The research, conducted by the London Solicitors Litigation Association (LSLA) and NLJ, found 95% in favour of action to promote mental health, such as less emphasis on billable hours and respecting holidays and weekends. Some 89% of the 148 respondents believe agile working should be available post-Covid, while flexible working and wellbeing support for lawyers were seen as important.
Asked whether their firm’s approach to diversity and inclusion has improved in the past 12 months, 86% said it has. Unsurprisingly, 93% think more needs to be done within the profession―specific areas highlighted by respondents were tackling racism and racial discrimination, promoting and supporting social mobility, ensuring diversity in senior management, focusing on creating an inclusive workplace culture and eliminating bias in recruitment, evaluation and promotion.
LSLA president Chris Bushell, partner at Herbert Smith Freehills, said: ‘Although there has been a willingness to discuss mental health in the legal profession and across society as a whole in the last few years and embrace agile working, 2020 saw a real step change.
‘It is a similar story when we look at diversity and inclusion. Real progress is being made (which is fantastic), but there is still a long way to go and we cannot rest on our laurels.’
Also in the survey, three-quarters of respondents say the litigation market is growing (compared to only 44% last year), 82% predict a rise in litigation due to cross-border issues post-Brexit, and 89% expect a spike in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some 89% of lawyers responding also believe courts of the future should make greater use of virtual hearings.
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