At Eversheds Sutherland, corporate responsibility, pro bono, diversity and inclusion, wellbeing and social initiatives are visibly championed and seen as fundamental to the firm’s purpose of “Helping our clients, our people and our communities to thrive”.
The firm has a strong commitment to being a purpose-led organisation and responsible business and supports a number of different charities, community investment groups and social enterprises on a pro bono basis. To name an example, the firm has recently supported on the City Solicitors Horizons mentoring scheme, and has also partnered with Kids in Need of Defense UK (KIND) to provide legal support to children and families living in the UK without British citizenship. Other key charity partners include Citizens Advice, Land Aid, Business in the Community, Transform Housing & Support, End Youth Homelessness, and the Whitechapel Mission, which the firm regularly supports through fundraising events such as ‘The Big Sleep Out’. The firm has also taken part in the London Legal Walk to raise donations for the London Legal Trust, which supports access to justice and the provision of funding to legal centres such as Trustlaw.
As a trainee, there are thus numerous opportunities to support on pro bono initiatives, and this is something that is actively encouraged and supported by the firm. For example, all trainees volunteer at the Battersea Legal Advice Centre by providing legal advice to members of the public on issues ranging from private housing or employment concerns, to small claims, consumer and general litigation queries. Trainees are also encouraged to volunteer on the Urban Debaters programme in conjunction with the Hebe Foundation, which provides debating workshops and training sessions for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to build their confidence and communication skills and discover their talents. Supporting on these initiatives helps trainees with developing legal, advocacy, leadership and interpersonal skills, while also increasing job satisfaction and improving wellbeing at the same time.
Eversheds Sutherland also provides a number of people networks which are open to all colleagues to join, for example, the Gender Network, Perspective (LGBT+) Network and Verve Network (which raises awareness and understanding of the experiences of ethnic minority colleagues), to name a few. These networks provide access to regular newsletters and updates, internal mentoring schemes, masterclasses and weekly virtual “Coffee Morning” meetings and panel discussions, which together create a sense of community across different teams, offices and geographical boundaries.
As a member of the Verve network, I have had the opportunity to participate in both the internal Verve Mentoring Scheme and the external Business in the Community’s ‘Cross-Organisational Mentoring Circles for Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic Employees’. These initiatives have provided a great platform for me to not only gain career support and insight as a trainee, but to build relationships with both colleagues and fellow mentees from different organisations and industries as well. In 2022, the firm also celebrated its Global Inclusion Week with a wide range of virtual events and activities being organised, including a Gender Inclusive Language bitesize training session and a Verve and Gender Network Career Progression Panel.
As a trainee, having the opportunity to get involved with these different networks and charities has been incredibly rewarding, whilst also being a great way to meet and get to know colleagues from different teams and offices. In addition to this, the firm has also organised various virtual and in-person social events over the course of the year. For example, a “London Office Day” was recently held over the summer, with special events being organised for the day including a yoga session, a pop-up lunch, a Design Museum curator talk and an evening office social and jazz event by Guildhall. I have also had the opportunity to attend numerous team building socials and events, including a Summer Social with the Corporate team, a sports day event with the Energy team, a Future Trainees Social, and various welcome and farewell team socials organised for the trainees in each seat rotation.
The firm has also continued its strong commitment to wellbeing and providing support to employees, offering, for example, an Employee Assistance Programme 24/7 365 days a year to provide confidential support, information and guidance. There are also a number of sports and fitness clubs in the London office open to all, and these form a great way to meet colleagues, improve health and wellbeing and network with clients.
I have greatly enjoyed my training contract experience thus far and have found the culture throughout the firm to be welcoming, inclusive and collaborative from day one. Since starting my career at Eversheds Sutherland, I have received incredible training, support and encouragement from all of my colleagues, and I consider myself to be very fortunate to work at a firm which offers the fantastic opportunities highlighted above.
Keen to find out more? View their profile here.