Explore insights from our people on our responsible business activities, including inclusion & diversity, wellbeing, community & pro bono, and the environment.
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Clifford Chance signs up to the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
80% of disabilities, conditions or chronic illnesses are not visibly apparent. Some people find it hard to understand and believe that someone with a non-apparent (sometimes referred to as 'hidden' or 'invisible') disability or condition genuinely needs support.
Matt Taylor Partner, Head of UK PropTech 22 February 2024
Read more about Clifford Chance signs up to the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
A responsible approach to secure generative AI tool adoption
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming legal services and the wider services industry. As a global law firm, we are committed to maintain the highest professional standards around our use of AI, that protects our clients, adheres to the law, and enhances the quality of our legal services to our clients.
Anthony Vigneron Director, Legal Technology Solutions 9 September 2024
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Championing mental health across the firm
We recognise that our high-performance environment demands a lot from our people, and that it is important to protect and enhance wellbeing to enable everyone to be the best they can be at work and beyond.
Charles Alberts Global Head of Wellbeing and People Experience 9 September 2024
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A collaborative approach to inclusion
Integral to our values, at Clifford Chance we believe being inclusive is the right thing to do and is what our clients demand. Our commitment to the issue is recognised by some significant clients and during FY24 we worked alongside Amazon, HSBC, and many other banks and corporates, as well as financial investor clients, on initiatives that further our shared inclusion agendas.
Tiernan Brady Global Director of Inclusion 9 September 2024
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Building an inclusive culture
During the financial year ended 30 April 2024, we have taken great strides in building a culture of inclusivity across the firm. An example of that is the expansion of our global affinity networks in India.
Tiernan Brady Global Director of Inclusion 9 September 2024
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Long-term support for Rwanda’s genocide survivors
As Rwanda marked 30 years since the genocide on 7 April 2024, one aim of our Cornerstone initiative – leave a legacy – is being realised by a project providing psychological and employability support to survivors and their children.
Tom Dunn Global Pro Bono and Community Director 9 September 2024
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Pro bono partnership for respect, equality and safety
We are committed to inclusion, and support My Sisters' Place, a non-profit in White Plains, New York State that works to end domestic violence and human trafficking.
Evan Cohen Partner 9 September 2024
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Sustainability goals for our global real estate portfolio
We have set ambitious sustainability goals. Our offices account for a large proportion of our emissions, and we are committed to making them as sustainable as possible.
Nicole Brocklebank-Fowler Global Head of Property Portfolio 9 September 2024
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Practical support for Net Zero ambition
As a founding member of the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance (NZLA), Clifford Chance has an active involvement with the collective participating in the United Nations Race to Zero campaign. Thirty-five law firms, with a combined workforce of around 200,000, form part of the growing membership of the NZLA.
Roger Leese Partner 9 September 2024
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Working together on our climate change risks
Our Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework is designed to identify key risks affecting our business and address their likelihood, their impact and how quickly they may materialise. During FY24, we integrated climate change risk into our risk framework with greater specificity than before.
Bahare Heywood Chief Risk and Compliance Officer 9 September 2024
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Client and NGO collaborations drive enduring impact
We work with nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) who share our vision of advancing the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our well-established NGO relationships deliver longstanding, effectively structured volunteering programmes. We enable opportunities for our clients to partner on these programmes with us in advancing the SDGs.
Tom Dunn Global Pro Bono and Community Director 13 December 2024
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Embracing Inclusion: The rule of law and boardroom diversity
Business the world over is placing gender diversity higher up the agenda. It is an increasing demand from all stakeholders, from employees to customers – and is just good business; diverse boards are proven to be more innovative and profitable, and yet female board representation remains stubbornly low.
Floris Van de Bult Partner, Co-Head of Global Employment Practice 8 March 2023
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Clifford Chance advises Bikeworks as it opens London's first inclusive Cycle Centre of Excellence
Clifford Chance has provided pro bono support to a community-involved social enterprise, Bikeworks, to open London's first Inclusive Cycling Centre of Excellence in Stratford, London.
Alis (Alisavou) Pay Partner, Co-Head of the Real Estate Sector 3 April 2023
Read more about Clifford Chance advises Bikeworks as it opens London's first inclusive Cycle Centre of Excellence
Sustainable workspaces in Asia Pacific
Sustainability is important for our clients and our people, so we embrace systems and initiatives that support better use of energy resources and reduce CO2 emissions. One way we are doing this is by considering sustainability as part of the process when identifying buildings for new offices.
Vanita Fulford-Brown General Manager, Singapore 5 June 2023
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Key takeaways from Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse's Annual Conference
I heard from stories of bereaved families who have lost their loved ones to fatal domestic abuse and learnt about the work of practitioners in this area, including the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, APCC Joint Lead for Victims, Domestic Homicide Policy Lead at the Home Office, and the Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding.
Aniko Adam Counsel 12 June 2023
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Supporting the General Counsel for Diversity & Inclusion (GCD&I)
GCD&I draws together leading General Counsel to promote inclusion and diversity. With more than 130 signatories from across the business spectrum, GCD&I has developed a series of consistent metrics designed to measure and report on diversity. The next steps include driving their adoption, thereby enabling in-house and law firm legal teams to be more representative.
Tiernan Brady Global Director of Inclusion 14 June 2023
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Clifford Chance assists pro bono partner ICAAD on two successful human rights cases in Barbados
Clifford Chance has assisted its pro bono partner International Center for Advocates Against Discrimination (ICAAD) and Barbados NGO Operation Safe Space (OSS) on two important human rights cases in Barbados. Both cases resulted in successful judgments that strengthen human rights protections in Barbados.
Sam Harris Senior Associate 14 July 2023
Read more about Clifford Chance assists pro bono partner ICAAD on two successful human rights cases in Barbados
Our Responsible Business approach: Future Focus
The financial year 2022/23 was marked by significant disruptions caused by the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, the energy crisis, market volatility and geopolitical tensions.
Charles Adams Global Managing Partner 13 September 2023
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Responsible Tech: Advancement for all
In a world driven by rapid technology development, it is critical that adoption of new tools and the way they are developed are guided by clear principles and done in a safe and responsible way. We have a long track record of helping our clients navigate these complex challenges and, through our own community programmes, of making tech more inclusive and diverse.
Dessislava Savova Partner, Head of Continental Europe Tech Group 20 September 2023
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Coding and computer skills with NGO Women in Africa
One pro bono project truly inspired our volunteers – the coding and computer skills training programme run in partnership with NGO Women in Africa. Nearly 100 colleagues from our offices around the world have signed up to be mentors to teenage girls from Groupe Scolaire of Kimisange in Kigali on the project.
Tom Dunn Global Pro Bono and Community Director 11 October 2023
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Portal boosts pro bono uptake at Clifford Chance
After its successful launch in the US, we have rolled out Paladin, the online portal for pro bono and volunteering opportunities, to our people in the UK, continental Europe and the Middle East.
Octavio Canseco Abogado 20 November 2023
Read more about Portal boosts pro bono uptake at Clifford Chance
Raising awareness through storytelling: our Enable affinity group
Our Enable network seeks to create the right culture and environment for colleagues with a disability, long-term injury or condition to succeed and ensure they have the equality of opportunity and experience. The network creates opportunities for colleagues to celebrate diversity and discuss inclusion topics, as exemplified by our People in
Law 2022 award-winning Enable: My Lived Experience series.
4 December 2023
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Clifford Chance's Global Virtual Internships tap an appetite for learning
Since launch, the programme has provided far reaching access to world-class development resources that clearly tapped an appetite for learning; we have received over 150,000 enrolments from students from more than 1,300 universities and 143 countries.
Sarah Langton Global Head of Talent Acquisition 19 December 2023
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Powering the Future: Clean hydrogen boosts the energy transition
New technology and government incentives
are boosting clean energy and driving a greater
demand for high-end legal capabilities steeped in
the sector. These capabilities become increasingly
important when production scales in ways never
achieved before. A case in point is our advice
to the US Department of Energy on a landmark
clean hydrogen project in Utah, US.
David Evans Senior Counsel 1 December 2023
Read more about Powering the Future: Clean hydrogen boosts the energy transition
Inclusion: Key to our success
Inclusion is both a core value and a business imperative. In pursuit of our vision at Clifford Chance to be the Global Law Firm of Choice, it has been a priority for me to see inclusion embedded at the heart of every aspect of our business and every decision we make.
