A Norfolk law firm has won an award for its commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Birketts, a Norwich-based solicitors, was handed the Norfolk and Norwich Law Society Excellence Award for its initiatives.

The firm was praised for its specific programmes for women, including the "clearing the pathway to leadership" and "pathway to partner" initiatives.

These schemes have helped increase the number of female partners at the firm to 41pc, a 13pc rise since 2020.

The firm has also been lauded for its social mobility initiatives.

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These include a partnership with the careers and enterprise company, legal apprenticeships and inclusion monitoring.

Birketts has also launched the social mobility insight into law experience (SMILE), a week-long programme for Year 12 students who meet social mobility criteria.

It also provides platforms for employees to connect, share experiences, and advocate for positive change within the business.

These include the LGBTQI+ network, different minds network, parental network, social mobility network, and wisdom network.

The award also recognised Birketts' commitment to local pro bono and philanthropic initiatives.

In the 2023-24 year the firm donated 1,210 hours to pro bono initiatives, including Norfolk ProHelp.

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The Birketts charitable fund raised and distributed £26,000 for nine Norfolk-based charitable initiatives.

Bernadette Baker, chair of Birketts’ people and culture committee, said: “We are truly delighted to have received this recognition for the work we have been doing in relation to equality, diversity and inclusion.

"It is so encouraging to see that the firm’s initiatives are bearing fruit and making a huge difference.

"We set ourselves ambitious targets when it comes to being an inclusive law firm and we will continue to do so.”