Simmons & Simmons hosts first LGBT forum meeting

On 18 March, Simmons & Simmons hosted the first meeting of the new InterLaw Forum for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender ("LGBT") Networks ("InterLaw"). The meeting was a resounding success with more than 80 attendees from 24 City law firms and members of some of the world’s top investment banks.

InterLaw is an inter-organizational forum that was established for LGBT networks in top London law firms to work together to enhance LGBT equality and diversity in the legal sector. The first meeting was designed as an opportunity to plan the membership, structure and activities for InterLaw moving forward.

The high profile guest speakers at the inaugural meeting included Ben Summerskill, Chief Executive of Stonewall, the UK’s leading campaigning organization for LGB equality, speaking on the importance of the legal sector and the role of inter-organisational working to enhance LGB equality and diversity; and Tim Hailes, Managing Director & Associate General Counsel of JP Morgan, providing a client’s perspective regarding LGBT equality in the provision of legal services. The panel was chaired by Daniel Winterfeldt of Simmons & Simmons and included representatives of top city law firms, including Francis Ideyhen of Clifford Chance, Carolyn Lee of Herbert Smith, Alun Davis of Lovells and Jeremy Cruse of Simmons & Simmons.

Daniel Winterfeldt, InterLaw founder and Simmons & Simmons corporate partner spoke at the event, ”Solitude vivifies; isolation kills.” wrote Joseph Roux, a French pastor in the 19th century. Let us hope that with InterLaw’s launch the LGBT community in the City legal sector can help to end isolation and continue the movement forward, along with organizations like Stonewall, to strengthen LGBT diversity and continue to cultivate an environment in City law firms that promotes the recruitment, retention and advancement of LGBT talent at all levels in law firms.”

Sasha Hardman, Associate Director at Allen & Overy, says:"A&O is committed to creating an environment where all of our people feel included. We are very pleased to be participating in the InterLaw Forum as we believe it will be an important and practical vehicle for increasing awareness of LGBT inclusion and equality in the legal profession. We look forward to continuing our involvement with the InterLaw Forum and as a Stonewall Diversity Champion, with the support of our own LGBT network A&Out."