24 January 2022
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Inclusion is for all of us
The goal of inclusion in our firm is to deliver an equal experience and opportunity for all of us. If people perceive inclusion to be about someone else, or somewhere else, then it is not delivering on that goal.
Tiernan Brady Global Director of Inclusion 24 January 2022
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Enabling global change
Enable, our vision and strategy to raise awareness of visible and non-visible disabilities and the diversity of working needs and to debunk the myths and stigmas surrounding the term ‘disability’, has evolved significantly. Co-chair of Enable Ashika Patel and Translation Services Officer Teresa Reja explain why the work Enable is delivering is important to them and the firm.
Tiernan Brady Global Director of Inclusion 31 January 2022
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Advancing networking with bubbles
London Associates Deon Fang and Golshan Mahdi-Nau welcome a new UK inclusion initiative to help ethnic minority colleagues progress within the firm.
Golshan Mahdi-Nau Senior Associate 10 February 2022
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Award-winning reverse mentoring
Taking the classical approach to mentoring and turning it on its head has moved diversity issues further up the agenda. Germany’s Reverse Mentoring programme champion Anna Thwaites explains how it is helping foster a more inclusive culture at the firm.
Anna Thwaites Partner 9 February 2022
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Dismantling systemic racism, protecting multiracial democracy
After the murder of George Floyd in May 2020 and the turbulent summer that followed, Clifford Chance joined nearly 300 other US and global firms to form a national network dedicated to advancing racial equity in the law. Law Firm Antiracism Alliance board member Jeff Berman talks about the past 18 months’ work and the challenges that lie ahead.
Jeff Berman Partner 17 February 2022
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Expanding our Race Equality and Celebrating Heritage network
Expanding our racial equality network across Continental Europe reaffirms our commitment to creating a firm that’s more reflective of the society in which we operate. Partner and Chair of our Race Equality and Celebrating Heritage (REACH) network in Continental Europe Mustapha Mourahib discusses the importance of the network in the region and how clients can get involved.
Mustapha Mourahib Office Managing Partner, Casablanca, and Co-Head of the Africa Group 14 February 2022
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A plan for reconciliation
Associate Tegan Kelly is a Torres Strait Islander woman in our Sydney office and Chair of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group, which devised and now administers the firm’s plan for reconciliation with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia.
Tegan Kelly Associate 7 February 2022
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Inclusion education
Enable, our vision and strategy to raise awareness of visible and non-visible disabilities and the diversity of working needs and to debunk the myths and stigmas surrounding the term ‘disability’, has evolved significantly. Co-chair of Enable Ashika Patel and Translation Services Officer Teresa Reja explain why the work Enable is delivering is important to them and the firm.
Michelle Williams Partner 3 February 2022
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Championing health equity
Senior Procurement Manager Sharmila Bhatnagar shares the potentially life-saving initiative in India to promote menstrual health among young women in rural areas.
25 February 2022
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Partnering for progress
How can mentoring programmes contribute to diversity and inclusion? Bank of America mentors Shamir Malviya and Sarah Chiu discuss this with their mentee, Clifford Chance Singapore Associate Allison Tan.
Allison Tan Senior Associate 28 February 2022
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Clifford Chance celebrates Black History Month with Dicta creator Harbani Ahuja
In celebration of Black History Month in the US, Clifford Chance hosted a virtual conversation between counsel Patrick Jackson in São Paulo and International Center for Advocates Against Discrimination's (ICAAD) inaugural artist-in-residence, Dicta creator and public interest attorney Harbani Ahuja.
Patrick Jackson Partner 20 February 2022
Read more about Clifford Chance celebrates Black History Month with Dicta creator Harbani Ahuja
Clifford Chance advises the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre as it opens its first community space
Clifford Chance has provided wide-ranging pro bono support to the new London LGBTQ+ Community Centre in Blackfriars, Central London. The Centre provides a safe, inclusive, sober, intergenerational, and intersectional space for the LGBTQ+ community.
Matt Fairclough Regional Practice Area Leader for Global Financial Markets in the UK 18 February 2022
Read more about Clifford Chance advises the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre as it opens its first community space
Reverse Mentoring: 2022 update from the Paris office
Our Reverse Mentoring initiative was launched in Paris in 2020 to encourage and foster an ever more inclusive working environment. For two years, the project has enabled several partners, counsel, lawyers and members of Paris' senior business professionals to discover the experience of a more junior colleague (or one with a different background) within the office and to see how this might differ from their own lived experience.
Delphine Siino Courtin Partner 7 March 2022
Read more about Reverse Mentoring: 2022 update from the Paris office
An exhibition of pride
Since its launch 15 years ago, our Arcus Pride Art event has grown to be one of the biggest corporate exhibitions of LGBTQ+ art in the world. Arcus member Kane Dowsett explains how it promotes inclusivity at Clifford Chance and beyond.
Kane Dowsett Head of Brand, Communications & Marketing - Americas 4 March 2022
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Using data to deliver
Global Partner for Talent Chinwe Odimba-Chapman and Senior Associate Florence Wong discuss the importance of data collection in furthering inclusion.
Florence Wong Senior Associate 9 March 2022
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Being an ambassador for change - the Clifford Chance way
Amy Bird, co-chair of the UK chapter of Clifford Chance's Gender Parity Network Accelerate>>> (and a senior associate in the London Employment team, and a member of the firm's ESG Board) marks International Women's Day 2022.
Amy Bird Director - Employment 8 March 2022
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Upholding human rights
For trainee Joseph Sherlock, whose interest in law was sparked by reading about Guantanamo Bay, the opportunity to do pro bono work for human rights NGO Reprieve was too good to miss.
17 March 2022
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The Sustainable Development Goals become serious business
The Sustainable Development Goals have become well established as an effective framework for moving responsible businesses practices to the centre of a company's long-term strategy.
Roger Leese Partner 17 May 2022
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Working to Support the Victims of Torture
Ahead of the UN's International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on 26 June, Gareth Dray, a Senior Associate, discusses Clifford Chance's work with Redress and the Convention against Torture Initiative (CTI) on the Anti-Torture Standards in Common Law Africa report.
Gareth Dray Legal Director, M&A 22 June 2022
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Reflections on a transgender asylum case
Partner Jessica Springsteen reflects on a recent transgender asylum case which had a profound effect on her.
Jessica Springsteen Partner 11 July 2022
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Acting responsibly
Our annual report - this year with the theme 'Acting Responsibly' - highlights the progress of Clifford Chance's Responsible Business strategy. It concentrates on the issues that are important to our stakeholders and that have the greatest potential to affect the sustainability and success of the firm.
Jeroen Ouwehand Partner 17 October 2022
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Living by the Code
Launched in 2020, our global Code of Conduct defines our values and the expectations of everyone working in our firm. The Code guides our behaviour with each other, our clients and all our external stakeholders.
Dorothée Vermeiren Partner 25 October 2022
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A unique approach to risk
Managing risk is good business, but it’s also what our clients, people and regulators expect of us. Clients rightly expect businesses they deal with to implement effective risk management practices, as they seek to manage the risks within their own supply chain.
Bahare Heywood Chief Risk and Compliance Officer 24 October 2022
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Delivering on our people’s aspirations and delivering leaders
We only operate at our best when our people do too. And through our Global People Survey, they told us they want more regular feedback and conversations focused on their career and development opportunities. So, we launched the Three Conversations framework to give all colleagues the right opportunities to discuss their individual performance, development, and career aspirations.
Chinwe Odimba -Chapman Global People and Talent Partner 31 October 2022
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A clear focus on Diversity and Inclusion through the Mansfield Rule
At the end of June 2021, the firm announced it would expand from US participation to the new UK pilot of the Mansfield Rule certification process, joining 12 other UK firms – and 160 in the US and Canada – that have signed up to the inclusion initiative.
Evan Cohen Partner 3 November 2022
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Advancing the conversation on climate change – looking back at COP26
COP-26 was an opportunity for states, NGOs, the business community and the public to come together to discuss, debate and develop solutions to the climate crisis.
Janet Whittaker Senior Counsel 4 November 2022
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Responsible sourcing
Action on climate change is a key imperative for us as it not only affects the firm, it also affects our clients and our suppliers. Like many responsible businesses, we have set ambitious near-term science-based targets for 2030 improving our environmental performance and supporting us with our longer-term aim towards net zero.
