Inclusion Diversity and Equity Annual Report 2024 Inclusion Diversity and Equity Annual Report 2024

Shaping a better future, together

We are committed to creating a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable Firm, for everyone. We have been working hard to ensure our programs and initiatives are delivering the greatest impact – the stories below demonstrate some of the fantastic work that is being done across the business, and we want to thank everyone who has taken the time to support and advance our ID&E journey. We are proud of our progress and with a continued focus on ID&E, we are confident that our combined efforts will enhance the experiences of our people, the results for our clients and the overall culture of our Firm.

Kirsty Wilson Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Committee Chair

The focus, drive and energy we continue to invest into ID&E gives me confidence that we are committed to building a more inclusive Baker McKenzie. We are shaping a better future, together.

Read overview from Kirsty

Progress, impact and the journey ahead

At Baker McKenzie we want to shape a better future where all our people can succeed and thrive as their best selves. We are also committed to serving our clients with innovative solutions brought about by a diverse talent pool and an inclusive community. Global Chair Milton Cheng, Chief Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Officer Marredia Crawford and Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Committee Chair Kirsty Wilson explain our approach to ID&E and why it continues to be such an important area of focus as we move forward.

Our approach to ID&E focuses on:

We are focused on leading inclusively. Over the past year, we have prioritized helping leaders ensure they understand the behaviors involved in being an active and inclusive leader. Our dedication and commitment comes from the top and it is also lived by our people, who champion ID&E efforts across the globe.

People

Baker McKenzie is focused on making sure everyone has what they need to succeed and recognizes that could be different for each person. We want to ensure members of underrepresented groups have access to sponsorship, mentorship and career development opportunities. Our aim is to advance an inclusive, equitable and diverse culture where all of our people flourish, contribute their ideas and achieve a sense of meaningful wellbeing and purpose at work.

Through the Firm’s coordinated initiatives, investments and collaborations across [45] countries, it embeds ID&E in all it does. We take a holistic approach.

Clients

We partner with our clients on shared ID&E goals from joint mentoring and sponsorship programs to educational seminars and networking to help them progress their own ID&E journey and bring about lasting improvement. Many clients took part in our ID&E Virtual Series as we explored, challenged and celebrated various aspects of ID&E.

Industry

We focus on building the next generation of diverse legal talent and reshaping the profession to be inclusive for all by breaking down structural barriers to progress in the legal industry. We start with recruitment and have updated our strategy on recruiting high-quality future graduate talent to focus more on reaching a wider pool of candidates and to identify those with the right skill set, regardless of their background. We also collaborate with many industry organizations, associations and community initiatives related to ID&E around the world, encouraging our people to lead and act as agents of change within these organizations.

Our progress by numbers

At Baker McKenzie we are focused on increasing diverse representation among our lawyers and business professionals at the most senior levels of the Firm. One of the ways we measure progress is by setting targets to which we align behaviors, build accountability and operationalize change. While we still have more to do, we are pleased that the targets are having an impact across the Firm. With more inclusive and diverse leaders, our teams are more innovative, our decisions are better and our client relationships are more robust.

Progress on Gender

Progress on Race & Ethnicity

Our focus going forward

To meet our goal of gender equality in our most senior ranks, we are proud to have been the first global law Firm to adopt global Gender Aspirational Targets (GATs) of 40:40:20 gender diversity by July 2025. The targets represent 40% women, 40% men and 20% flexible (women, men or non-binary persons), and apply to partners, senior business professionals, Firm committee leadership and candidate pools for senior roles.

Since adoption in 2019, the GATs have been a critical tool to advance senior-level gender diversity and embed equitable processes across the Firm. We have made good progress over the past year but we acknowledge there is much more to do, and so we continue to drive and push forwards towards a more diverse, equitable and inclusive future.

SINCE 40:40:20 GATS WERE LAUNCHED IN JULY 2019…

Gender Aspirational Targets

offices promoted women to equity partner for the first time

offices had an increased percentage of female equity partner

of Global Practice Groups have increased female representation at the equity partner level

75%

of Global Practice Groups have achieved the 40:40:20 Targets

33%

female equity partners globally, a 6% increase since 2019

25%

female partners globally, a 3% increase since 2019

36%

In 2019 our US and Canada offices adopted targets for racial and ethnic minorities to comprise 15% of equity partners; 20% of partners and 15% of leadership by 2025. In addition, our London office launched targets of 14% Black, Asian and minority ethnic representation across every level in the office. We have a detailed global action plan in place to advance our goals and measure our progress every six months.

Progress against targets - US and Canada

In addition, our London office launched targets of 14% Black, Asian and minority ethnic representation across every level in the office by 2025. We have a detailed global action plan in place to advance our goals and measure our progress every six months. We analyse our data across the main census groupings to understand the levels of representation and identify targeted measures to address the specific and unique challenges faced by Black and Brown communities.

As of December 31, 2023

Underrepresented racial and ethnic groups: Partners: 21.47% (target 20%) Underrepresented racial and ethnic groups: Equity Partners: 11.19% (target 15%) Underrepresented racial and ethnic groups: leadership *: 16% (target 15%)

Partners

Target 20%

19%

Equity Partners

Target 15%

12%

Leadership*

Target 15%

16%

To make an impact, we need to be alert, aware and constantly listening. We are making progress and are a long way along the journey, but there is always so much more to do. It is fundamental that everyone feels safe, feels able to be themselves and not hide. We want everyone to be truly authentic, to come to work and thrive. Last year we were pleased to see ever increasing ID&E activity around the world and greater levels of engagement. We’ve had a challenging year, but the way we’ve responded and the focus, drive and energy we continue to invest into ID&E has given me confidence and reassurance that we are committed to building a more inclusive Baker McKenzie. We are shaping a better future, together. We don’t always get it right first time, but we are continually learning. We must keep holding one another accountable and educating each other as we move forward.

