the first major
Co-senior partner Guy Morton (pictured) commented: “The report is an opportunity to assess, on an international scale, how we are progressing in our commitment to being a socially and environmentally responsible business. It is also intended to improve our understanding of the local and international markets and communities we work in.”
John Blain, the Freshfields partner responsible for CSR in the City, added: “We aim to be responsible as well as profitable. Key to this is having a positive impact on our local communities, reducing our contribution to climate change, being a good employer, investing in the future by helping to improve the skills of young people and, as a law firm, promoting human rights and enhancing access to justice for people in need.”
Talkback: Is Freshfields the most conscientious law firm in the City? Click here to have your say.
More news, deals and comment on Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