Louise Zabbar Senior Procurement Manager 9 November 2022
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Rewarding Sustainable Development Goals Award alignment
Our first ever UN Sustainable Development Goals Environment Award is helping the Plan Vivo Foundation achieve emissions reductions of 7 million tonnes of CO2.
Tom Dunn Global Pro Bono and Community Director 10 November 2022
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Developing our people with pro bono work
Our pro bono work, as well as being a global force for good, is instrumental in honing our lawyers’ client skills. David Alfrey is one of our lawyers finding that impactful pro bono work also delivers personal career development.
15 November 2022
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For the good of the public
We expect legal colleagues to carry out at least 50 hours of pro bono work every year as part of their performance and development. Providing access to legal advice and justice to those who would otherwise not afford it is not only the right thing to do, it also improves our capacity to act responsibly.
Pablo Serrano de Haro Global Practice Area Leader for Tax, Pensions and Employment 16 November 2022
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Clifford Chance takes steps to improve accessibility in the office
In celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Global Head of Property Portfolio Nicole Brockleback-Fowler tells us about her role and the steps she is taking to create an accessible workplace for all.
Nicole Brocklebank-Fowler Global Head of Property Portfolio 5 December 2022
Read more about Clifford Chance takes steps to improve accessibility in the office
Clifford Chance makes progress to improve social inclusion and access to the legal sector in the UK
Clifford Chance has climbed from 37th to 29th place in the Social Mobility Employer Index 2022 - the leading authority on employer-led social mobility in the UK.
Cathy Jones Head of Community Outreach 6 December 2022
Read more about Clifford Chance makes progress to improve social inclusion and access to the legal sector in the UK
A call to action
In response to the civil unrest in 2020 following the killing of George Floyd and increased activity by the Black Lives Matter movement, the firm issued a call to action for racial equality to its global community. Partner and co-chair of our US Black & Latino subcommittee Thais Garcia and Senior Associate and co-chair of our UK ethnicity network REACH Roy Appiah discuss.
Thais Garcia Partner 4 January 2021
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Creating space for gender identity conversations
Tate Smith, Junior Legal Support Secretary and part-time law student speaks about the benefits of being openly transgender in the workplace and the need for greater discussion on the topic.
11 January 2021
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Building strong affinity networks in the workplace
Nathan Eastwood, Senior Associate and Network Leader of the Year at the Australian LGBTQ Inclusion Awards, and Singapore partner Lena Ng discuss the importance of developing an active passion for inclusion in our offices.
Lena Ng Partner 18 January 2021
Read more about Building strong affinity networks in the workplace
A targeted approach to inclusion
Ferdinando Poscio, Partner and Head of Arcus in Milan outlines the impact of the firm's global and regional inclusion targets on the Italian team's inclusion work.
Ferdinando Poscio Partner 27 January 2021
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Talking purpose in business and ethics with Ann Cairns, Executive Vice Chair, Mastercard
In his next video for the Talking purpose in business and ethics series, Global Senior Partner Jeroen Ouwehand, in partnership with David Rodin of Principia, talks to Ann Cairns, Executive Vice Chair at Mastercard.
Jeroen Ouwehand Partner 5 February 2021
Read more about Talking purpose in business and ethics with Ann Cairns, Executive Vice Chair, Mastercard
Tackling bullying and harassment in the legal industry
Marianne Pezant, Clifford Chance Partner and member of the Paris Accelerate>>> and Arcus groups and Kieran Pender, Senior Legal Advisor at the International Bar Association (IBA), discuss the findings from the ‘Us Too?’ report and why it’s important to reduce the prevalence of bullying and harassment in the legal sector.
Marianne Pezant Partner 2 February 2021
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Deepening connections with clients through reverse mentoring
As part of a new joint venture with clients of Clifford Chance, Expatriate & Employment Taxes Senior Manager Kalela Mwenya is a reverse mentor on the topic of ethncity to Victoria Jones, Head of EMEA Sales & Trading Compliance at Morgan Stanley.
10 February 2021
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Inclusion – the permanent campaign, where all of us are the campaigners
2020 was a year when inclusion raced to the top of the agendas of companies and firms across the world. The impact of a global pandemic and the global events following the killing of George Floyd have both acted as catalysts for what was already the growing realisation across the business world that inclusion is both a critical value and an economic imperative. This realisation is coupled with an increasing expectation from both employees and customers that companies should commit to delivering inclusion.
Tiernan Brady Global Director of Inclusion 17 February 2021
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Pizza and pronouns
Emma Elias, Responsible Business Manager in Hong Kong, shares her experience of collaborating informally with one of our banking clients to develop a better understanding of LGBT+ terminology and issues, as well as foster more inclusive workplaces.
Emma Elias Responsible Business Manager, Hong Kong 18 February 2021
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Talking purpose in business and ethics with Mark Hoplamazian, CEO Hyatt Group
In his next video for the Talking purpose in business and ethics series, Global Senior Partner Jeroen Ouwehand, in partnership with David Rodin of Principia, talks to Ann Cairns, Executive Vice Chair at Mastercard.
Jeroen Ouwehand Partner 25 February 2021
Read more about Talking purpose in business and ethics with Mark Hoplamazian, CEO Hyatt Group
Advising on inclusion policy
UK Employment partner Alistair Woodland and Hong Kong Head of Employment Anita Lam discuss how we’re advising a range of international clients on inclusion policies, procedures and training, in part as a result of public and employee interest fuelled by external movements such as #Metoo and #BlackLivesMatter.
Alistair Woodland Partner, Co-Head of Global Employment Practice 26 February 2021
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Clifford Chance represents Applicant for a protection visa in landmark High Court appeal regarding Australia's 'complementary protection' regime
In February 2021, the High Court of Australia heard its first appeal involving the 'complementary protection' criterion in the Migration Act 1958 (Cth).
3 March 2021
Read more about Clifford Chance represents Applicant for a protection visa in landmark High Court appeal regarding Australia's 'complementary protection' regime
Fighting voter suppression of minority groups
Counsel Patrick Jackson discusses how the firm is partnering to protect the rights and interests of ethnic minorities in the US.
Patrick Jackson Partner 1 March 2021
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Challenging anti-LGBT stunt in Poland
While support for gay rights has grown in Poland, same-sex marriages and civil unions are not legal and threats against the LGBT+ community continue to exist in many parts of the country. In 2019 Clifford Chance campaigned against pro-government newspaper Gazeta Polska’s plans to attach “LGBT-free zone” stickers to one of their issues. Partner Marcin Cieminski and Advocate Sylwia Gregorczyk explain why it was important to do so.
Marcin Ciemiński Partner 2 March 2021
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Campaigning for the right to asylum
David Boyd, Head of Pro Bono for UK and Ireland, discusses the impact of legal aid cuts on the asylum process and how law firms can help to ensure those facing persecution are welcomed in the UK.
David Boyd Head of Pro Bono for UK & Ireland 3 March 2021
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Choosing to Challenge with Clifford Chance
This International Women's Day, Senior Associate Amy Bird reflects on our #ChooseToChallenge campaign and the importance of its core message in light of the past year. She also highlights a few positive ambitions for change in her role as co-chair of the UK chapter of our global gender parity group, Accelerate>>>.
Amy Bird Director - Employment 8 March 2021
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Helping businesses to implement diverse supplier programmes
In the EU, businesses continue to face barriers to promoting gender-inclusiveness in their supply chains. Senior Associate Amélie Lavenir and Associate Josh Kennion discuss Clifford Chance's partnership with the Women's Forum and their Guide for Positive Action in supply chains.
Josh Kennion Lawyer 30 March 2021
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50 years of women in the Clifford Chance partnership
This month, Clifford Chance is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the firm’s first female partner in London, Rosalind Bax. Rosalind was one of the first women in Britain to achieve this status in a City law firm.
Laura Hasson Senior Associate 27 April 2021
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Talking purpose in business and ethics with Kenny Nwosu, CEO Norsad Bank
In his next video for the Talking purpose in business and ethics series, Global Senior Partner Jeroen Ouwehand, in partnership with David Rodin of Principia, talks to Ann Cairns, Executive Vice Chair at Mastercard.
Jeroen Ouwehand Partner 14 May 2021
Read more about Talking purpose in business and ethics with Kenny Nwosu, CEO Norsad Bank
Increasing access to justice for refugees
Sam Harris, Managing Associate of Clifford Chance's Refugee Support Scheme, discusses the scheme's important work assisting individuals seeking asylum in the UK.