Milton Cheng Global Chair, Baker McKenzie

Marredia Crawford Chief Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Officer, Baker McKenzie

Kirsty Wilson Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Committee Chair, Baker McKenzie

Kirsty Wilson Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Committee Chair

Leadership

We focus on accountability for ID&E action at both a Firm level and through individual responsibility. We are passionate about progress, and regularly measure status against our industry leading ID&E targets.

Accountability

We approach ID&E with humility. While we continuously refine, innovate and build on best practices, we know we don’t have all the answers. We know we achieve more and multiply our impact when we collaborate with others.

Humility

Looking ahead to next year we continue to focus across all important areas of gender, race, social mobility, disability and LGBTQ+ so that everyone can be their best selves at work. At the same time, we want to continue to keep a laser focus on improving our representation of women as well as underrepresented racial and ethnic colleagues.

Marredia Crawford was appointed as chief inclusion, diversity & equity officer in September 2023. She has spent the last few months meeting as many people around the global Firm as possible to understand how ID&E is experienced in all corners of the Firm.

Race & Ethnicity Targets

Our focus going forward

We are also focused on strengthening our structures, procedures and policies; they are the foundations to a more inclusive workplace. We need to drive and push forward. What was once market leading in the past may not be now, whether that’s around parental leave, access to benefits for same sex couples or support given to colleagues with disabilities. So we need to evolve and change. But it’s not enough to merely have the right policies in place, people need to know they are there and feel the benefit. That takes a concerted effort over time, and it’s fundamental for our leaders all around the world to be behind this effort.

I want to know what’s top of mind, what is working well and what we could do better. I want to know the impact and value we are creating and where we need to pivot and evolve to ensure we make meaningful progress,’ said Marredia.

Looking ahead to 2024 Marredia is focused on the following key priorities/questions:

How do we better measure our success – to show the progress we are making and the impact on our people, clients and culture.

Find more opportunities to collaborate with others across the Firm – to share best practice and together keep moving forward.

Identify the problems we are trying to solve – be clear and transparent with each other, be open to having difficult conversations and exploring new ways of working together.

We’ve partnered with AbbVie, a leading multinational biopharmaceutical corporation, on a mentoring initiative which champions diverse talent and supports the career development of young lawyers and senior law students from underrepresented communities in Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa.

Advancing career development of students from underrepresented communities in Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa

The first AbbVie & Baker McKenzie Young Lawyers Mentoring Program ran from September to November 2022, providing 25 mentees a unique opportunity to participate in meaningful conversations with our combined team of legal mentors on career progression and developing their specialist knowledge and professional network. The program involved two personal skills training webinars and four one-on-one sessions where mentees interacted with, and learned, from experienced Baker McKenzie and AbbVie lawyers - taking a deeper dive into key considerations and insights on building a career in private practice or in-house counsel. A second program ran from September to November 2023, again with very positive feedback from mentor and mentees alike.

This program provided mentees from diverse backgrounds with a unique opportunity to connect with mentors who are experienced legal professionals. The experience has impacted and enriched mentees' professional and personal development in a significant way. For mentors, it has also provided an opportunity to learn from mentees and give back to our communities." - Mentor and Co-Program Lead, Suzanne Soo from AbbVie

Impact stories

To further our prioritization of mental and emotional wellbeing, we partnered with Heart On My Sleeve in Australia, a leading mental health social movement and services provider, to launch the Real Mates accreditation program. The program allows people of all levels to become volunteer mental health champions to support others going through a tough time. Real Mates are peers who can be a safe space to listen non-judgmentally, guide you to the right resources, and show up when it counts.

Fostering mental and emotional wellbeing in Australia

First-hand experience of witnessing a family member going through a mental health crisis made the issue very tangible and personal to me. Seeing the impact on my loved ones motivated me to do all that I can to support people in the future. “Additionally, males aged 18-30 are vastly overrepresented in statistics for poor mental-health and suicide. Being in this age bracket, unsurprisingly, a large number of my friends are also in this age bracket. This is another factor which has motivated me to learn more, upskill and become a better listener and supporter to my friends, colleagues and peers. As much as I enjoy some banter and being light-hearted, I want to also be someone who can build deeper and more meaningful relationships and foster real conversations with those around me about the things that matter.” Jed Lehmann Associate

I would recommend the mentoring program to others, because of the experience it has given me. I was able to interact with a mentor with commendable experience, who came from a similar background as mine. Not only did she give me the most reassuring advice as to my professional track, but also reminded me of why skill development is necessary. This was also the case with the webinars organized, especially since the presenters came from varied backgrounds. The networking opportunity among the mentees was also an important and ongoing benefit of the program, which encourages me to recommend it to others." - Mentee Safa Navas

Accreditation involves a full day, interactive workshop, followed by an assessment to become an accredited peer supporter. From there, Real Mates have lifetime support from Heart On My Sleeve, including access to an online learning platform, annual refresher training and regular Q&A calls with founder Mitch Wallis. At present, the Australian office has 29 Real Mates spread across Sydney and Melbourne, with the plan to grow this cohort in 2024.

