Explore the latest points of view from our people on our responsible business activities, including inclusion & diversity, community & pro bono, sustainability and how we work as a firm.
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Clifford Chance represents Applicant for a protection visa in landmark High Court appeal regarding Australia's 'complementary protection' regime
In February 2021, the High Court of Australia heard its first appeal involving the 'complementary protection' criterion in the Migration Act 1958 (Cth).
Tim Grave Partner 3 March 2021
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What is the impact of the global shift to agile working on our firm? Asia Pacific was the first of our regions to face an unprecedented shift to extensive agile working, both as a result of the public demonstrations in Hong Kong and the onset of the global coronavirus pandemic. Partner Geraint Hughes and Communications Manager Pia Pialorsi discuss their experiences and what they’ve learned. 10 November 2020 Read more
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Why I'm an ally
As part of our #VirtualPride celebrations, say 'allo to LGBT+ ally Andrew Beasley, Regional Director for the Innovation Programme in Asia Pacific.
Andrew Beasley Regional Programme Director, Asia Pacific 25 June 2020
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Why do we need allies?
Now more than ever we're reminded of the importance of being an active ally – and that this applies to the many minority groups that make our firm so unique. Tiernan Brady, our Global Head of Inclusion, talks about why allies are so important.
Tiernan Brady Global Director of Inclusion 19 June 2020
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Accelerate>>> and Clifford Chance Pro Bono support London Black Women's Project with a £30,000 grant
The coronavirus crisis and ongoing lockdown has disproportionately negative consequences for survivors of abuse, and one of our long standing pro bono partners London Black Women's Project (LBWP) has seen this with the women they seek to support.
Alice Jefferis Senior Associate 6 May 2020
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#KindnessMatters: A message from our Mental Health First Aiders
Our Mental Health First Aiders share random acts of kindness they've seen or experienced during lockdown to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week 2020 in the UK.
Stephanie Dare Chartered Legal Executive, Immigration 20 May 2020
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Thank you to our gender parity changemakers
With our #EachforEqual campaign, Clifford Chance has been celebrating International Women's Day across the whole of March. One of our most impactful initiatives has been recognising our role models within the firm, and seeing just how many of our people inspire others every day and many different ways.
Matthew Layton Managing Partner 7 April 2020
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What is your #EachforEqual gender parity focus for the next year? We asked a selection of our change-makers across four offices in Europe, America and Asia Pacific about their gender parity focus for the next year, and what they want to see achieved in the next decade, as part of our celebrations for International Women's Day 2020. 23 March 2020 Read more
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What positive changes in the workplace have you seen with regards to gender equality? We asked a selection of our change-makers across four offices in Europe, America and Asia Pacific about what positive changes in the workplace they have seen with regards to gender equality. 9 March 2020 Read more
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Topic guides for refugee charities Led by Anna Simpson, Clifford Chance is working with refugee charities in producing ‘topic guides’ relating to gender persecution in five countries. The guides are being drafted by a team of trainees. Refugee charities will use them when assisting women fleeing persecution who are seeking asylum in the UK. 2 March 2020 Read more
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Housing representation for minorities
Here we bring you the details of M.J. Yoon and Christina Profestas’ work representing Ms. Broadies Key-Byas, a disabled minority woman who was the target and victim of one of many deed theft scams plaguing gentrifying neighbourhoods in New York City.
Mary Jane Yoon Counsel 2 March 2020
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Tackling gender-based violence in the Pacific Islands
Here we bring you details of Emily Goddard and Sam Harris’ work in support of the International Center for Advocates Against Discrimination (ICAAD) in tackling gender-based violence (GBV) in the Pacific Islands.
Emily Goddard Lawyer 2 March 2020
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Why is gender inclusion important? As part of our International Women's Day 2020 celebrations, we asked a selection of our change-makers across four offices in Europe, America and Asia Pacific about their role models and why gender inclusion is important to them. 26 February 2020 Read more
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Remote working tips from counsel Alhassane Barry
With Clifford Chance offices across the globe working remotely, our colleagues have been sharing their remote working setups, what they're doing to maintain their mental heath and wellbeing, and how they've been staying in touch with colleagues. Next, we speak to Alhassane Barry, counsel in our Dubai office.
Alhassane Barry Counsel 27 July 2020
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Presenting the Clifford Chance x Pure Arts digital exhibition in honor of Disability Employment Awareness Month
In honour of Disability Employment Awareness Month in the US, we have teamed up with Pure Vision Arts (PVA) to showcase a selection of its resident artists, and bring you this digital exhibition.
