Below is a selection of the statements of support that we have received about BLD:
“This is long overdue and is much welcomed.”
Courtenay Griffiths QC
"I welcome this Directory and the opportunity it presents to ensure a truly diverse legal profession. I hope all lawyers will support the Black Lawyers Directory."
Patricia Scotland QC, Attorney General
"I called upon the legal profession to tackle the difficulties facing women and black and minority ethnic lawyers. The Black Lawyers Directory is the latest in what I hope will be an ongoing series of projects aimed at making the legal profession more representative of the society it serves. I wish it every success."
Bridget Prentice, Minister for Legal Services, Department for Constitutional Affairs
“This Drectory is long overdue and most welcomed as it will play a key role in ensuring diversity in all areas of our legal work.”
Gifty Edila, Director of Law and Administration, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
“Herbert Smith is proud to be involved with BLD at its inception. We recognise that a diverse workforce is a vital ingredient in our commercial success. Our support for BLD is one of the steps we are taking to attract the brightest and best lawyers to the firm.”
John Lucy, Head of HR, Herbert Smith
“The Directory should prove an invaluable resource to enable these aspiring and newly-qualified lawyers to establish the successful and challenging careers that they deserve.”
Richard de Friend, Director, College of Law London
"The legal profession has woken up to the fact that diversity is an important and challenging issue. Organisations like the Black Lawyers Directory are essential to highlight and promote diversity and we are very pleased to be able to provide support for its events and other services."
Quentin Poole, Senior Partner and Diversity Champion,
Wragge & Co LLP
“I support the Directory and its very laudable aims. Any move that promotes and highlights diversity in law needs to be supported. This support is particularly deserved because it has been created by Debo with much vision and enthusiasm.”
Segun Osuntokun, Partner, DLA Piper
"We strongly support the publication of the directory and the much-needed window it provides on diversity within the legal profession."
Samantha Mobley, Partner and Chair of Diversity Committee, Baker & McKenzie LLP
“I support BLD and its aims. The Directory will benefit our members.”
Sailesh Mehta, Chair of the Society of Asian Lawyers
"I very much support BLD's aim of providing a resource whereby lawyers from ethnic minority backgrounds can obtain valuable information and support to help develop their careers in the law, thereby assisting with the important task of ensuring the proper representation of people from diverse backgrounds across the profession. I am sure that it will also help to shine a light on, and promote useful interaction among, the many talented lawyers from such backgrounds in private practice, industry and the public sector."
John Adebiyi, Partner and Member of the Diversity Committee, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
“The concept is an excellent one.”
Robert Halton, Global Human Resources Director, DLA Piper
“For too long there has been a paucity of information about lawyers from the ethnic minorities and the diverse skills that they have to offer. This Directory will change all that, bringing a wealth of accurate and up-to-date information directly to the consumers of legal services.”
Oba Nsugbe QC
“I am very excited at the prospect of this Directory coming to fruition. I am optimistic that it will become an invaluable source of information on black lawyers from all over the world.”
Caroline Herbert, Chair Equality and Diversity Committee of the Law Society of England and Wales
“The Black Lawyers Directory is an excellent and valuable resource for the whole community - not just for ethnic minorities.”
Mirza Ahmad, Chief Legal & Monitoring Officer, Birmingham City Council
"As a firm Clifford Chance has always recognised the many benefits that flow from working with people from diverse backgrounds. We are therefore pleased to work with, and support, organisations like BLD who have the same commitment to promoting diversity within the legal sector. "
Jeremy Sandelson, London Managing Partner, Clifford Chance LLP
"We are delighted to support BLD and to host their event."
Guy Beringer, Senior Partner Allen & Overy LLP
"The BLD has been a welcomed initiative for students like me who seek guidance and support in the legal profession. As we aspire to be the great lawyers of tomorrow the BLD highlights the importance of diversity and the continuous need to help those who are faced with stiff doors in the way of their own dreams and aspirations."
Christiana, LPC Graduate
"BLD is an excellent resource to use to find out about workshops and open days at law firms that will help you find that illusive training contract. There is a great support network and mentor programme that really works. The BLD is an invaluable organisation to improve diversity in the legal profession."
Ursula, LPC Graduate
''BLD has been invaluable in the push for diversity in the legal market. Personally, I have received a lot of inspiration and encouragement from attending successful events organised by BLD and mentoring from a lawyer in a top City law firm.''
Omosuyi, Second Year Law Student
"I was pleasantly surprised to receive my first BLD newsletter from a colleague. At last, this was a quality forum for black lawyers, dedicated to promotiong quality, high standards and achievement, as well as showcasing talent within the black legal community. Within a day of contacting BLD, a meeting was set up at which my immediate needs were correctly identified. BLD was able to address those needs in a practical way, and did so within the time frame promised. Excellent!"
Abi, Solicitor
"I applaud the founder of the BLD for her vision and enthusiasm in striving to provide opportunities for ethnic minorites to gain an equal access into the legal profession. BLD provides invaluable resources in terms of opening opportunities for networking for prospective lawyers. I have benefited enormously from the organisation's workshops which have been very informative and useful in terms of directing one to the varied opportunities that are available within the legal profession and also the mentoring scheme. Keep up the good work!"
Patricia, Second Year Law Student