The firm has integrated its approach to Corporate Responsibility throughout the business and recognises that, through its business activities, it has an impact on society as an advisor, an employer and an enterprise. Accordingly, the global firm has developed a community strategy that aims to reflect their business, and make the best use of employee skills.
The global strategy focuses on promoting achievement, enterprise and access to justice but also allows each of its offices to tailor its support to address specific local needs. In the UK, a London Community Investment Committee exists to lead activity, and it is responsible for allocating budgets, monitoring impacts and championing participation.
Engaging employees and other stakeholders
Linklaters’ longstanding and active community programme works with local community partners to address common challenges that have been identified through internal and external stakeholder engagement. Last year, the firm’s London office invested over £3.5 million in cash and volunteer time in this way. This included more than 12,000 hours of pro bono legal advice to those otherwise unable to afford such support.
Linklaters supports and encourages employees to engage in community investment programmes, through volunteering, fundraising and pro-bono work. The firm has made a strong commitment to measuring and evaluating performance of programmes, and is able to demonstrate the business and community win:win across its programmes.
Key projects
JobLink
An initiative which seeks to increase the number of jobseekers in East London securing jobs in the city. It is funded by Linklaters in Hackney and managed through East London Business Alliance (ELBA), providing an intensive two-week college-based course, followed by a 26 week work placement. Upon completion, many participants are taken on by their placement employers and Linklaters has employed twelve people as a direct result of this programme. Overall, 75% of participants find permanent employment.
Project Shoreditch
A unique partnership between UBS, Deutsche and the Shoreditch Trust that provides corporate support to community activities across Shoreditch, focusing particularly on skills development and raising aspirations.
Pro bono advice
A core part of Linklaters’ programme. The firm works with a number of legal advice centres across London, recognising its responsibility to increase access to justice in local communities and leverage the skills and expertise of its employees.
The School for Social Entrepreneurs
An organisation established to encourage and develop entrepreneurs working for social benefit through a programme of personal development based on action learning. Linklaters provides bursaries for four students, supporting them with mentors from within the business. Linklaters people gain inspiration from the participants whilst the entrepreneurs understand a little more of broader business challenges.
The 'Lawyers in Schools' twinning scheme
Pioneered by Linklaters and the Citizenship Foundation, this scheme provides opportunities for lawyers to deepen students' understanding of legal issues. Evaluation of the Lawyers in Schools shows that 80% of teachers awarded the scheme 5/5 whilst 98.5% of students claimed to have enjoyed working with the lawyers. The aim of the programme has always been to encourage other firms to deliver the course in other places. To date, 19 firms have taken up this challenge across the country, ensuring the sustainability and success of this programme.
Please visit http://cr.linklaters.com to find out more about Linklaters' approach to community investment.
