Lammy commands elite of the legal profession to embrace diversity

Constitutional affairs minister David Lammy today (23 November) called on solicitors’ firms and barristers’ chambers to encourage diversity within the legal profession.

Speaking at a conference on legal education, Lammy said: "A change in attitude or a change in culture needs to come from those at the top. I want to see the top law firms and top chambers take a leading role."

According to Lammy, the legal profession needs to set an example to other professions in terms of recruitment and retention of women and ethnic minorities.

The minister’s words come just a month after the launch of a Department of Constitutional Affairs consultation paper on increasing diversity within the judiciary. The aim is to increase the number of women and minority groups at the top of the profession.