Networks and initiatives

As we continue to build our diversity and inclusion profile internally, we have set up a number of employee networks and initiatives to bring together people who might not otherwise meet each other, and to raise awareness that diversity matters.

Family Matters Network

Our “Family Matters” network launched in the London office in 2010 with the aim of working with our other international offices to support them in launching their own networks. The purpose of this network is to bring together working parents and carers to share knowledge and experiences and to support them by providing appropriate learning and development and networking opportunities. We run a series of events throughout the year, open to all partners and staff, which offer support and guidance around topics such as; Raising happy brothers and sisters, How to succeed as a working parent, Growing Older Together and Motivating your children to be their best, understanding Dementia, UCAS Personal statements and Street drugs and addiction, presented by inspiring and engaging presenters such as Libby Purves and Miriam Chachamu.

LGBT London Network

Our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) network launched in 2010. The network focuses on fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all our LGBT employees and clients and creating a dynamic LGBT community within the practice. The network also hosts a range of social and networking events for both employees and clients.

LGBTA Canada Network

We launched our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Allies Network in Canada this year with guest speaker, Kenneth Fredeen, General Counsel and Secretary to the Board, Deloitte & Touche LLP. The Network is open to all professionals and staff within Norton Rose in Canada, including LGBT individuals and allies who wish to support the LGBT community.

Women in Red Paris Network

The Paris office launched a “Women in Red” women’s network in 2010. The aim of the network is to provide learning and development opportunities to associates, of counsel and partners as well as to provide networking opportunities with clients and prospective recruits. The network has run a series of lunchtime seminars with JoAnne Freeman from DIAFORA which have been open to our female clients and prospective clients. Events have included a seminar on the differing communication styles of men and women and a session entitled “Rules of the Game”.

Women in Red Amsterdam Network

The Amsterdam office launched their Women in Red network in March 2011. The network aims to enhance business development opportunities and provide a learning and development programme for our female lawyers. The network is now looking to combine its initial aim with a goal “to also give back to society and help others”. The network hosts a series of events and seminars for women, and seminar topics have included “Unwritten Rule of the Business Game” and “Effective Communication”.

Women in Norton Rose Network

In October 2011 we launched a “Women in Norton Rose” (WiN) Network to all within the London office. The network aims to provide learning, development and networking opportunities, to make contacts across the group and with other networks, to increase diversity and the retention of women at Norton Rose, to focus on specific skills that women need to maximise their business development and career potential and to endorse a culture and provide a visible forum within which issues affecting women can be freely raised and discussed. In the past six months the network has held internal networking and training events including a, “New Year New You?” lunch. Upcoming events include “Women getting onto staying and thriving on boards”. This event includes a panel with Mark’s & Spencer chairman, Robert Swannell, Rosemary Martin, General counsel and company secretary for Vodafone and Emma Howard Boyd from Jupiter asset management and member of the 30 per cent club steering committee.

Women in Business Singapore

Our Women in Business network in Singapore arranges a variety of development and networking opportunities for employees and clients. The Singapore Women in Business Initiative has held a successful networking seminar on “Derivatives”. The seminar attempted to address questions such as, what are derivatives?, how can derivatives protect against financial risk?, and are derivatives toxic?

Bahrain Women’s Roundtable

The purpose of the Women’s Roundtable is to provide a forum for women who live and work in Bahrain to network and speak informally about their individual experiences as women in industry. The group discuss a range of topics including: the experiences of being a woman working in a business environment in Bahrain compared to other jurisdictions; work/life balance; and how the Norton Rose Women's Roundtable Group can become more engaged in issues involving women in business in Bahrain.

International Women’s Day

On 8 March 2012 we celebrated International Women’s Day around the world with a variety of events.

In London, our Women In Norton Rose Network (WiN) held an informal networking lunch for all staff and a client event in the evening with Baroness Scotland attending as our Distinguished Speaker.

In Australia an event was held in each office where an external speaker addressed staff on diversity. They discussed this year’s theme, “Equal access to education, training, science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women”. The Governor of Queensland was the keynote speaker at an event for clients in the Brisbane office.

In Canada we offered financial support to Canadian charitable organisations dedicated to the welfare of women.

G(irls) 20 Summit

We are partners of the annual G(irls)20 Summit, a movement to drive the economic and political empowerment of girls and women. The G(irls)20 Summit brings together one delegate from each G20 country, plus a representative from the European Union and the African Union. All the participants are females aged 18-20. These young women have each shown the desire and potential to develop solutions to some of the world's greatest challenges and to be catalysts for change in their own communities and countries. During the summit we led a panel discussion on the theme of “If I knew then what I know now…” As well as our sponsorship of this event, we are contributing to the development of these young women in practical ways.