Diana Mitchell Senior Business Advisor for Corporate & Community Development 16 October 2020
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Remote working tips from Inclusion, Diversity & Wellbeing Specialist Leana Coopoosamy
With Clifford Chance offices across the globe working remotely, our colleagues have been sharing their remote working setups, what they're doing to maintain their mental heath and wellbeing, and how they've been staying in touch with colleagues. Next, we speak to Inclusion, Diversity & Wellbeing Specialist Leana Coopoosamy.
Leana Coopoosamy Inclusion, Diversity & Wellbeing Specialist 21 October 2020
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What does Black History Month mean to me?
In an episode of the Clifford Chance Careers Podcast's Celebrating Culture podcast series, we hear from Danielle Douglas, Senior Procurement Manager, and Roy Appiah, Senior Associate, in conversation with Ebun Soyinka, Global Marketing and Employer Brand Specialist, about what Black History Month means to them.
Danielle Douglas Senior Procurement Manager 30 October 2020
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What does it mean to be a responsible business in uncertain times?
Reflecting on the last year, Global Managing Partner Matthew Layton and Global Senior Partner Jeroen Ouwehand discuss what it means to be a responsible business in uncertain times.
Matthew Layton Managing Partner 28 September 2020
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Global Senior Partner Jeroen Ouwehand speaks about tackling climate change at Green Horizon Summit
Global Senior Partner Jeroen Ouwehand spoke at the Green Horizon Summit about the link between law and climate change. Delivering the opening remarks virtually, Jeroen outlined the significant role lawyers will play in tackling climate change, as firms help their clients to "navigate the conflicting laws and regulations across jurisdictions and to anticipate policy and regulatory changes including in the area of green finance".
Jeroen Ouwehand Senior Partner 13 November 2020
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How is remote working shaping the future of our firm?
Extensive remote working has prompted us to evolve traditional working habits, develop new styles of leadership and cultivate a new sense of community. New York Associate Neha Patel and Regional Managing Partner for the Middle East Mohammed Al-Shukairy discuss recent experiences in their regions.
Mo Al-Shukairy Regional Managing Partner, Middle East 17 November 2020
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Pronouns in e-mail signatures – what's the need?
Global Inclusion Specialist Georgina Court writes on why including pronouns in e-mail signatures is practical and sensible as well as good for inclusion.
Georgina Court Global Inclusion Specialist 19 November 2020
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Why is our focus on human rights more important now than ever before?
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the protection of human rights and civil liberties has been even more important than ever before. Brussels based Partner Dorothée Vermeiren and Prague based Senior Associate Jan Dobrý discuss the firm’s work with global criminal justice watchdog, Fair Trials.
Jan Dobrý Counsel 23 November 2020
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What is the environmental impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on our firm?
The Covid-19 lockdown has had a significant impact on the way that we operate, highlighting positive changes we can all make in future. Regional Chief Operating Officer for Asia Pacific Alan Corr and Amsterdam Partner Liesbeth Buiter discuss the positive practices lockdown has uncovered for them.
Liesbeth Buiter Partner 3 December 2020
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Clifford Chance supports Culture Prioritaire, working to maximise the academic and professional success of young students from underprivileged backgrounds
Since cultural and home-life backgrounds play decisive roles in the academic and professional success of students, Clifford Chance is proud to support 'Culture Prioritaire', an organisation whose objective is to support students from challenging socioeconomic situations and increase equal opportunities.
Katrin Schallenberg Partner 3 December 2020
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Accelerate>>> the Need for Speed
Our gender parity group Accelerate>>> marks its second birthday this week, growing from the beginnings of an idea to a truly global network with buy-in from all offices, 11 active country chapters, and seeing co-founder Alice Jefferis take the #33 spot on the global HERoes Women Role Model List 2020 (100 Future Women Leaders). Here, Alice reflects on an instrumental two years.
Alice Jefferis Senior Associate 4 December 2020
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Clifford Chance increases efforts to eliminate gendered language in legal drafting internationally
The words and language we use matter greatly. They send a signal of our values and can have both a positive and negative impact on others and on our culture. Removing gendered language from our communications is a subtle but impactful way of demonstrating what we stand for.
Tiernan Brady Global Director of Inclusion 9 December 2020
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Measuring the impact of our human rights work
In honour of International Human Rights Day on 10 December, we spoke to people around the Clifford Chance global network about their pro bono human rights work and the impact it is having to help people to secure access to their basic human rights.