Sam Harris Senior Associate 19 May 2021
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Adopting a theory of change to drive impact in pro bono and philanthropy
In the first of a series of blog articles about developing effective pro bono practices, Pro Bono Director Tom Dunn explores how to devise strategies for achieving impact in pro bono work.
Tom Dunn Global Pro Bono and Community Director 16 June 2021
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Clifford Chance expands participation in Mansfield Rule certification process
The Mansfield Rule is a 12-month certification process that measures whether law firms have considered at least 30% women, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities, and senior lateral positions.
Tiernan Brady Global Director of Inclusion 28 June 2021
Read more about Clifford Chance expands participation in Mansfield Rule certification process
Talking purpose in business and ethics with Franz Paasche, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Paypal
As part of our business and ethics video series, Global Senior Partner Jeroen Ouwehand and CEO of Principia Advisory David Rodin talks to Franz Paasche about the challenges they face regarding the use of the PayPal platform, the difficult decisions they have had to make and why living by their values and ensuring their walk matches their talk is so important.
Jeroen Ouwehand Partner 12 July 2021
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Introducing a new carbon action module to measure Clifford Chance's supply chain
In year two of its sustainable procurement programme, and to support is ambition of becoming net zero, Clifford Chance is working with EcoVadis to introduce a new carbon action module to its supply chain.
Louise Zabbar Senior Procurement Manager 19 July 2021
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Pro bono and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (the SDGs)
Pro Bono Director Tom Dunn explores the contribution that a SDG-framework can make to the development and impact of law firm pro bono practices and, more widely, to shaping the contribution that other businesses are making in their communities.
Tom Dunn Global Pro Bono and Community Director 26 July 2021
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Celebrating 15 years of Arcus Pride Art
2021 marks the 15th consecutive year of Arcus Pride Art, the largest corporate-supported exhibition of art works by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT+) and supporter artists. Pride Art is one of our flagship inclusion events.
Kane Dowsett Head of Brand, Communications & Marketing - Americas 1 September 2021
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Driving positive social change in the workplace with #WeThe15
Global Director of Inclusion Tiernan Brady discusses the International Paralympics Committee's new human rights campaign #WeThe15, which aims to put disability right at the heart of the inclusion agenda.
Tiernan Brady Global Director of Inclusion 2 September 2021
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Using legal skills to make a difference
New York insurance associate Ben Lee talks about his recent efforts to help a translator and his family flee Afghanistan.
21 September 2021
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Clifford Chance collaborates on the Afghanistan Country of Origin Information Repository
A collaboration between Clifford Chance, Asylos, the Asylum Research Centre and Refugee Action.
David Boyd Head of Pro Bono for UK & Ireland 7 October 2021
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Clifford Chance renews its global partnership with The Women's Forum for the Economy & Society
The Women's Forum for the Economy & Society (WEFCOS) is a leading platform featuring women’s voices, views and values on major social and economic issues. The partnership, which was first signed in November 2019, underscores the firm's commitment to showcasing the talent and creativity of women while fostering international cooperation.
Katrin Schallenberg Partner 15 October 2021
Read more about Clifford Chance renews its global partnership with The Women's Forum for the Economy & Society
Working towards a #SheCovery with the Women's Forum
As a member of the Women's Forum, in October Clifford Chance attended its G20 Italy conference which aimed to promote dialogue between public and private international decision-makers and develop concrete proposals and solutions under the theme of a #Shecovery envisioning women as key-players in facing the new global challenges.
Ines Teixeira Lawyer 25 October 2021
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Being a positive force for change
Global Managing Partner Matthew Layton and Global Senior Partner Jeroen Ouwehand reflect on our unique ability as conveners to influence change for the better.
Jeroen Ouwehand Partner 1 November 2021
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A focus on... wellbeing
Already highly valued, wellbeing has been catapulted to the top of Clifford Chance's agenda by Covid-19. New York Partner Sarah Jones and Delhi General Manager Venu Yadavalli discuss why it’s likely to stay there.
Sarah Jones Global Head of Corporate 16 November 2021
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Following the science
The private sector has a crucial role to play in the road to Net Zero and Clifford Chance is no exception. As a responsible business, it is imperative we act now.
9 November 2021
Read more about Following the science
Clifford Chance collaborates with the Office for Veterans' Affairs and supports veteran employment
Our Armed Forces Network has been working to encourage veteran employment. Recently, we took part in a workshop run by the Cabinet Office to formulate the Strategic Action Plan for the Office for Veterans' Affairs for 2022 to 2024. We have also been advocating for businesses to support veterans through our global Armed Forces Network and by liaising with other companies with the same aim.
James Law Senior Associate 14 November 2021
Read more about Clifford Chance collaborates with the Office for Veterans' Affairs and supports veteran employment
A focus on... our Code of Conduct
Global Partner for Talent Chinwe Odimba-Chapman and Warsaw Head of HR Agnieszka Kupiec discuss how our Code of Conduct underpins the way we act as a responsible business.
Chinwe Odimba -Chapman Global People and Talent Partner 10 November 2021
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A framework for responsibility
Chief Risk & Compliance Officer
Bahare Heywood, Head of International
Compliance Vanessa Hui and Regional
Managing Partner, Germany Peter Dieners
on how our Compliance Framework helps
us act responsibly and with integrity.
Bahare Heywood Chief Risk and Compliance Officer 12 November 2021
Read more about A framework for responsibility
Big data ethics - charting a course through your data lake
With big data comes big responsibility, and sometimes unintended or unforeseen risks. Leah Beckbridge, Data Privacy Specialist, shares some insights for organisations on how to use AI in more ethical ways and avoid some pitfalls.
15 November 2021
Read more about Big data ethics - charting a course through your data lake
A focus on... our route to Net Zero
Partner Nadia Kalic and Senior Procurement Manager Louise Zabbar talk to Communications & Marketing Specialist and member of our Environment Board Asna Khan about the firm’s ambitious journey towards becoming Net Zero and what it means for our people, our clients and our suppliers.
Nadia Kalic Partner, Global Co-Head of the Energy & Resources Sector 3 November 2021
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The future of learning
The Clifford Chance Academy provides valuable learning and development opportunities for our people, honing key skills that align with the firm’s strategic objectives.These skills, which benefit the firm and the individual, include commercial awareness, client relationships, collaboration and innovation and provide the focus for most of the Academy’s core programmes.
19 November 2021
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A focus on... maximising our impact
Forming global strategic partnerships with non-governmental organisations is one of the fundamental ways in which we create sustainable change.
Amsterdam Partner Angela McEwan and Frankfurt Associate Alexander Suttor discuss the contribution our relationship with Human Rights Watch has on the NGO’s work and what it means for our people.
Angela McEwan Partner 25 November 2021
Read more about A focus on... maximising our impact
Creating sustainable change with Cornerstone
Our flagship Cornerstone initiative is already creating lasting, sustainable change in Rwanda. And there’s more in the pipeline.
Tom Dunn Global Pro Bono and Community Director 22 November 2021
Read more about Creating sustainable change with Cornerstone
A pioneering platform for pro bono
Pro bono work is an integral part of our culture and helps us widen access to justice, education and finance, meaning we can genuinely make a difference in the communities in which we operate. By making it easier for our people to find and volunteer for pro bono opportunities, we can have an even greater impact where it is needed most.
22 November 2021
Read more about A pioneering platform for pro bono
My Lived Experience: Emily Hier
Understanding the lived experience of our colleagues is central to our disability inclusion strategy. It raises awareness of visible and non-visible disabilities and debunks the myths around the umbrella term of ‘disability’. To mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we have created a series – ‘Enable: My Lived Experience’ where we speak to our colleagues to find out about their own, or family members’, lived experience to discover what it means for them in their day-to-day role at Clifford Chance. This week we speak to Emily Hier.
29 November 2021
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My Lived Experience: Teresa Reja
Understanding the lived experience of our colleagues is central to our disability inclusion strategy. It raises awareness of visible and non-visible disabilities and debunks the myths around the umbrella term of ‘disability’. To mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we have created a series – ‘Enable: My Lived Experience’ where we speak to our colleagues to find out about their own, or family members’, lived experience to discover what it means for them in their day-to-day role at Clifford Chance. This week we speak to Teresa Reja.
12 December 2021
Read more about My Lived Experience: Teresa Reja
My Lived Experience: Dana Meijler
Understanding the lived experience of our colleagues is central to our disability inclusion strategy. It raises awareness of visible and non-visible disabilities and debunks the myths around the umbrella term of ‘disability’. To mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we have created a series – ‘Enable: My Lived Experience’ where we speak to our colleagues to find out about their own, or family members’, lived experience to discover what it means for them in their day-to-day role at Clifford Chance. This week we speak to Dana Meijler.
