Moving up 25 places to 28 from 53 last year, Brodies is the only independent Scottish law firm to be included in this year’s Index, which recognises UK employers who have taken the most action to improve social mobility in the workplace.

The index is the creation of the Social Mobility Foundation. It assesses employers on everything from the work they do with young people and apprenticeships through to their recruitment and selection processes. It also looks at how colleagues from less advantaged backgrounds progress within their organisations.

Brodies was recognised for its outreach work with schools and ‘leading the way’ as it moves to start targeting ‘cold spots’ across Scotland - where young people wouldn’t ordinarily have access to quality work experience opportunities. 

It was also commended for its work with PRIME - the UK-wide alliance committed to improving access to the legal profession. In particular, the Index highlighted the steps the firm took to reserve places during its PRIME week in Aberdeen for students from the Highlands and Islands who would not have access to such opportunities otherwise. The firm was also acknowledged for maintaining relationships with PRIME alumni, welcoming two students back as trainees to the firm.

Kirstie Maclennan, director of HR at Brodies, said: “We understand and appreciate the value that a diverse workforce can deliver for our clients and our firm. Receiving this latest ranking from the UK Social Mobility Employer Index demonstrates the progress we have made. But there is much more to do, and we recognise that we, and the wider legal profession, have a responsibility to improve access to the jobs we create.”