Sylwia Gregorczyk - Abram Advocate 10 December 2020
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Clifford Chance to launch new business ethics and purpose video interview series
2020 has been the year that has made business leaders across the globe look closely at the true meaning of 'Purpose' and rethink the practice of good ethics. The world's focus on economic, social and racial issues and inequalities has shifted up a gear, and how businesses are responding is subject to ever greater scrutiny.
Jeroen Ouwehand Senior Partner 11 December 2020
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Talking purpose in business and ethics with Alan Jope, Unilever
Over the coming months we will be sharing the thoughts and insights of senior business leaders on what purpose means to them, what drives ethical decision making and what challenges we will be facing as we come out of the crisis of the past year. Today we kick off with the first interview with Alan Jope, CEO of Unilever.
Jeroen Ouwehand Senior Partner 16 December 2020
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Introducing Clifford Chance Enable, our disability network
Our UK disability network has recently rebranded from the Disability Action Group to Enable, with an aim to support colleagues with a disability, long term injury or condition, or workplace adjustment to thrive at Clifford Chance, and to provide a safe, inclusive and open environment for them to share their lived experiences.
Caroline Firstbrook Chief Operating Officer 18 December 2020
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Setting new standards for the legal industry
To be a leading global law firm, we need to be the leaders in inclusion. There is no doubt that it is the richness of our diversity that drives our success and makes us who we are as a global firm. That diversity needs to be nurtured and celebrated and must remain a business imperative.
Matthew Layton Managing Partner 22 December 2020
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Welcome to campaigning
We faced a pandemic that did not impact everyone equally. Rather, it was proof that people experience reality very differently. We saw people from ethnic minorities with significantly worse health outcomes, women disproportionately facing choices they shouldn’t have to make between career and family, and LGBT+ people moving back home and back to marginalisation. The world showed us how important it is that we need to stand together.
Tiernan Brady Global Director of Inclusion 31 December 2020
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A call to action
In response to the civil unrest in 2020 following the killing of George Floyd and increased activity by the Black Lives Matter movement, the firm issued a call to action for racial equality to its global community. Partner and co-chair of our US Black & Latino subcommittee Thais Garcia and Senior Associate and co-chair of our UK ethnicity network REACH Roy Appiah discuss.
Thais Garcia Partner 4 January 2021
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Creating space for gender identity conversations
Tate Smith, Junior Legal Support Secretary and part-time law student speaks about the benefits of being openly transgender in the workplace and the need for greater discussion on the topic.
Tate Smith Programme Support Officer 11 January 2021
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Building strong affinity networks in the workplace
Nathan Eastwood, Senior Associate and Network Leader of the Year at the Australian LGBTQ Inclusion Awards, and Singapore partner Lena Ng discuss the importance of developing an active passion for inclusion in our offices.
Lena Ng Partner 18 January 2021
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A targeted approach to inclusion
Ferdinando Poscio, Partner and Head of Arcus in Milan outlines the impact of the firm's global and regional inclusion targets on the Italian team's inclusion work.
Ferdinando Poscio Partner 27 January 2021
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Talking purpose in business and ethics with Ann Cairns, Executive Vice Chair, Mastercard
In his next video for the Talking purpose in business and ethics series, Global Senior Partner Jeroen Ouwehand, in partnership with David Rodin of Principia, talks to Ann Cairns, Executive Vice Chair at Mastercard.
Jeroen Ouwehand Senior Partner 5 February 2021
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Tacking bullying and harassment in the legal industry
Marianne Pezant, Clifford Chance Partner and member of the Paris Accelerate>>> and Arcus groups and Kieran Pender, Senior Legal Advisor at the International Bar Association (IBA), discuss the findings from the ‘Us Too?’ report and why it’s important to reduce the prevalence of bullying and harassment in the legal sector.
Marianne Pezant Partner 2 February 2021
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Deepening connections with clients through reverse mentoring
As part of a new joint venture with clients of Clifford Chance, Expatriate & Employment Taxes Senior Manager Kalela Mwenya is a reverse mentor on the topic of ethncity to Victoria Jones, Head of EMEA Sales & Trading Compliance at Morgan Stanley.
Kalela Mwenya Expatriate & Employment Taxes Senior Manager 10 February 2021
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Inclusion – the permanent campaign, where all of us are the campaigners
2020 was a year when inclusion raced to the top of the agendas of companies and firms across the world. The impact of a global pandemic and the global events following the killing of George Floyd have both acted as catalysts for what was already the growing realisation across the business world that inclusion is both a critical value and an economic imperative. This realisation is coupled with an increasing expectation from both employees and customers that companies should commit to delivering inclusion.
