<< CMS Diversity & Inclusion Charter
In many international locations we are proud of the progress yet recognise we need to keep improving. Across our 75+ CMS offices we have many examples of pioneering and inspiring work.
We demonstrate our commitment to women in leadership roles. There are many examples of women in high-profile board and business leadership roles across the firm, such as the Chair of the Council of CMS, Senior and Managing Partners in our firms, as well as many Heads of Practice Area and Sector Groups that all work closely with our clients all over the world.
Our member firms are working towards gender equality on their boards. In some of our member firms, the board already comprises 50% women and also representation from LGBTQ and other diversities.
Our Global Executive Committee is well established with 30% women and a highly diversified and inclusive representation from across CMS.
In some of our firms, we have implemented maternity and paternity schemes, for example, an innovative programme called Time Out available to all partners and colleagues in the UK.
Social mobility is also a priority and our CMS Law Scholarship is in its 10th year helping disadvantaged young people become lawyers.
For the 6th consecutive year we have been recognized as a Times Top 50 Employer For Women.
“Enable”, our disability and mental health network is now in its 8th year and we are proud to be working with The GC 100 to improve inclusion and diversity in the legal industry.
With our expansion across Africa, we embrace diversity of ethnicity and also promote BAME representation in our leadership. In South Africa our firm is a leader in black empowerment and ranks at the top level above all other international firms.
A culture of diversity and inclusion is fundamental to CMS’s success – as an employer and as a business partner to our clients. In this charter, we outline our beliefs and commitments, and how we, the CMS management, plan to deliver on them. However, a strong culture only develops through the daily interactions between people: Therefore, we encourage everyone at CMS to ensure that we foster diversity and practice inclusion in all aspects of our business every day.
Pierre-Sébastien Thill, CMS Chairman, CMS France
We are committed to making diversity and inclusion central in everything we do. It means that all careers in CMS can thrive and that we can excel in the delivery of our legal services for our clients. It also makes our firm a more rewarding place to work and a strong and sustainable business. We embrace differences and encourage diversity of people, views and experiences for the benefit of all.
