Interlaw

The InterLaw Diversity Forum for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (“LGBT”) Networks (the “InterLaw Diversity Forum”) was founded in March 2008 by Daniel Winterfeldt, Simmons & Simmons corporate partner, working with other top London law firms including Allen & Overy, Baker & MacKenzie, Clifford Chance, Eversheds, Herbert Smith and Lovells. The InterLaw Diversity Forum is an inter-organisational forum for the LGBT networks in law firms and all personnel (lawyers and nonlawyers) in the legal sector, including in-house counsel (the “LGBT Legal Community”). The overall objective of the InterLaw Diversity Forum is to encourage LGBT diversity and inclusion in the legal sector. The InterLaw Diversity Forum has over 600 members and supporters from more than 60 law firms and 35 corporates and financial institutions.

The InterLaw Diversity Forum was created in response to a need for an organisation to address LGBT issues in the London legal sector. Until 2008 no London law firm had entered the Stonewall Work Equality Index’s (“WEI”) top 100 employers for LGB employees, placing the legal sector far behind its City peers. TheWEI is the definitive national benchmarking exercise showcasing Britain’s top employers for lesbian, gay and bisexual staff. In addition, top clients of City law firms had asked the London legal community to address LGBT issues and to create an environment where employees can reach their fullest potential without regard to sexual orientation. In addition, the creation of the InterLaw Diversity Forum was influenced by the recommendations in a 2006 study published by The Law Society: Career experiences of gay and lesbian solicitors.

In its brief tenure, the InterLaw Diversity Forum has already been recognized as a driving force for the LGBT Legal Community. The InterLaw Diversity Forum is honoured to have been recognized in 2008 by being ranked first for Diversity by the FT Innovative Lawyers Report, as well as ‘’Highly Commended’’ at the Law Society’s Excellence Awards in November 2008.

Law firms and organisations take turns hosting our monthly planning meetings. The rota is available by following the link to "Meetings and Events" on the left.