We are very aware of the economic, social and environmental impact of our activities as a firm and our resulting moral responsibility to society. We are dedicated to making a positive contribution in all of these areas, and encourage all of our people to play an active part in being a socially responsible firm.
We are committed to giving time, money and resources to good causes in the most beneficial manner. We therefore support a single charity with fundraising activities each year, following a nomination and voting process.
Our charity for 2023 and 2024 is Key4Life. Key4Life is an innovative crime prevention charity which rehabilitates young men in prison or at risk of going to prison, and provides real solutions to help reduce youth offending. The charity’s rehabilitation programmes help the young men to build resilience and release negative behaviours through a powerful blend of music, football, equine therapy, NLP (Neuro-linguistic programming) and emotional release sessions.
In the last five years we have supported the Spitalfield’s Crypt Trust, Anna Freud Centre, Nordoff Robbins, The Eve Appeal, The Children’s Trust, Shooting Star CHASE, Alzheimer’s Society, Teenage Cancer Trust, Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research and The Rainbow Trust.
Many of our lawyers also provide legal advice on a pro-bono basis for local and global causes in an effort to promote equality and an end to poverty, as well as in support of the arts, the creative industries and advancing technological development for the greater good.
Environment
Our firm-wide green policy has helped us to change our staff’s attitudes and behaviour in terms of the consumption of paper and energy. We have communal recycling points on every floor in addition to recycling bins beside each desk. Our electronic filing policy has helped us reduce significantly, paper usage, and we are saving energy through the use of sensors which automatically turn off lights. Many of our employees also benefit from the cycle to work scheme as an alternative to public transport.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
DEI is embedded in our strategic values and firm culture. We understand running fair systems and processes where individual difference is recognised, valued and celebrated is the right thing to do. We are committed to promoting an equitable place to work, where everyone feels valued, is empowered to express themselves authentically and is given the opportunity to grow.
At Harbottle & Lewis we want to reflect the diverse world that we live in, which we will achieve by welcoming employees from all backgrounds. Drawing on individual difference and excellence in all its forms, we aim to develop enduring relationships with our clients, as well as sustainable and engaging careers for our people.
You can view our 2023 Diversity Data here.
Culture
Our Social Committee is responsible for ensuring that the culture at our firm is inclusive of everybody, promoting a healthy and positive working environment. The firm provides free lunch for everybody, and our lunch room facility further supports positive team spirit and cohesive relationships amongst all of our staff.
Dedication to the creative industries
Harbottle & Lewis is committed in its support of the arts and creative industries and this is embedded in the ethos of the firm. We encourage all our staff to experience and to become actively involved in arts, entertainment and creative initiatives as much as possible. Indeed, many of our lawyers give up their free time to sit on the board of theatre groups, dance groups and other arts based charities.
In addition, the firm is a corporate sponsor of the Bush Theatre and the UK Screen Association and for a number of years we have participated in major events such as the Edinburgh Interactive Festival.