5 December 2021
Read more about My Lived Experience: Dana Meijler
My Lived Experience: Julie McGowan
Understanding the lived experience of our colleagues is central to our disability inclusion strategy. It raises awareness of visible and non-visible disabilities and debunks the myths around the umbrella term of ‘disability’. To mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we have created a series – ‘Enable: My Lived Experience’ where we speak to our colleagues to find out about their own, or family members’, lived experience to discover what it means for them in their day-to-day role at Clifford Chance. This week we speak to Julie McGowan.
30 December 2021
Read more about My Lived Experience: Julie McGowan
Why is gender inclusion important?
As part of our International Women's Day 2020 celebrations, we asked a selection of our change-makers across four offices in Europe, America and Asia Pacific about their role models and why gender inclusion is important to them.
Marianne Pezant Partner 26 February 2020
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What is your #EachforEqual gender parity focus for the next year?
We asked a selection of our change-makers across four offices in Europe, America and Asia Pacific about their gender parity focus for the next year, and what they want to see achieved in the next decade, as part of our celebrations for International Women's Day 2020.
Marianne Pezant Partner 23 March 2020
Read more about What is your #EachforEqual gender parity focus for the next year?
Topic guides for refugee charities
Led by Anna Simpson, Clifford Chance is working with refugee charities in producing ‘topic guides’ relating to gender persecution in five countries. The guides are being drafted by a team of trainees. Refugee charities will use them when assisting women fleeing persecution who are seeking asylum in the UK.
Tom Dunn Global Pro Bono and Community Director 2 March 2020
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Housing representation for minorities
Here we bring you the details of M.J. Yoon and Christina Profestas’ work representing Ms. Broadies Key-Byas, a disabled minority woman who was the target and victim of one of many deed theft scams plaguing gentrifying neighbourhoods in New York City.
Christina Profestas Associate 2 March 2020
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Tackling gender-based violence in the Pacific Islands
Here we bring you details of Emily Goddard and Sam Harris’ work in support of the International Center for Advocates Against Discrimination (ICAAD) in tackling gender-based violence (GBV) in the Pacific Islands.
Emily Goddard Senior Associate 2 March 2020
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Thank you to our gender parity changemakers
With our #EachforEqual campaign, Clifford Chance has been celebrating International Women's Day across the whole of March. One of our most impactful initiatives has been recognising our role models within the firm, and seeing just how many of our people inspire others every day and many different ways.
7 April 2020
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#KindnessMatters: A message from our Mental Health First Aiders
Our Mental Health First Aiders share random acts of kindness they've seen or experienced during lockdown to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week 2020 in the UK.
20 May 2020
Read more about #KindnessMatters: A message from our Mental Health First Aiders
Why I'm an ally
As part of our #VirtualPride celebrations, say 'allo to LGBT+ ally Andrew Beasley, Regional Director for the Innovation Programme in Asia Pacific.
Andrew Beasley Regional Programme Director, Asia Pacific 25 June 2020
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Why do we need allies?
Now more than ever we're reminded of the importance of being an active ally – and that this applies to the many minority groups that make our firm so unique. Tiernan Brady, our Global Head of Inclusion, talks about why allies are so important.
Tiernan Brady Global Director of Inclusion 19 June 2020
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Remote working tips from counsel Alhassane Barry
With Clifford Chance offices across the globe working remotely, our colleagues have been sharing their remote working setups, what they're doing to maintain their mental heath and wellbeing, and how they've been staying in touch with colleagues. Next, we speak to Alhassane Barry, counsel in our Dubai office.
27 July 2020
Read more about Remote working tips from counsel Alhassane Barry
What does it mean to be a responsible business in uncertain times?
Reflecting on the last year, Global Managing Partner Matthew Layton and Global Senior Partner Jeroen Ouwehand discuss what it means to be a responsible business in uncertain times.
Jeroen Ouwehand Partner 28 September 2020
Read more about What does it mean to be a responsible business in uncertain times?
Remote working tips from Inclusion, Diversity & Wellbeing Specialist Leana Coopoosamy
With Clifford Chance offices across the globe working remotely, our colleagues have been sharing their remote working setups, what they're doing to maintain their mental heath and wellbeing, and how they've been staying in touch with colleagues. Next, we speak to Inclusion, Diversity & Wellbeing Specialist Leana Coopoosamy.
21 October 2020
Read more about Remote working tips from Inclusion, Diversity & Wellbeing Specialist Leana Coopoosamy
What does Black History Month mean to me?
In an episode of the Clifford Chance Careers Podcast's Celebrating Culture podcast series, we hear from Danielle Douglas, Senior Procurement Manager, and Roy Appiah, Senior Associate, in conversation with Ebun Soyinka, Global Marketing and Employer Brand Specialist, about what Black History Month means to them.
Danielle Douglas Head of Procurement 30 October 2020
Read more about What does Black History Month mean to me?
The impact of our global shift to agile working
Asia Pacific was the first of our regions to face an unprecedented shift to extensive agile working, both as a result of the public demonstrations in Hong Kong and the onset of the global coronavirus pandemic. Partner Geraint Hughes and Communications Manager Pia Pialorsi discuss their experiences and what they’ve learned.
Pia Pialorsi External Communications Lead 10 November 2020
Read more about The impact of our global shift to agile working
Global Senior Partner Jeroen Ouwehand speaks about tackling climate change at Green Horizon Summit
Global Senior Partner Jeroen Ouwehand spoke at the Green Horizon Summit about the link between law and climate change. Delivering the opening remarks virtually, Jeroen outlined the significant role lawyers will play in tackling climate change, as firms help their clients to "navigate the conflicting laws and regulations across jurisdictions and to anticipate policy and regulatory changes including in the area of green finance".
Jeroen Ouwehand Partner 13 November 2020
Read more about Global Senior Partner Jeroen Ouwehand speaks about tackling climate change at Green Horizon Summit
How remote working is shaping the future of our firm
Extensive remote working has prompted us to evolve traditional working habits, develop new styles of leadership and cultivate a new sense of community. New York Associate Neha Patel and Regional Managing Partner for the Middle East Mohammed Al-Shukairy discuss recent experiences in their regions.
Mo Al-Shukairy Managing Partner 17 November 2020
Read more about How remote working is shaping the future of our firm
Pronouns in e-mail signatures – what's the need?
Global Inclusion Specialist Georgina Court writes on why including pronouns in e-mail signatures is practical and sensible as well as good for inclusion.
19 November 2020
Read more about Pronouns in e-mail signatures – what's the need?
Why is our focus on human rights more important now than ever before?
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the protection of human rights and civil liberties has been even more important than ever before. Brussels based Partner Dorothée Vermeiren and Prague based Senior Associate Jan Dobrý discuss the firm’s work with global criminal justice watchdog, Fair Trials.
Jan Dobrý Counsel 23 November 2020
Read more about Why is our focus on human rights more important now than ever before?
The environmental impact of the Covid-19 lockdown
The Covid-19 lockdown has had a significant impact on the way that we operate, highlighting positive changes we can all make in future. Regional Chief Operating Officer for Asia Pacific Alan Corr and Amsterdam Partner Liesbeth Buiter discuss the positive practices lockdown has uncovered for them.
Liesbeth Buiter Partner 3 December 2020
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Clifford Chance supports Culture Prioritaire, working to maximise the academic and professional success of young students from underprivileged backgrounds
Since cultural and home-life backgrounds play decisive roles in the academic and professional success of students, Clifford Chance is proud to support 'Culture Prioritaire', an organisation whose objective is to support students from challenging socioeconomic situations and increase equal opportunities.
Katrin Schallenberg Partner 3 December 2020
Read more about Clifford Chance supports Culture Prioritaire, working to maximise the academic and professional success of young students from underprivileged backgrounds
Accelerate>>> the Need for Speed
Our gender parity group Accelerate>>> marks its second birthday this week, growing from the beginnings of an idea to a truly global network with buy-in from all offices, 11 active country chapters, and seeing co-founder Alice Jefferis take the #33 spot on the global HERoes Women Role Model List 2020 (100 Future Women Leaders). Here, Alice reflects on an instrumental two years.