Following on from the launch of Baker McKenzie’s global menopause guidelines, Trench Rossi Watanabe (Baker's associated firm in Brazil) launched their very own menopause guidelines to better support women. They adapted and translated the global guidelines to ensure they fit their local culture.

Supporting women through the menopause in Brazil

We embrace the ideals of inclusion, diversity, and equal opportunities for all people. As we know, people in the perimenopause and menopause make up a significant and growing part of the workforce, with people staying longer in the job market - whether by necessity or choice. Menopause can affect a woman’s working life. People should not have to navigate the menopause in silence, we want to encourage open discussion as we are committed to care for our people at every stage of their lives. “Our local menopause guidelines were created because we want to guarantee an inclusive and safe environment for everyone and remove barriers that can prevent our talented people from thriving and reaching their full potential. We believe that raising awareness of symptoms and providing information on the subject helps to foster an environment where people feel confident enough to raise questions about their symptoms, feel supported and able to explore possible adjustments.” Tatiane Ferreti Director of talent management in Trench Rossi Watanabe*

* In cooperation with Baker & McKenzie in Brazil

We brought together members of our LGBTQ+ community and Firm leadership for our first LGBTQ+ conference, called This Is Us. As part of the conference, we partnered with the youth-led movement GenderCool Project to explore how members of our LGBTQ+ community navigate authenticity and belonging in the workplace. The GenderCool Project is led by influential diversity and inclusion consultant Gearah Goldstein and uses transgender and non-binary youth champions to help educate.

Strengthening the LGBTQ+ community in North America

This conference has reminded me that I do not have to be uncomfortable or afraid to be myself - I am fortunate to work somewhere where I am valued as a lawyer and respected as a member of the LGBTQ+ community." Kiyomi Yamamoto Associate

For the past four years we have partnered with Run Hong Kong, a not-for-profit charity that supports vulnerable refugees, particularly women, to build resilience and nurture self-reliance for a more hopeful future. In Hong Kong, there are nearly 13,000 refugees and asylum seekers, having fled from some of the world’s most serious human rights abuses including war, rape, violence and torture.

Upskilling vulnerable refugees in Hong Kong

We’ve supported Run Hong Kong with both their core sports program, running sports and wellbeing classes and also their professional skills training workshops. Run’s sports program helps refugees access opportunities to hike, run and swim, known to be important ways to rehabilitate from trauma, improve physical and mental strength and build resilience. Run Hong Kong has a special focus on women as they often find it harder to access sport than men due to barriers such as religion, cultural values, past experience of sexual violence, cost of transportation and duties associated with childcare. The education program empowers the refugees to nurture self-reliance through learning new skills and developing professionally to improve their chances of securing stable employment in their future country of resettlement and ultimately building a better future for themselves and their families. This year Baker McKenzie is teaming with Run to deliver a program focused on hospitality skills. It is aimed to provide formal education and practical experience and continue to develop the participants’ entrepreneurial skills. We also help participants write their CV’s and develop soft skills such as interview preparation via mock job fairs.

I feel like I am valuable when I learn new skills. I can do something. Once I learn new skills, the skill will never die. I can stand on my own two feet and support myself." Sophia, One of the refugees

The program, led by Tracy Wut, managing partner for Baker McKenzie's Mainland China and Hong Kong offices, Jannice Lau, partner, Elizabeth Mifsud, special counsel; and Victoria Poon, graduate recruitment manager (all based in the Hong Kong office), was awarded the Firm’s prestigious Paul Rawlinson Award. The award goes to individuals and teams demonstrating they are making a tangible impact improving social mobility.

Advocating for transgender youth in North America

The North America Transgender Rights team (led by Rick Hammett, partner, Elizabeth Boone, knowledge lawyer, M’Alyssa Mecenas, associate and Kerry Miller, director of professional responsibility) won the Firm’s ID&E Impact Awards this year, which celebrates the outstanding achievements of our people who go above and beyond to help drive, enhance, and embed our ID&E agenda, making a positive difference to the lives of others, creating an impact, and showcasing outstanding dedication to our Firm.

I’m motivated to fight for transgender rights because of my daughter, but regardless of whether you have a personal connection to the LGBTQ+ community, we all need to stand up for basic human rights. Our efforts to raise awareness of transgender rights and issues have also included programs to educate ourselves and our colleagues about the experiences of transgender people. Ultimately, the transgender rights team is motivated by the power of ID&E to grow our capacities for empathy and connection.” Kerry Miller, Director of professional responsibility

As the Department of Justice has just reminded states' Attorneys General, denial of medically-necessary care is a violation of the Constitution and federal law. As our amicus brief outlines, it is not only unconstitutional but unconscionable, making parents choose between denying their children the care on which they rely, which could have irreversible negative health outcomes, including risk of death, or be forced to leave the state, effectively becoming refugees." David Brown, Legal director at Transgender Legal Defense and Education

It was incredible to have the opportunity to meaningfully advocate for the rights of transgender people, as a member of the LGBTQ community. I hope we can all roll up our sleeves together for transgender equality, because there’s so much more work to be done. M’Alyssa Mecanas, Senior associate

We partnered with the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund to advocate for members of the transgender community in Texas. The Transgender Legal Defense & Education fund is a non-profit organization whose mission is to end discrimination and achieve equality for transgender people, particularly those in our most vulnerable communities. Together we submitted what’s known as an amicus brief, a brief to petition the Texas Supreme Court to block the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services from investigating and criminalizing parents who work with medical professionals to provide their transgender children with medically necessary gender-affirming care. By uplifting the diverse perspectives and experiences of trans youth and their families, we helped secure a victory and successfully claimed that these recent directives were issued without proper authority, in violation of the Texas Administrative Procedures Act, the separation of powers requirements of the Texas Constitution, and the constitutional rights of transgender youth and their parents.

