Dentons, the world’s largest global law firm, has been recognized as a leading employer for inclusion and diversity – winning seven awards at the Social Impact EMEA Awards 2024 organized by Legal Benchmarking Group. Dentons was the most awarded law firm at the event, which recognizes elite firms championing inclusion within the workplace.  The event took place at the Waldorf Hilton in London on September 12, 2024.

Within Europe, Dentons won the award for Affinity Support Network of the Year for its GLOW Europe LGBT+ network which raises awareness, fosters allyship, and creates a safe and welcoming working environment for LGBT+ colleagues.  The network holds webinars and events, including the annual Pride week, and is also actively engaged in providing pro bono legal advice to NGOs supporting LGBT+ human rights.  The Firm also received the award for Allyship Programme of the Year for its Allyship Pod Program, in which personnel convene in small groups on a regular basis to have open and honest discussions around topics related to inclusion and diversity.  

Adam Mycyk, a Partner in the Kyiv office, received the Visionary Leader Award for his dedication to driving inclusion within Dentons through his leadership of the GLOW Europe LGBT+ affinity group, as well as his pro bono work to Safebow, aiding the evacuation of LGBTQ+ individuals from Ukraine, and to Equaversity, ensuring access to medical supplies and assistance for transgender and HIV-infected Ukrainians. 

The Ukrainian Pro Bono Collective – a collaborative initiative involving the NGO European Lawyers in Lesvos (ELIL) and law firms Dentons, Hogan Lovells, Allen & Overy, White & Case, Norton Rose Fulbright and Bird & Bird – was awarded Social Impact Case of the Year.  The project provides free legal aid to Ukrainian refugees in Poland.

Commenting on the news, Elliott Portnoy – Dentons’ Global CEO said “We continue to put inclusion, diversity and equity at the center of everything we do – not just because it is the right thing to do – but because by doing so we are better equipped to advise our clients who seek different viewpoints and perspectives from us to drive the best solutions. We are delighted with this recognition and will continue to find ways to create an environment where allyship, candid conversations and greater inclusion prevail.”

Within Africa, Dentons Hamilton Harrison & Matthews in Kenya received the award for Social Mobility Program of the Year in recognition of its impactful CSR real estate training initiative with the Narasha Community Development Group in Naivasha, Kenya.

Within the Middle East, Yaqdhan Al Busaidi Law Firm, Dentons’ associated firm in Oman, was recognized for the Inclusive Recruitment Programme of the Year and also received the award for Professional Development Programme of the Year. Two thirds of Dentons qualified lawyers in association with Yaqdhan Al Busaidi Law Firm are Omani nationals of varying degrees of seniority. Dentons was the first law firm to create a specific training programme for Omani lawyers to qualify as solicitors in England & Wales. The firm's Omani colleagues are fully involved in all the transactions that teams are working on, giving them the ideal platform to forge and develop their skillsets and career within the legal sector.

Earlier this year, Dentons Muscat participated in a formal Insight Scheme for Omani Law Students aimed at supporting early career development and supporting Omanisation.  For the participating students, this experience is a significant step in their career development, offering them a competitive edge in possibly securing a Training Contract and presents an opportunity for Dentons to contribute to the development of the local workforce and identify potential future trainees.

Dentons also provides future focused development opportunities, including specific milestone programmes, helping talent to reach achieve their potential and reach their career goals at key stages in their careers.

About Dentons

Across over 80 countries, Dentons helps you grow, protect, operate and finance your organization by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, we focus on what matters most to you. www.dentons.com