Diversity, Equality & Inclusion

Coodes is committed to promoting diversity, equality and inclusion.

We are committed to creating and promoting an environment that recognises and celebrates the breadth of the communities that we serve; an environment that empowers all of our people to bring their whole self to work and make the best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment. To ensure that this mindset of equity and inclusion is embedded from the outset and every level within the firm, all of our staff receive DE&I training at their introduction to Coodes and we review and update best practice on a regular basis.

At Coodes, we do everything within our power to ensure that everyone within our team – from partners to job applicants – enjoys the same opportunities to develop and progress and to build a rewarding career, knowing that they are valued and respected for who they are and what they contribute to our clients and our success as a firm.

We are committed to developing a skilled team that reflects the diversity of perspectives and experience of our country and, in particular, of the South West. We promote diversity in all its forms, including those that are sometimes less visible or given less prominence, such as age and disability, including conditions that are not immediately apparent. Within Coodes there is a huge span of ages, from Gen Z to baby boomers, and a recognition that age diversity enriches our firm and our ability to serve such a broad community of clients. We have proactively sought to create an environment in which our people can be open about the health challenges they may be facing. This has enabled us to work in partnership with them and, where appropriate, outside professionals to ensure equality of opportunity.

Gender balance is a critical part of our commitment to DE&I and, unlike some parts of the legal sector, this extends to our leadership team and business ownership, where female colleagues have a strong and influential presence. We have been proactive in adopting the flexible working practices that both appeal to and help to maximise the potential of working mothers and those going through the menopause.

We are proud to be able to offer employment and training opportunities to people in the Cornwall and Devon, which, despite their picturesque beauty and density of second homes, are home to some of the most socially and economically deprived areas of the country. As a firm we actively support and promote social mobility, a theme that is becoming increasingly prominent with the legal sector as traditional stereotypes about what a lawyer should be like are challenged. To this end, we have embraced the new routes qualification available through both the SRA and CILEX. We also actively reach out to our local schools and colleges through careers fairs and formal programmes with local providers to expose more and different people to the possibility of a career in law.

We monitor the diversity of our staff every other year and publish the results of our survey, supporting the Solicitors Regulation Authority in its commitment to promoting Equality and Diversity within the legal sector, to ensure the profession is as open as it can be to individuals of all backgrounds, interests, ages etc. to increase diversity and social mobility within the legal workforce.

The last survey was conducted in June 2023 and the results can be viewed here.