The NA Transgender Rights team pushes back against the growing anti-LGBTQ+ narrative, while continuing our legacy of challenging discrimination against LGBTQ+ people across the world. The amicus briefs with the Transgender Legal Defense Fund lifted the voices of families of trans youth who would otherwise be destroyed by including transgender supportive care into the definition of abuse and neglect in Texas. It was a triumphant effort in the face of the national attack on trans people and their families.” Melinda Phelan, Partner and Chair, North America

Funding LGBTQ+ activism around the world

GiveOut, which was founded five years ago, is led by Baker McKenzie alumnus Rupert Abbott as a platform which enables individuals and businesses to support the LGBTQ+ movement. GiveOut pools the donations they receive to provide grants to LGBTQ+ organizations around the world, ensuring that they have more of the resources they need to defend LGBTQ+ communities, tackle inequalities and campaign for lasting change. Since starting, GiveOut has raised £1.7 million, and helped more than 40 organizations around the world. One of the ways Baker McKenzie is supporting GiveOut is by signing up to their Pride With Purpose campaign, where businesses are asked to mark Pride by supporting LGBTQ+ activists and their organizations defending LGBTQ+ communities and campaigning for equality in the most difficult places to be LGBTQ+. The Firm is also proud to be sponsoring the City for LGBT+ live crowdfunding event. City for LGBT+ is a live event bringing together the community and corporate allies for a fun, impactful evening of food, drinks, networking, engaging speakers and the opportunity to meet activists from around the world who are advancing LGBTQ+ rights. Find out more about GiveOut here

Baker McKenzie has started supporting GiveOut this year, an international community foundation to fund LGBTQ+ activism around the world. GiveOut, which was founded five years ago, is led by Baker McKenzie alumnus Rupert Abbott as a platform which enables individuals and businesses to support the LGBTQ+ movement. GiveOut pools the donations they receive to provide grants to LGBTQ+ organizations around the world, ensuring that they have more of the resources they need to defend LGBTQ+ communities, tackle inequalities and campaign for lasting change.

Rupert trained and qualified at Baker McKenzie and credits the Firm with providing him with opportunities to learn about the power of the law in doing good.

Fifteen years on and seeing the Firm now supporting GiveOut is especially meaningful for me. Over the past five years at GiveOut we have shown that if we come together and pool resources we can have an impact, we can improve, and in some cases, even save lives.” Rupert Abbott, Executive director at GiveOut

of LIFT participants have moved into leadership roles during or after the program.

Sponsoring women into senior leadership around the globe

I attended LIFT 2.0 in 2018. My sponsor was a partner from the Buenos Aires office, his support was fundamental in my journey. He guided me on my business plan and provided support and recommendations for having a life-work balance. In addition, the LIFT Program allowed me to connect with other colleagues and build a unique relationship of support and mutual learning. I was promoted to Partner during my first child's maternity leave. When the news arrived, I felt incredibly honored and grateful, but above all, significantly supported by the Firm. In a moment as crucial as the birth of your first child, but at the same time so vulnerable, I felt a tremendous motivation to continue working with enthusiasm and confidence.”

She has gone from being a participant in the LIFT initiative to now being a mentor in the Associate RISE program, to ensure she helps other women on their journeys. When supporting women to progress she says it’s important to focus on what you can control and walk the extra mile always! She added:

Leaders Investing in Tomorrow (LIFT) is Baker McKenzie’s global sponsorship initiative that supports the progression of women to senior leadership roles. Cristina Mejia joined the Firm’s Bogota office as a senior associate in the Dispute Resolution practice in 2014. She attended LIFT in 2018 and was promoted to Partner while on maternity leave with her first child.

80%+

Cristina said,

It is possible to be a parent and a successful lawyer: you need to plan, delegate, and identify the things more impactful for your family and not lose them. Share your passion for the profession with your family.”

We are a member of the Valuable 500, a partnership of 500 organizations working together to accelerate disability inclusion for the one in five people living with a disability. Each member makes their own pledge of commitment. As a Firm we have committed to removing barriers to participation at Baker McKenzie for our people, clients, candidate talent, guests and pledged to improve the accessibility of our communication platforms (tech and in person) for all our people and clients. As part of this, our global Assistive Technology site helps to enhance learning, working and daily living for everyone in the Firm, including those living with disabilities.

Accelerating disability inclusion globally

Baker McKenzie is proud to support the Valuable 500. Inclusion, diversity, and equity underpins everything that we do and is integral to our culture and our business strategy – we understand the benefits gained by being inclusive of those with disabilities. It is key that we ensure we build a collaborative, fulfilling and professional environment where our people, prospective applicants and clients are treated equitably regardless of any disability or long term (physical or mental) health condition. We are excited to be part of a wave of change where we can work together to remove inequality and can continue to be ambitious and challenge ourselves at every opportunity to make meaningful progress. It is important to us that people with disabilities feel welcomed, included, and supported.” Milton Cheng, Global chair of Baker McKenzie

We recently celebrated International Day of Persons with Disabilities. As part of the day, we hosted a webinar full of practical tips to create a fully disability-inclusive workplace.