Alice Jefferis Director – Fund Finance 4 December 2020
Read more about Accelerate>>> the Need for Speed
Clifford Chance increases efforts to eliminate gendered language in legal drafting internationally
The words and language we use matter greatly. They send a signal of our values and can have both a positive and negative impact on others and on our culture. Removing gendered language from our communications is a subtle but impactful way of demonstrating what we stand for.
Tiernan Brady Global Director of Inclusion 9 December 2020
Read more about Clifford Chance increases efforts to eliminate gendered language in legal drafting internationally
Measuring the impact of our human rights work
In honour of International Human Rights Day on 10 December, we spoke to people around the Clifford Chance global network about their pro bono human rights work and the impact it is having to help people to secure access to their basic human rights.
Sylwia Gregorczyk - Abram Advocate 10 December 2020
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Clifford Chance to launch new business ethics and purpose video interview series
2020 has been the year that has made business leaders across the globe look closely at the true meaning of 'Purpose' and rethink the practice of good ethics. The world's focus on economic, social and racial issues and inequalities has shifted up a gear, and how businesses are responding is subject to ever greater scrutiny.
Jeroen Ouwehand Partner 11 December 2020
Read more about Clifford Chance to launch new business ethics and purpose video interview series
Talking purpose in business and ethics with Alan Jope, Unilever
Over the coming months we will be sharing the thoughts and insights of senior business leaders on what purpose means to them, what drives ethical decision making and what challenges we will be facing as we come out of the crisis of the past year. Today we kick off with the first interview with Alan Jope, CEO of Unilever.
Jeroen Ouwehand Partner 16 December 2020
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Introducing Clifford Chance Enable, our disability network
Our UK disability network has recently rebranded from the Disability Action Group to Enable, with an aim to support colleagues with a disability, long term injury or condition, or workplace adjustment to thrive at Clifford Chance, and to provide a safe, inclusive and open environment for them to share their lived experiences.
Simon Sinclair Partner 18 December 2020
Read more about Introducing Clifford Chance Enable, our disability network
Setting new standards for the legal industry
To be a leading global law firm, we need to be the leaders in inclusion. There is no doubt that it is the richness of our diversity that drives our success and makes us who we are as a global firm. That diversity needs to be nurtured and celebrated and must remain a business imperative.
22 December 2020
Read more about Setting new standards for the legal industry
Welcome to campaigning
We faced a pandemic that did not impact everyone equally. Rather, it was proof that people experience reality very differently. We saw people from ethnic minorities with significantly worse health outcomes, women disproportionately facing choices they shouldn’t have to make between career and family, and LGBT+ people moving back home and back to marginalisation. The world showed us how important it is that we need to stand together.
Tiernan Brady Global Director of Inclusion 31 December 2020
Read more about Welcome to campaigning
More
insights
Clifford Chance
Clifford Chance signs up to the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
80% of disabilities, conditions or chronic illnesses are not visibly apparent. Some people find it hard to understand and believe that someone with a non-apparent (sometimes referred to as 'hidden' or 'invisible') disability or condition genuinely needs support.
Matt Taylor Partner, Head of UK PropTech 22 February 2024
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A responsible approach to secure generative AI tool adoption
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming legal services and the wider services industry. As a global law firm, we are committed to maintain the highest professional standards around our use of AI, that protects our clients, adheres to the law, and enhances the quality of our legal services to our clients.
Anthony Vigneron Director, Legal Technology Solutions 9 September 2024
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Championing mental health across the firm
We recognise that our high-performance environment demands a lot from our people, and that it is important to protect and enhance wellbeing to enable everyone to be the best they can be at work and beyond.
Charles Alberts Global Head of Wellbeing and People Experience 9 September 2024
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A collaborative approach to inclusion
Integral to our values, at Clifford Chance we believe being inclusive is the right thing to do and is what our clients demand. Our commitment to the issue is recognised by some significant clients and during FY24 we worked alongside Amazon, HSBC, and many other banks and corporates, as well as financial investor clients, on initiatives that further our shared inclusion agendas.
Tiernan Brady Global Director of Inclusion 9 September 2024
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Long-term support for Rwanda’s genocide survivors
As Rwanda marked 30 years since the genocide on 7 April 2024, one aim of our Cornerstone initiative – leave a legacy – is being realised by a project providing psychological and employability support to survivors and their children.
Tom Dunn Global Pro Bono and Community Director 9 September 2024
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Pro bono partnership for respect, equality and safety
We are committed to inclusion, and support My Sisters' Place, a non-profit in White Plains, New York State that works to end domestic violence and human trafficking.
Evan Cohen Partner 9 September 2024
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Sustainability goals for our global real estate portfolio
We have set ambitious sustainability goals. Our offices account for a large proportion of our emissions, and we are committed to making them as sustainable as possible.
Nicole Brocklebank-Fowler Global Head of Property Portfolio 9 September 2024
Read more
Practical support for Net Zero ambition
As a founding member of the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance (NZLA), Clifford Chance has an active involvement with the collective participating in the United Nations Race to Zero campaign. Thirty-five law firms, with a combined workforce of around 200,000, form part of the growing membership of the NZLA.
Roger Leese Partner 9 September 2024
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Working together on our climate change risks
Our Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework is designed to identify key risks affecting our business and address their likelihood, their impact and how quickly they may materialise. During FY24, we integrated climate change risk into our risk framework with greater specificity than before.
Bahare Heywood Chief Risk and Compliance Officer 9 September 2024
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Embracing Inclusion: The rule of law and boardroom diversity
Business the world over is placing gender diversity higher up the agenda. It is an increasing demand from all stakeholders, from employees to customers – and is just good business; diverse boards are proven to be more innovative and profitable, and yet female board representation remains stubbornly low.
Floris Van de Bult Partner, Co-Head of Global Employment Practice 8 March 2023
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Clifford Chance advises Bikeworks as it opens London's first inclusive Cycle Centre of Excellence
Clifford Chance has provided pro bono support to a community-involved social enterprise, Bikeworks, to open London's first Inclusive Cycling Centre of Excellence in Stratford, London.
Alis (Alisavou) Pay Partner, Co-Head of the Real Estate Sector 3 April 2023
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Sustainable workspaces in Asia Pacific
Sustainability is important for our clients and our people, so we embrace systems and initiatives that support better use of energy resources and reduce CO2 emissions. One way we are doing this is by considering sustainability as part of the process when identifying buildings for new offices.
Vanita Fulford-Brown General Manager, Singapore 5 June 2023
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Key takeaways from Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse's Annual Conference
I heard from stories of bereaved families who have lost their loved ones to fatal domestic abuse and learnt about the work of practitioners in this area, including the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, APCC Joint Lead for Victims, Domestic Homicide Policy Lead at the Home Office, and the Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding.
Aniko Adam Counsel 12 June 2023
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Clifford Chance assists pro bono partner ICAAD on two successful human rights cases in Barbados
Clifford Chance has assisted its pro bono partner International Center for Advocates Against Discrimination (ICAAD) and Barbados NGO Operation Safe Space (OSS) on two important human rights cases in Barbados. Both cases resulted in successful judgments that strengthen human rights protections in Barbados.
Sam Harris Senior Associate 14 July 2023
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Our Responsible Business approach: Future Focus
The financial year 2022/23 was marked by significant disruptions caused by the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, the energy crisis, market volatility and geopolitical tensions.
Charles Adams Global Managing Partner 13 September 2023
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Responsible Tech: Advancement for all
In a world driven by rapid technology development, it is critical that adoption of new tools and the way they are developed are guided by clear principles and done in a safe and responsible way. We have a long track record of helping our clients navigate these complex challenges and, through our own community programmes, of making tech more inclusive and diverse.
Dessislava Savova Partner, Head of Continental Europe Tech Group 20 September 2023
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Portal boosts pro bono uptake at Clifford Chance
After its successful launch in the US, we have rolled out Paladin, the online portal for pro bono and volunteering opportunities, to our people in the UK, continental Europe and the Middle East.
Octavio Canseco Abogado 20 November 2023
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Raising awareness through storytelling: our Enable affinity group Our Enable network seeks to create the right culture and environment for colleagues with a disability, long-term injury or condition to succeed and ensure they have the equality of opportunity and experience. The network creates opportunities for colleagues to celebrate diversity and discuss inclusion topics, as exemplified by our People in Law 2022 award-winning Enable: My Lived Experience series. 4 December 2023 Read more
Clifford Chance's Global Virtual Internships tap an appetite for learning
Since launch, the programme has provided far reaching access to world-class development resources that clearly tapped an appetite for learning; we have received over 150,000 enrolments from students from more than 1,300 universities and 143 countries.