Tiernan Brady Global Director of Inclusion 17 February 2021
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Pizza and pronouns
Emma Elias, Responsible Business Manager in Hong Kong, shares her experience of collaborating informally with one of our banking clients to develop a better understanding of LGBT+ terminology and issues, as well as foster more inclusive workplaces.
Emma Elias Responsible Business Manager, Hong Kong 18 February 2021
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Talking purpose in business and ethics with Mark Hoplamazian, CEO Hyatt Group
In his next video for the Talking purpose in business and ethics series, Global Senior Partner Jeroen Ouwehand, in partnership with David Rodin of Principia, talks to Ann Cairns, Executive Vice Chair at Mastercard.
Jeroen Ouwehand Senior Partner 25 February 2021
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Advising on inclusion policy
UK Employment partner Alistair Woodland and Hong Kong Head of Employment Anita Lam discuss how we’re advising a range of international clients on inclusion policies, procedures and training, in part as a result of public and employee interest fuelled by external movements such as #Metoo and #BlackLivesMatter.
Alistair Woodland Partner, Co-Head of Global Employment Practice 26 February 2021
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Fighting voter suppression of minority groups
Counsel Patrick Jackson discusses how the firm is partnering to protect the rights and interests of ethnic minorities in the US.
Patrick Jackson Counsel 1 March 2021
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Challenging anti-LGBT stunt in Poland
While support for gay rights has grown in Poland, same-sex marriages and civil unions are not legal and threats against the LGBT+ community continue to exist in many parts of the country. In 2019 Clifford Chance campaigned against pro-government newspaper Gazeta Polska’s plans to attach “LGBT-free zone” stickers to one of their issues. Partner Marcin Cieminski and Advocate Sylwia Gregorczyk explain why it was important to do so.
Marcin Ciemiński Partner 2 March 2021
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Campaigning for the right to asylum
David Boyd, Head of Pro Bono for UK and Ireland, discusses the impact of legal aid cuts on the asylum process and how law firms can help to ensure those facing persecution are welcomed in the UK.
David Boyd Head of Pro Bono for UK & Ireland 3 March 2021
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Choosing to Challenge with Clifford Chance
This International Women's Day, Senior Associate Amy Bird reflects on our #ChooseToChallenge campaign and the importance of its core message in light of the past year. She also highlights a few positive ambitions for change in her role as co-chair of the UK chapter of our global gender parity group, Accelerate>>>.
Amy Bird Senior Associate 8 March 2021
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Helping businesses to implement diverse supplier programmes
In the EU, businesses continue to face barriers to promoting gender-inclusiveness in their supply chains. Senior Associate Amélie Lavenir and Associate Josh Kennion discuss Clifford Chance's partnership with the Women's Forum and their Guide for Positive Action in supply chains.
Amélie Lavenir Avocat 30 March 2021
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50 years of women in the Clifford Chance partnership
This month, Clifford Chance is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the firm’s first female partner in London, Rosalind Bax. Rosalind was one of the first women in Britain to achieve this status in a City law firm.
Laura Hasson Senior Associate 27 April 2021
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Talking purpose in business and ethics with Kenny Nwosu, CEO Norsad Bank
In his next video for the Talking purpose in business and ethics series, Global Senior Partner Jeroen Ouwehand, in partnership with David Rodin of Principia, talks to Ann Cairns, Executive Vice Chair at Mastercard.
Jeroen Ouwehand Senior Partner 14 May 2021
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Increasing access to justice for refugees
Sam Harris, Managing Associate of Clifford Chance's Refugee Support Scheme, discusses the scheme's important work assisting individuals seeking asylum in the UK.
Sam Harris Lawyer 19 May 2021
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Choir@CC performs "Let's Do It" for Pride Month 2021
Clifford Chance's global (virtual) choir has recorded a performance of 1920s New York writer and singer Cole Porter's "Let's Do It". His love songs are coded, loaded with sly references to those in the know, and wonderfully ambiguous. For the first time in mainstream culture he deliberately replaced “he” and “she” with “me”, “you” and "us".
Kane Dowsett Brand, Communications and Marketing Manager, Americas 14 June 2021
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Adopting a theory of change to drive impact in pro bono and philanthropy
In the first of a series of blog articles about developing effective pro bono practices, Pro Bono Director Tom Dunn explores how to devise strategies for achieving impact in pro bono work.
Tom Dunn Pro Bono Director 16 June 2021
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