People

Development

The highest quality training programmes which support on-the-job training and knowledge enhancement are the key components of our development programme, which is spearheaded by the Clifford Chance Academy. The Academy, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2010, runs hundreds of different legal, technical and business skills courses each year as well as e-learning courses and career development planning.

Our lawyers receive support throughout their time with us, from honing their knowledge of detailed areas of law to developmental guidance for progression to partnership and beyond that to leadership roles within the Firm.

In recent years, Clifford Chance has also introduced major changes to its organisational and career development structures through the introduction of a six-band global career framework for business services staff to bring greater transparency and a more tailored approach to training and career progression, as well as a globally consistent appraisal system.

Development initiatives also extend beyond the firm itself. The technical expertise we have established in fostering talent combines readily with our legal knowledge in the form of training for clients.

Diversity

We see diversity as essential to the development of a thriving, globally integrated firm. It's a competitive strength; our people come from many different countries and backgrounds because we recognise success depends not only on understanding the law but also the business characteristics and local culture of our clients, wherever they may be.

Equally, we're committed to being an inclusive organisation where all employees, regardless of race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, age, gender or background, can develop to their fullest potential and contribute their best work to the benefit of the firm and its clients.

Across our network, we can point to examples of how we put this commitment to diversity into practice – from women's networks to LGBT groups, from Chanukah, Christmas, Eid and Diwali celebrations to diversity awareness workshops, from signing up to global and national diversity charters to mentoring gifted children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

We're also actively addressing the thorny issue facing all law firms of how to retain more female lawyers and bring them into the partnership. There are no simple solutions but it is an issue that we are committed to addressing. That is why we have set ourselves a clear ambition that 30% of our partners will be women.  Clifford Chance is the only leading international law firm to have set a target of this sort.  You can read more about our progress in our Corporate Responsibility Report.

Diversity, dignity and inclusiveness

Diversity initiative at Clifford Chance (London)

To read more about how we support development and diversity at Clifford Chance, please see our Corporate Responsibility Reports