Sarah Langton Global Head of Talent Acquisition 19 December 2023
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Powering the Future: Clean hydrogen boosts the energy transition
New technology and government incentives
are boosting clean energy and driving a greater
demand for high-end legal capabilities steeped in
the sector. These capabilities become increasingly
important when production scales in ways never
achieved before. A case in point is our advice
to the US Department of Energy on a landmark
clean hydrogen project in Utah, US.
David Evans Senior Counsel 1 December 2023
Read more
Advancing networking with bubbles
London Associates Deon Fang and Golshan Mahdi-Nau welcome a new UK inclusion initiative to help ethnic minority colleagues progress within the firm.
Golshan Mahdi-Nau Senior Associate 10 February 2022
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Award-winning reverse mentoring
Taking the classical approach to mentoring and turning it on its head has moved diversity issues further up the agenda. Germany’s Reverse Mentoring programme champion Anna Thwaites explains how it is helping foster a more inclusive culture at the firm.
Anna Thwaites Partner 9 February 2022
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Dismantling systemic racism, protecting multiracial democracy
After the murder of George Floyd in May 2020 and the turbulent summer that followed, Clifford Chance joined nearly 300 other US and global firms to form a national network dedicated to advancing racial equity in the law. Law Firm Antiracism Alliance board member Jeff Berman talks about the past 18 months’ work and the challenges that lie ahead.
Jeff Berman Partner 17 February 2022
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Expanding our Race Equality and Celebrating Heritage network
Expanding our racial equality network across Continental Europe reaffirms our commitment to creating a firm that’s more reflective of the society in which we operate. Partner and Chair of our Race Equality and Celebrating Heritage (REACH) network in Continental Europe Mustapha Mourahib discusses the importance of the network in the region and how clients can get involved.
Mustapha Mourahib Office Managing Partner, Casablanca, and Co-Head of the Africa Group 14 February 2022
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A plan for reconciliation
Associate Tegan Kelly is a Torres Strait Islander woman in our Sydney office and Chair of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group, which devised and now administers the firm’s plan for reconciliation with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia.
Tegan Kelly Associate 7 February 2022
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Inclusion education
Enable, our vision and strategy to raise awareness of visible and non-visible disabilities and the diversity of working needs and to debunk the myths and stigmas surrounding the term ‘disability’, has evolved significantly. Co-chair of Enable Ashika Patel and Translation Services Officer Teresa Reja explain why the work Enable is delivering is important to them and the firm.
Michelle Williams Partner 3 February 2022
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Partnering for progress
How can mentoring programmes contribute to diversity and inclusion? Bank of America mentors Shamir Malviya and Sarah Chiu discuss this with their mentee, Clifford Chance Singapore Associate Allison Tan.
Allison Tan Senior Associate 28 February 2022
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Clifford Chance celebrates Black History Month with Dicta creator Harbani Ahuja
In celebration of Black History Month in the US, Clifford Chance hosted a virtual conversation between counsel Patrick Jackson in São Paulo and International Center for Advocates Against Discrimination's (ICAAD) inaugural artist-in-residence, Dicta creator and public interest attorney Harbani Ahuja.
Patrick Jackson Partner 20 February 2022
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Clifford Chance advises the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre as it opens its first community space
Clifford Chance has provided wide-ranging pro bono support to the new London LGBTQ+ Community Centre in Blackfriars, Central London. The Centre provides a safe, inclusive, sober, intergenerational, and intersectional space for the LGBTQ+ community.
Matt Fairclough Regional Practice Area Leader for Global Financial Markets in the UK 18 February 2022
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Reverse Mentoring: 2022 update from the Paris office
Our Reverse Mentoring initiative was launched in Paris in 2020 to encourage and foster an ever more inclusive working environment. For two years, the project has enabled several partners, counsel, lawyers and members of Paris' senior business professionals to discover the experience of a more junior colleague (or one with a different background) within the office and to see how this might differ from their own lived experience.
Delphine Siino Courtin Partner 7 March 2022
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An exhibition of pride
Since its launch 15 years ago, our Arcus Pride Art event has grown to be one of the biggest corporate exhibitions of LGBTQ+ art in the world. Arcus member Kane Dowsett explains how it promotes inclusivity at Clifford Chance and beyond.
Kane Dowsett Head of Brand, Communications & Marketing - Americas 4 March 2022
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Using data to deliver
Global Partner for Talent Chinwe Odimba-Chapman and Senior Associate Florence Wong discuss the importance of data collection in furthering inclusion.
Florence Wong Senior Associate 9 March 2022
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Being an ambassador for change - the Clifford Chance way
Amy Bird, co-chair of the UK chapter of Clifford Chance's Gender Parity Network Accelerate>>> (and a senior associate in the London Employment team, and a member of the firm's ESG Board) marks International Women's Day 2022.
Amy Bird Director - Employment 8 March 2022
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Working to Support the Victims of Torture
Ahead of the UN's International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on 26 June, Gareth Dray, a Senior Associate, discusses Clifford Chance's work with Redress and the Convention against Torture Initiative (CTI) on the Anti-Torture Standards in Common Law Africa report.
Gareth Dray Legal Director, M&A 22 June 2022
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Reflections on a transgender asylum case
Partner Jessica Springsteen reflects on a recent transgender asylum case which had a profound effect on her.
Jessica Springsteen Partner 11 July 2022
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Acting responsibly
Our annual report - this year with the theme 'Acting Responsibly' - highlights the progress of Clifford Chance's Responsible Business strategy. It concentrates on the issues that are important to our stakeholders and that have the greatest potential to affect the sustainability and success of the firm.
Jeroen Ouwehand Partner 17 October 2022
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Living by the Code
Launched in 2020, our global Code of Conduct defines our values and the expectations of everyone working in our firm. The Code guides our behaviour with each other, our clients and all our external stakeholders.
Dorothée Vermeiren Partner 25 October 2022
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Delivering on our people’s aspirations and delivering leaders
We only operate at our best when our people do too. And through our Global People Survey, they told us they want more regular feedback and conversations focused on their career and development opportunities. So, we launched the Three Conversations framework to give all colleagues the right opportunities to discuss their individual performance, development, and career aspirations.
Chinwe Odimba -Chapman Global People and Talent Partner 31 October 2022
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Advancing the conversation on climate change – looking back at COP26
COP-26 was an opportunity for states, NGOs, the business community and the public to come together to discuss, debate and develop solutions to the climate crisis.
Janet Whittaker Senior Counsel 4 November 2022
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Responsible sourcing
Action on climate change is a key imperative for us as it not only affects the firm, it also affects our clients and our suppliers. Like many responsible businesses, we have set ambitious near-term science-based targets for 2030 improving our environmental performance and supporting us with our longer-term aim towards net zero.
Louise Zabbar Senior Procurement Manager 9 November 2022
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For the good of the public
We expect legal colleagues to carry out at least 50 hours of pro bono work every year as part of their performance and development. Providing access to legal advice and justice to those who would otherwise not afford it is not only the right thing to do, it also improves our capacity to act responsibly.
Pablo Serrano de Haro Global Practice Area Leader for Tax, Pensions and Employment 16 November 2022
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Clifford Chance makes progress to improve social inclusion and access to the legal sector in the UK
Clifford Chance has climbed from 37th to 29th place in the Social Mobility Employer Index 2022 - the leading authority on employer-led social mobility in the UK.
Cathy Jones Head of Community Outreach 6 December 2022
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A call to action
In response to the civil unrest in 2020 following the killing of George Floyd and increased activity by the Black Lives Matter movement, the firm issued a call to action for racial equality to its global community. Partner and co-chair of our US Black & Latino subcommittee Thais Garcia and Senior Associate and co-chair of our UK ethnicity network REACH Roy Appiah discuss.
Thais Garcia Partner 4 January 2021
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Building strong affinity networks in the workplace
Nathan Eastwood, Senior Associate and Network Leader of the Year at the Australian LGBTQ Inclusion Awards, and Singapore partner Lena Ng discuss the importance of developing an active passion for inclusion in our offices.
Lena Ng Partner 18 January 2021
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A targeted approach to inclusion
Ferdinando Poscio, Partner and Head of Arcus in Milan outlines the impact of the firm's global and regional inclusion targets on the Italian team's inclusion work.