Advancing career development of students from underrepresented communities in Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa

The first AbbVie and Baker McKenzie Young Lawyers Mentoring Program ran from September to November 2022, and again in 2023. The initiative provided 48 mentees a unique opportunity to participate in meaningful conversations with our combined team of legal mentors, on career progression and developing their specialist knowledge and professional network.

Impact stories

We’ve partnered with AbbVie, a leading multinational biopharmaceutical corporation, on a successful mentoring initiative. This champions diverse talent and supports the career development of young lawyers and senior law students from underrepresented communities in Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa.

Accreditation involves a full day, interactive workshop, followed by an assessment to become an accredited peer supporter. From there, Real Mates receive lifetime support from Heart On My Sleeve, including access to an online learning platform, annual refresher training and regular Q&A calls with founder Mitch Wallis. At present, there are 29 Real Mates spread across the Sydney and Melbourne offices, with the plan to grow this cohort in 2024.

To further our prioritization of mental and emotional wellbeing, we partnered with Heart On My Sleeve in Australia, a leading mental health social movement and services provider, to launch the Real Mates accreditation program. The program allows people of all levels to become volunteer mental health champions to support others going through a tough time. Real Mates is a group of peers who can be a safe space to listen non-judgmentally, guide to the right resources, and show up when it counts.

First-hand experience of witnessing a family member going through a mental health crisis made the issue very tangible and personal to me. Seeing the impact on my loved ones motivated me to do all that I can to support people in the future. Additionally, males aged 18-30 are vastly overrepresented in statistics for poor mental health and suicide. Being in this age bracket, unsurprisingly, a large number of my friends are also in this age bracket. This is another factor which has motivated me to learn more, upskill and become a better listener and supporter to my friends, colleagues and peers. As much as I enjoy some banter and being light-hearted, I want to also be someone who can build deeper and more meaningful relationships and foster real conversations with those around me about the things that matter.

Raising awareness of symptoms and providing information on the subject helps to foster an environment where people feel confident enough to raise questions about their symptoms, feel supported and able to explore possible adjustments.

Trench Rossi Watanabe* launched menopause guidelines to help guarantee an inclusive and safe environment for everyone, removing barriers that can prevent talented people from thriving and reaching their full potential.

Tatiane Ferreti Director, Talent Management, Trench Rossi Watanabe*

Advocating for transgender youth in North America

1/3

2/3

3/3

Sponsoring women into senior leadership around the globe

Our clients also played a key role in this event. Twilio and Endeavor provided powerful, practical guidance for client relationship development, career advancement, and personal and professional growth.

We brought together members of our LGBTQ+ community and Firm leadership for our first LGBTQ+ conference, called This Is Us. As part of the conference, we partnered with the youth-led movement GenderCool Project to explore how members of our LGBTQ+ community navigate authenticity and belonging in the workplace. The GenderCool Project is led by influential diversity and inclusion consultant Gearah Goldstein and involves transgender and non-binary youth champions to help educate.

This conference has reminded me that I do not have to be uncomfortable or afraid to be myself. I am fortunate to work somewhere where I am valued as a lawyer and respected as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

In Hong Kong, there are nearly 13,000 refugees and asylum seekers, having fled from some of the world’s most serious human rights abuses including war, rape, violence and torture. We’ve supported RUN Hong Kong with both their core sports program, running sports and wellbeing classes and also their professional skills training workshops. RUN’s sports program helps refugees access opportunities to hike, run and swim, known to be important ways to rehabilitate from trauma, improve physical and mental strength and build resilience. RUN Hong Kong has a special focus on women as they often find it harder to access sport than men due to barriers such as religion, cultural values, past experience of sexual violence, cost of transportation and duties associated with childcare. The education program empowers the refugees to nurture self-reliance through learning new skills and developing professionally, improving their chances of securing stable employment in their future country of resettlement and ultimately building a better future for themselves and their families. This year Baker McKenzie is teaming with RUN to deliver a program focused on hospitality skills. It is aimed to provide formal education and practical experience and continue to develop the participants’ entrepreneurial skills. We also help participants write their CV’s and develop soft skills such as interview preparation via mock job fairs.

For the past four years we have partnered with RUN Hong Kong, a not-for-profit charity that supports vulnerable refugees, particularly women, to build resilience and nurture self-reliance for a more hopeful future.

I feel like I am valuable when I learn new skills. I can do something. Once I learn new skills, the skill will never die. I can stand on my own two feet and support myself. Sophia Refugee

The program, led by Tracy Wut, Managing Partner for Baker McKenzie's Mainland China and Hong Kong offices, Jannice Lau, Partner, Elizabeth Mifsud, Special Counsel, and Victoria Poon, Graduate Recruitment Manager (all based in the Hong Kong office), was awarded the Firm’s prestigious Paul Rawlinson Award. The award goes to individuals and teams demonstrating they are making a tangible impact improving social mobility. The 2023 award was also presented to our Belfast Center for their 'Student of the Year' initiative, which you can learn more about here.

