BOOK REVIEW DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION
Edited by Globe Law and Business and The Centre for Legal Leadership
ISBN: 978 1 78742 282 7 (paperback)
978 1 78742 283 4 (ebook)
978 1 78742 284 1 (pdf)
978 1 78742 285 8 (mobi)
Globe Law and Business
Law Firm Management Insights
www.globelawandbusiness.com
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION —
A NEW REPORT FROM GLOBE LAW AND BUSINESS
An appreciation by Elizabeth Robson Taylor of Richmond Green Chambers and Phillip Taylor MBE, Head of Chambers, Reviews Editor, “The Barrister”, and Mediator
Aimed primarily at solicitors — in-house or in private practice — but equally relevant to members of the Bar, this important special report from Globe Law and Business will be of special interest to law firms and all policy makers keen to implement effective and compassionate inclusion and diversity policies within their organisations.
A recent title in Globe’s ‘Law Firm Management Insights’ series, this report emerges as the brilliant result of an impressive collaboration of nine authors, each an expert in diversity issues, each typically revealing a global orientation. The report covers a range of diversity issues, including trans in the legal workspace… social mobility… disability… ethnic diversity… and women in the law.
In the Report’s first chapter, the authors Emma Cusdin and Rachel Reese, note that there are “650,000 trans people in the UK.”
Of this number, the percentage working within the legal profession is not given, as perhaps it is not available. But it would be interesting to find out. Presumably the answer will indicate a significant number. The report is therefore useful in that it comprehensively — in one handy volume — includes such topics as gender, BAME and disability issues as well.
The key message of the report is that it calls for anyone who may — or can— be placed under the above-mentioned categories should be treated with respect. One could add here, that all human beings, in an ideal world, should be so treated, particularly in the workplace where they should expect to be recognised and rewarded for their efforts and where they are entitled to feel safe.
Here is where the report strays into the personal and currently controversial in the matter of non-gender segregated loos, referred to as ‘those troublesome toilets.’ Sorry, guys/gals, but some women out there don’t feel “safe” in these and some men feel uneasy or embarrassed.
The counter argument may persuade some that such attitudes are so antediluvian and non-egalitarian that they should be consigned to the dustbin of history. Well, maybe, in the future. But we who must live in the present need to respect each other’s feelings on such supposedly peripheral matters.
To date, this is probably one of the first and certainly a remarkably succinct and informed examination of the various permutations of inclusion and diversity issues. As its general tone is positive, humane and optimistic, it does set out to recommend sensible solutions to diversity problems.
Bearing in mind that the governing bodies of the legal profession are now, quite rightly, placing increasing emphasis on diversity policies, all legal practitioners should read it. Diversity now involves everybody.
The publication date of this paperback special report is cited as at 18th June 2019.
0 Comments