Law firm Gordons has appointed commercial litigation solicitor and Leeds Law Society president Catherine Woodward (pictured above, right) as its head of diversity and inclusion (D&I).

Woodward joined Gordons in 2011 and qualified as a solicitor in the firm’s dispute resolution department in 2015.

As Leeds Law Society president, she helped the Society’s D&I committee instigate its inaugural D&I conference in September 2020. This was the first conference of its type held by any UK Law Society and, following its success, is now an annual event.

The role at Gordons has been created to place emphasis on the firm's ongoing commitment to D&I, and to raise awareness of its importance within the legal sector.

In 2011, Gordons launched its legal apprenticeship scheme. The firm was the first to offer an apprenticeship taking its chartered legal executive lawyers to the maximum Level 6, which is an honours degree equivalent.

Woodward commented: 'Gordons is a progressive firm and one which has always naturally embraced diversity and inclusion due to its long-established values and people.

'As head of diversity and inclusion, I have been empowered to drive forward the firm’s existing initiatives, create new ones and forge partnerships with like-minded individuals and organisations.

'Our people and our clients are fully supportive of the approach we are taking, and it is the firm’s ambition to be regarded as a diversity and inclusion exemplar in the legal sector and beyond.'

Gordons partner and member of the firm’s executive board Victoria Davey (pictured above, left) said: 'Catherine is the ideal person to be our of head of diversity and inclusion. She is hugely passionate about it, and this translates directly into her drive and ambition to ensure Gordons leads from the front regarding this very important workplace and societal issue.

'Everyone at the firm is aligned in wanting to further enhance diversity and inclusion in the legal sector. Catherine will ensure we continue to deliver against that objective for the benefit of our people and clients.'

Gordons has offices in Leeds and Bradford.

 

 

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