The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund is a non-profit organization whose mission is to end discrimination and achieve equality for transgender people, particularly those in our most vulnerable communities. Together we submitted an amicus brief, a brief to petition the Texas Supreme Court to block the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services from investigating and criminalizing parents who work with medical professionals to provide their transgender children with medically necessary gender-affirming care. By uplifting the diverse perspectives and experiences of trans youth and their families, we helped secure injunctions blocking the enforcement of these directives. Our brief successfully established that these directives inflict irreparable harm on transgender youth and their parents, and undermine their decisions to protect the welfare, health, and happiness of transgender youth.

We partnered with the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund to advocate for members of the transgender community in Texas.

The NA Transgender Rights team pushes back against the growing anti-LGBTQ+ narrative, while continuing our legacy of challenging discrimination against LGBTQ+ people across the world. The amicus brief with the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund lifted the voices of families of trans youth who would otherwise be destroyed by the inclusion of transgender supportive care into the definition of abuse and neglect in Texas. It was a triumphant effort in the face of the national attack on trans people and their families.

The North America Transgender Rights team led by Rick Hammett, Equity Partner, Elizabeth Boone, Knowledge Lawyer, M’Alyssa Mecenas, Associate and Kerry Miller, Director of Professional Responsibility, were recipients of the Firm's ID&E Impact Awards in 2023. This award celebrates the outstanding achievements of the people who go above and beyond to help drive, enhance, and embed our ID&E agenda, making a positive difference to the lives of others, creating an impact, and showcasing outstanding dedication to our Firm. Our Buenos Aries Center Leadership Team also received an ID&E Impact Award in 2023 – you can hear more from the team in this short video.

GiveOut, which was founded five years ago, is led by Baker McKenzie alumnus Rupert Abbott as a platform which enables individuals and businesses to support the LGBTQ+ movement. GiveOut pools the donations they receive to provide grants to LGBTQ+ organizations around the world, ensuring that they have more of the resources they need to defend LGBTQ+ communities, tackle inequalities and campaign for lasting change. Since starting, GiveOut has raised £1.7 million, and helped more than 40 organizations around the world. One of the ways we are supporting GiveOut is by signing up to their Pride With Purpose campaign, where businesses are asked to mark Pride by supporting LGBTQ+ activists and their organizations defending LGBTQ+ communities and campaigning for equality in the most difficult places to be LGBTQ+. The Firm is also proud to have sponsored the City for LGBT+ live crowdfunding event. City for LGBT+ is a live event bringing together the community and corporate allies for a fun, impactful evening of food, drinks, networking, engaging speakers and the opportunity to meet activists from around the world who are advancing LGBTQ+ rights.

Baker McKenzie has started supporting GiveOut, an international community foundation to fund LGBTQ+ activism around the world.

Being at Baker McKenzie was a formative and impactful experience for me. The Firm was always supportive of their lawyers doing pro bono work and this was very important for me. I had the opportunity to work on the illegal incarcerations in Guantanamo Bay and also supported Prisoners Abroad, a charity supporting British nationals imprisoned overseas. Fifteen years on and seeing the Firm now supporting GiveOut is especially meaningful for me. Over the past five years at GiveOut we have shown that if we come together and pool resources we can have an impact, we can improve, and in some cases, even save lives.

Find out more about GiveOut here: https://giveout.org

Rupert Abbott Executive Director, GiveOut

*Baker McKenzie and Trench Rossi Watanabe have executed a strategic cooperation agreement for consulting on foreign law.

Rupert trained and qualified at Baker McKenzie and credits the Firm with providing him with opportunities to learn about the power of the law in doing good.

We are a member of the Valuable 500, a partnership of 500 organizations working together to accelerate disability inclusion for the one in five people living with a disability. Each member makes their own pledge of commitment. As a Firm we have committed to removing barriers to participation at Baker McKenzie for our people, clients, candidate talent and guests. We have pledged to improve the accessibility of our communication platforms (tech and in person) for all our people and clients. As part of this, we have tools that help enhance learning, working and daily living for everyone in the Firm.

Baker McKenzie is proud to support the Valuable 500. Inclusion, diversity and equity underpins everything that we do and is integral to our culture and our business strategy – we understand the benefits gained by being inclusive of those with disabilities. It is key that we ensure we build a collaborative, fulfilling and professional environment where our people, prospective applicants and clients are treated equitably regardless of any disability or long term (physical or mental) health condition. We are excited to be part of a wave of change where we can work together to remove inequality and can continue to be ambitious and challenge ourselves at every opportunity to make meaningful progress. It is important to us that people with disabilities feel welcomed, included, and supported.

Milton Cheng Global Chair, Baker McKenzie

Leaders Investing For Tomorrow (LIFT) is Baker McKenzie’s global sponsorship initiative that supports the progression of women to senior leadership roles. Cristina Mejia joined the Firm’s Bogota office as a senior associate in the Dispute Resolution practice in 2014. She attended LIFT in 2018 and was promoted to Partner while on maternity leave with her first child. Cristina has gone from being a participant in the LIFT initiative to now being a mentor in the Associate RISE program, to ensure she helps other women on their journeys. When supporting women to progress she says it’s important to focus on what you can control and walk the extra mile always!

of LIFT participants have moved into leadership roles during or after the program.

I attended LIFT 2.0 in 2018. The support I received from my sponsor was fundamental in my journey. He guided me on my business plan and provided support and recommendations for having a life-work balance. In addition, the LIFT Program allowed me to connect with other colleagues and build a unique relationship of support and mutual learning. I was promoted to Partner while I was on maternity leave for my first child. When the news arrived, I felt incredibly honored and grateful, but above all, significantly supported by the Firm. In a moment as crucial as the birth of your first child, but at the same time so vulnerable, I felt a tremendous motivation to continue working with enthusiasm and confidence.