Ferdinando Poscio Partner 27 January 2021
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Tackling bullying and harassment in the legal industry
Marianne Pezant, Clifford Chance Partner and member of the Paris Accelerate>>> and Arcus groups and Kieran Pender, Senior Legal Advisor at the International Bar Association (IBA), discuss the findings from the ‘Us Too?’ report and why it’s important to reduce the prevalence of bullying and harassment in the legal sector.
Marianne Pezant Partner 2 February 2021
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Pizza and pronouns
Emma Elias, Responsible Business Manager in Hong Kong, shares her experience of collaborating informally with one of our banking clients to develop a better understanding of LGBT+ terminology and issues, as well as foster more inclusive workplaces.
Emma Elias Responsible Business Manager, Hong Kong 18 February 2021
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Advising on inclusion policy
UK Employment partner Alistair Woodland and Hong Kong Head of Employment Anita Lam discuss how we’re advising a range of international clients on inclusion policies, procedures and training, in part as a result of public and employee interest fuelled by external movements such as #Metoo and #BlackLivesMatter.
Alistair Woodland Partner, Co-Head of Global Employment Practice 26 February 2021
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Challenging anti-LGBT stunt in Poland
While support for gay rights has grown in Poland, same-sex marriages and civil unions are not legal and threats against the LGBT+ community continue to exist in many parts of the country. In 2019 Clifford Chance campaigned against pro-government newspaper Gazeta Polska’s plans to attach “LGBT-free zone” stickers to one of their issues. Partner Marcin Cieminski and Advocate Sylwia Gregorczyk explain why it was important to do so.
Marcin Ciemiński Partner 2 March 2021
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Campaigning for the right to asylum
David Boyd, Head of Pro Bono for UK and Ireland, discusses the impact of legal aid cuts on the asylum process and how law firms can help to ensure those facing persecution are welcomed in the UK.
David Boyd Head of Pro Bono for UK & Ireland 3 March 2021
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Helping businesses to implement diverse supplier programmes
In the EU, businesses continue to face barriers to promoting gender-inclusiveness in their supply chains. Senior Associate Amélie Lavenir and Associate Josh Kennion discuss Clifford Chance's partnership with the Women's Forum and their Guide for Positive Action in supply chains.
Josh Kennion Lawyer 30 March 2021
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50 years of women in the Clifford Chance partnership
This month, Clifford Chance is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the firm’s first female partner in London, Rosalind Bax. Rosalind was one of the first women in Britain to achieve this status in a City law firm.
Laura Hasson Senior Associate 27 April 2021
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Clifford Chance renews its global partnership with The Women's Forum for the Economy & Society
The Women's Forum for the Economy & Society (WEFCOS) is a leading platform featuring women’s voices, views and values on major social and economic issues. The partnership, which was first signed in November 2019, underscores the firm's commitment to showcasing the talent and creativity of women while fostering international cooperation.
Katrin Schallenberg Partner 15 October 2021
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Working towards a #SheCovery with the Women's Forum
As a member of the Women's Forum, in October Clifford Chance attended its G20 Italy conference which aimed to promote dialogue between public and private international decision-makers and develop concrete proposals and solutions under the theme of a #Shecovery envisioning women as key-players in facing the new global challenges.
Ines Teixeira Lawyer 25 October 2021
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A focus on... wellbeing
Already highly valued, wellbeing has been catapulted to the top of Clifford Chance's agenda by Covid-19. New York Partner Sarah Jones and Delhi General Manager Venu Yadavalli discuss why it’s likely to stay there.
Sarah Jones Global Head of Corporate 16 November 2021
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Clifford Chance collaborates with the Office for Veterans' Affairs and supports veteran employment
Our Armed Forces Network has been working to encourage veteran employment. Recently, we took part in a workshop run by the Cabinet Office to formulate the Strategic Action Plan for the Office for Veterans' Affairs for 2022 to 2024. We have also been advocating for businesses to support veterans through our global Armed Forces Network and by liaising with other companies with the same aim.
James Law Senior Associate 14 November 2021
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A focus on... our route to Net Zero
Partner Nadia Kalic and Senior Procurement Manager Louise Zabbar talk to Communications & Marketing Specialist and member of our Environment Board Asna Khan about the firm’s ambitious journey towards becoming Net Zero and what it means for our people, our clients and our suppliers.
Nadia Kalic Partner, Global Co-Head of the Energy & Resources Sector 3 November 2021
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A focus on... maximising our impact
Forming global strategic partnerships with non-governmental organisations is one of the fundamental ways in which we create sustainable change.
Amsterdam Partner Angela McEwan and Frankfurt Associate Alexander Suttor discuss the contribution our relationship with Human Rights Watch has on the NGO’s work and what it means for our people.
Angela McEwan Partner 25 November 2021
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Housing representation for minorities
Here we bring you the details of M.J. Yoon and Christina Profestas’ work representing Ms. Broadies Key-Byas, a disabled minority woman who was the target and victim of one of many deed theft scams plaguing gentrifying neighbourhoods in New York City.
Christina Profestas Associate 2 March 2020
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Tackling gender-based violence in the Pacific Islands
Here we bring you details of Emily Goddard and Sam Harris’ work in support of the International Center for Advocates Against Discrimination (ICAAD) in tackling gender-based violence (GBV) in the Pacific Islands.
Emily Goddard Senior Associate 2 March 2020
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Why I'm an ally
As part of our #VirtualPride celebrations, say 'allo to LGBT+ ally Andrew Beasley, Regional Director for the Innovation Programme in Asia Pacific.
Andrew Beasley Regional Programme Director, Asia Pacific 25 June 2020
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What does Black History Month mean to me?
In an episode of the Clifford Chance Careers Podcast's Celebrating Culture podcast series, we hear from Danielle Douglas, Senior Procurement Manager, and Roy Appiah, Senior Associate, in conversation with Ebun Soyinka, Global Marketing and Employer Brand Specialist, about what Black History Month means to them.
Danielle Douglas Head of Procurement 30 October 2020
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The impact of our global shift to agile working
Asia Pacific was the first of our regions to face an unprecedented shift to extensive agile working, both as a result of the public demonstrations in Hong Kong and the onset of the global coronavirus pandemic. Partner Geraint Hughes and Communications Manager Pia Pialorsi discuss their experiences and what they’ve learned.
Pia Pialorsi External Communications Lead 10 November 2020
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How remote working is shaping the future of our firm
Extensive remote working has prompted us to evolve traditional working habits, develop new styles of leadership and cultivate a new sense of community. New York Associate Neha Patel and Regional Managing Partner for the Middle East Mohammed Al-Shukairy discuss recent experiences in their regions.
Mo Al-Shukairy Managing Partner 17 November 2020
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Why is our focus on human rights more important now than ever before?
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the protection of human rights and civil liberties has been even more important than ever before. Brussels based Partner Dorothée Vermeiren and Prague based Senior Associate Jan Dobrý discuss the firm’s work with global criminal justice watchdog, Fair Trials.
Jan Dobrý Counsel 23 November 2020
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The environmental impact of the Covid-19 lockdown
The Covid-19 lockdown has had a significant impact on the way that we operate, highlighting positive changes we can all make in future. Regional Chief Operating Officer for Asia Pacific Alan Corr and Amsterdam Partner Liesbeth Buiter discuss the positive practices lockdown has uncovered for them.
Liesbeth Buiter Partner 3 December 2020
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Accelerate>>> the Need for Speed
Our gender parity group Accelerate>>> marks its second birthday this week, growing from the beginnings of an idea to a truly global network with buy-in from all offices, 11 active country chapters, and seeing co-founder Alice Jefferis take the #33 spot on the global HERoes Women Role Model List 2020 (100 Future Women Leaders). Here, Alice reflects on an instrumental two years.
Alice Jefferis Director – Fund Finance 4 December 2020
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Measuring the impact of our human rights work
In honour of International Human Rights Day on 10 December, we spoke to people around the Clifford Chance global network about their pro bono human rights work and the impact it is having to help people to secure access to their basic human rights.
Sylwia Gregorczyk - Abram Advocate 10 December 2020
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Introducing Clifford Chance Enable, our disability network
Our UK disability network has recently rebranded from the Disability Action Group to Enable, with an aim to support colleagues with a disability, long term injury or condition, or workplace adjustment to thrive at Clifford Chance, and to provide a safe, inclusive and open environment for them to share their lived experiences.
Simon Sinclair Partner 18 December 2020
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