We have a strong sense of corporate responsibility, both as a responsible employer and a member of the business community. We care about how we do business and strive to operate to the highest standards in everything we do.

As a trainee, you will be encouraged to participate in our corporate responsibility programme which includes:

1. Community volunteering
2. Charity committee
3. Pro bono advice
4. Environmental programme

Community volunteering

We are actively involved in mentoring programmes for school-aged children in the local community, and trainees pay a key role in the success of these programmes. Projects that our trainees are currently involved in include:

• Skills mentoring programme for Year 11 students in Bristol
• Reading buddy scheme Year 7 students in Bristol
• Skills workshops for children excluded from school in London
• Media training skills workshops for inner-City school children in London
• Skill! – “Dragon’s Den” skills day in London

Similar programmes have been identified in Reading and are in the early stages of implementation.

Charity committee

As a trainee you will be encouraged to join the firm's charity committee. The main fundraising activities organised by the committee each year include the Macmillan Coffee Morning, quiz nights, 'Auction of Promises' and a cycle ride from London to Paris.

Pro bono advice

As a firm we have made, and continue to make, a real difference to charities and community organisations we help on a pro bono basis. Our pro bono programme aims to assist local community organisations and charities that are not able to pay for legal advice, or where public funding is not available.

Environmental programme

We have an Eco team which is made up from volunteers from all parts of the firm with the aim of assisting the frm to improve its environmental performance through the implementation of a range of projects. These include:

• Carbon footprint – production of carbon audit with external consultants across our UK offices and collaboration with the Legal Sector Alliance, working with (and donating to) environmental charity 'The Converging World'
• Energy saving – working with external consultants on energy saving measures across our offices
• Travel – implementation of a successful Cycle to Work Scheme, annual participation in Jam Busting June (a national  initiative to encourage the use of public transport), Bicycle User Group.