80%+

As a first step Dorka came and spent time in our Budapest office to test all aspects of our working environment, including our IT apps, to see if they would be suitable for employing blind and visually impaired people. With the exception of one app that needed improving, she found the environment suitable and has endorsed our internship plans. We continue to collaborate with Dorka, and to mark International Day of People with Disabilities, Dorka led an impactful session, sharing her story of how as a blind child she won a drawing competition and went on to choose a legal career to help people living with disabilities. As part of the event, she shared her insights on interacting with blind and visually impaired people and why it is so important to use inclusive language. Moving forwards we are working together with Dorka on a project to ensure equitable access to banking services for individuals who are blind and visually impaired.

We have partnered with Dorka Velegi, a blind lawyer, and Chief Legal Counsel of the Hungarian Federation of the Blind and Partially Sighted. We have cooperated in various ways to support blind lawyers and blind people, including the testing of our work environment, creating an internship for blind students and working with financial institutions to make their processes compatible for blind people.

Baker McKenzie is the place where it is always a pleasure to return to. I have been in contact with the Budapest office since May 2023 with the aim of working together to debunk the false myths and taboos that still exist around lawyers with disabilities. Thanks to all team members in the Budapest office for having the courage to ask honest questions at our last meeting! It is communication and an open, human, honest and inquiring attitude that can lead us through most of the bumps associated with disability. Here I would like to express my deepest appreciation for Baker McKenzie's commitment to mentoring young talent and not excluding students with disabilities! Dorka Velegi Chief Legal Counsel, Hungarian Federation of the Blind and Partially Sighted

I was born in Zimbabwe. My grandmother Eileen was a housemaid during colonial Rhodesia, living next to apartheid in South Africa. She did not have the right to vote and her primary purpose in life was to live subordinated to, and in servitude to, white people and others of legally defined superior races. She could hardly dare to dream. So when I look at what has been possible in my lifetime, my career at Baker McKenzie, Virgin Money, Morgan Stanley, Meta and now at Nandi Life Sciences, my company which I have built, I know that I am my ancestor’s wildest dream.

The success of BakerEthnicity spurred Sophie to establish the BBBAwards to debunk stereotypes and dig into specific issues that give rise to poor representation of Black individuals in senior roles in large commercial enterprises worldwide. A decade on, the BBBAwards confirms the strength of the Black talent pipeline in Britain by highlighting the commercial excellence of Black professionals and entrepreneurs who stand as role models and substantial contributors to the British economy. As the only premium awards program of its kind in Britain, the BBBAwards have been endorsed by three British Prime Ministers and a whole host of global business leaders. Baker McKenzie was one of the BBBAwards’ first supporters. Sponsors now include global corporations with significant workforces in Britain including Bloomberg, Barclays, Cisco, Goldman Sachs, GSK, J.P.Morgan, L’Oréal, Moody’s, Meta, National Grid, P&G, Ralph Lauren, Shell, Virgin, Visa and others.

Baker McKenzie has sponsored the Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards) from inception in 2014. The Chair and Executive Founder of the BBBAwards is Baker McKenzie alumnus Dr Sophie Chandauka MBE who played an instrumental role in setting up BakerEthnicity as the first employee resource group in the London office in 2003.

This support is due to the BBBAwards’ exceptional reputation for effectively challenging the status quo and working with thought leaders to design and deliver research-based, high-impact ecosystem change programs focused on systems change to ensure the attraction, retention and advancement of racial minorities in the workplace. The BBBAwards annual ceremony attracts an audience of 600 consisting of industry leaders, breath-taking finalists, allies and corporations that convene to demonstrate accountability and action towards racial equity in Britain. Sophie often says that, apart from challenging the status quo, the BBBAwards is also about aspiration, inspiration and correcting narrative. Sophie reflects that, through the sacrifices of others, she and many others have come a long way. She would like society and business leaders to aim higher and transcend stereotypes when it comes to expectations and support for the ambitions of Black people. Sophie lives in New York City having enjoyed a 20-year global career. Following training and working at Baker McKenzie, she has held senior corporate roles leading strategy, treasury, legal and operations functions for complex, systemically important corporations in technology (Meta), retail banking (Virgin Money) and investment banking (Morgan Stanley). She is co-founder and Chair of Nandi Life Sciences, a US based biotech focused on developing therapeutics for rare diseases, cancers and auto-immune disorders. She holds other non-executive roles including as Chair of Sentebale, Prince Harry’s charity that is focused on supporting youths in Lesotho and Botswana.

Sophie Chandauka Founder of the BBBAwards

Sharing our progress on ID&E

Partners

Target 14%

15%

Equity Partners

Target 14%

As of December 31, 2023

Progress against targets – London

Jed Lehmann Associate

Kiyomi Yamamoto Associate

Melinda Phelan Equity Partner and Chair, North America

I’m motivated to fight for transgender rights because of my daughter, but regardless of whether you have a personal connection to the LGBTQ+ community, we all need to stand up for basic human rights. Our efforts to raise awareness of transgender rights and issues have also included programs to educate ourselves and our colleagues about the experiences of transgender people. Ultimately, the Transgender Rights team is motivated by the power of ID&E to grow our capacities for empathy and connection.

