The world needs different

Insightful ideas and creative solutions come from diverse perspectives and varied lived experiences, which is why diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) remains one of A&O’s strategic priorities.

A&O has made strong progress across a multitude of areas, enabling people to thrive in an inclusive culture. Recently, the business has increased its focus on disability and social mobility.

Arina Stelmokaite and Josh Wilkins are two of A&O’s pioneering apprentices. What are their impressions one year in?

Arina said: “Initially I was surprised how friendly A&O is. When people first told me about the approachable and welcoming culture at A&O, I didn’t believe them. A&O definitely defeats the stereotypes of a typical commercial law firm.”

Josh added: “I’ve been taken aback by the quality of work I’ve been immersed in since starting at A&O. At first I was surprised by how much exposure I’ve gained with clients and transactions, and the extent to which colleagues were willing to place their trust in me.”

Collaboration across the legal sector

In the broader legal sector, A&O is also one of the founding firms of City Century, which has seen more than 50 City law firms commit to increasing the number of solicitor apprentices in the City of London.

James says: “We’re one of the six firms spearheading City Century together with the City of London Law Society. Everyone involved is dedicated to identifying and recruiting apprentices, as well as raising awareness of the importance of the initiative in the legal industry. “As part of City Century, we’ll mentor and share best practice with firms which are yet to set up a programme, helping to embed many more successful solicitor apprenticeships throughout the City.”

A&O has also launched a new global virtual work experience programme to enable a wider variety of people to gain insight into life in the legal industry. Two free, virtual legal work experience programmes covering employment law and M&A and technology law are on offer. Designed by A&O lawyers, both programmes are self-paced and can be accessed from anywhere in the world, providing participants with a variety of real life tasks to help them understand the day-to-day work of a commercial lawyer, the skills needed and most importantly the opportunity to practise them.

Top 10 UK employer for social mobility

A&O has been ranked 7th in the Social Mobility Foundation Employer Index 2023 out of a total of 75 companies. This is the fifth consecutive year that the firm has improved its ranking and our highest placement to date.

The index – considered the leading authority on employer-led social mobility – is an annual benchmarking tool for organisations looking to understand how they are performing on social mobility and to identify areas for improvement.

As A&O concentrates on improving social mobility and accessibility for people with disabilities, it’s not letting up on pursuing a more equitable approach across gender, LGBTQ+ and race and ethnicity matters.

Striving for a better gender balance

Jo Dooley, head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, said: “Having achieved most of the gender targets set in 2018, A&O undertook a review of progress and set more ambitious targets in 2022 to ensure the firm continues to stretch itself. We’re seeing meaningful change.”

50% women at every level

• Associate population has remained constant at around 50%
• Senior associate population has grown from 35% to 48% in the last five years
• Counsel population has grown from 30% to 40% in the last five years

50% women partners

• Currently at 25% globally, up from 18% in 2018

40% partner promotion candidates every year

• 2023: 42%
• 2022: 36%
• 2021: 33%
• 2020: 45%

30% of women in elected leadership positions

• 38% of the executive committee are women

LGBTQ+ visibility, representation and inclusion

A&O continues its commitment to ensuring that lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer (LGBTQ+) colleagues know A&O is safe ground, wherever they are in the world. However people identify, whatever their difference, it’s A&O’s goal that they should feel completely able to bring their authentic selves to work.