Kerry Miller Director of Professional Responsibility

Cristina Mejia Partner

Find out more about the BBBAwards here: The Black British Business Awards

Find out more about the Hungarian Federation of the Blind and Partially Sighted here: About us - Magyar Vakok és Gyengénlátók Országos Szövetsége

The focus, drive and energy we continue to invest into ID&E gives me confidence that we are committed to building a more inclusive Baker McKenzie. We are shaping a better future, together.

Read overview from Kirsty

Message from Kirsty Wilson, Global Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Committee Chair

Read a message from our chief ID&E officer

In order to make an impact we’ve got to be alert and aware and constantly listening. We are making progress and are a long way along the journey, but there is always so much more to do. It is fundamental that everyone feels safe, feels able to be themselves and not hide. We want everyone to be truly authentic, to come to work and thrive. Last year we were pleased to see ever increasing ID&E activity around the world and greater levels of engagement. We’ve had a challenging year, but the way we’ve responded and the focus, drive and energy we continue to invest into ID&E has given me confidence and reassurance that we are committed to building a more inclusive Baker McKenzie. We are shaping a better future, together. There is more to be done, however. We know we are learning all the time, and we don’t get everything right all of the time. We need to continue to educate ourselves. We need the humility to say when we get things wrong and learn, both at an organizational level as well as at the individual level. The real challenge is making sure people are listened to and really heard. We know that listening to our clients is fundamental to continue to learn and improve. Listening to each other is also essential because part of being included is being heard. We are making sure listening runs through everything we do.

Kirsty Wilson, Global Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Committee Chair

Over the past year we have been keenly focused on providing our Firm leaders and partners with guidance on how to be inclusive leaders and we will continue this focus into 2024.

Read overview from Marredia

Message from Marredia Crawford, Chief Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Officer

We understand the importance of role modelling the behavior we wish to see embodied by our leaders, and the key to this is taking action. Across the Firm active inclusive leadership involves many aspects including intentionally seeking out insights from people who may have a different cultural background, it may be acknowledging and reaching out to people you haven't previously worked with, or ensuring that everyone is heard and given the opportunity to contribute during meetings. This is for everyone, as we are all leaders within our own sphere of influence.

Marredia Crawford Chief Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Officer

Over the past year, we have been keenly focused on providing our Firm leaders and partners with guidance on how to be inclusive leaders and we will continue this focus into 2024.

Read overview from Marredia

Marredia Crawford Chief Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Officer

The real challenge is making sure people are listened to and really heard. We know that listening to our clients is fundamental to continue to learn and improve. Listening to each other is also essential because part of being included is being heard. We are making sure listening runs through everything we do.

Inclusion Diversity Equity 2023 Virtual Series | Insight | Baker McKenzie

We are also committed to continuing the conversation about the state of the pay gap in the UK, across both gender and ethnicity; and making continuous progress to close the gaps. Read our most recent report published in March 2023: Gender Pay and Ethnicity Gap Reporting | Locations | Baker McKenzie

*US members of the North America Regional Council, Talent Management, Financial Management and Compensation Committees

Suzanne Soo Mentor and Co-Program Lead, AbbVie

It was incredible to have the opportunity to meaningfully advocate for the rights of transgender people, as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. I hope we can all roll up our sleeves together for transgender equality, because there’s so much more work to be done.

M’Alyssa Mecenas Associate

Find out more about the Valuable 500.

Looking ahead we want to continue to keep a laser focus on improving our representation of women and underrepresented racial and ethnic colleagues, while also maintaining momentum across our LGBTQ+, Disability and Social Mobility programs. We know that our structures, procedures and policies are the foundations to a more inclusive workplace. What was once market leading in the past may not be now, whether that’s around parental leave, access to benefits for same sex couples or support given to colleagues with disabilities. So we must continue to evolve and change to ensure we make meaningful progress. But it’s not enough to merely have the right policies in place, people must know they are there and feel the benefit. That takes a concerted effort over time, and it’s fundamental that our leaders across the world are behind these efforts. In order to create and nurture a more inclusive, diverse and equitable place to work, we have to be willing to listen, empathize, and act. This is a journey that we are all on together- facing challenges, overcoming obstacles, and celebrating achievements.

Our Focus Going Forward

As we look forward to shaping a better future together, we remain focused on improving outcomes for underrepresented groups, building a sustainable inclusive culture while continuing to evolve, and adapting to ensure we make meaningful progress. At Baker McKenzie our people are our greatest asset, and we understand the importance of having the right policies in place to support them. In order to create and nurture a more inclusive, diverse and equitable place to work, our leaders are making a concerted effort to lead more inclusively. This is a journey that we are all on together - facing challenges, overcoming obstacles, and celebrating achievements.

Our focus going forward

Strengthening the LGBTQ+ community in North America

Creating an internship for blind law students in Hungary

Upskilling vulnerable refugees in Hong Kong

Celebrating the impact of Black professionals and entrepreneurs in Britain

Supporting women through the menopause

Fostering mental and emotional wellbeing in Australia

Accelerating disability inclusion

Funding LGBTQ+ activism around the world

About us - Magyar Vakok és Gyengénlátók Országos Szövetsége

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Creating an internship for blind law students in Hungary

Upskilling vulnerable refugees in Hong Kong

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Fostering mental and emotional wellbeing in Australia

Advocating for transgender youth in North America

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Sponsoring women into senior leadership around the globe

Accelerating disability inclusion

Funding LGBTQ+ activism around the world

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