Harnessing diversity and developing inclusion

CMS Francis Lefebvre’s model and its international dimension inspire us to take the view that the diversity of cultures, talent, backgrounds and experiences is as much an asset for our community as it is an important performance driver for our clients.

Fostering diversity and inclusion

In 2021, by becoming a signatory of the French Diversity Charter, along with some 4,100 other companies, CMS Francis Lefebvre transformed its conviction into a commitment, that of combating all forms of discrimination and promoting diversity.

Remaining open to all without bias or discrimination. Technical skills, human and relational qualities, alignment with our values, and of course the aptitude to take on our assignments and understand the challenges faced by our clients are the only prerequisites in our recruitment process. Provided these prerequisites are met, we offer anyone the opportunity to join us, without exclusion.

Encouraging diversity. Special attention is paid to young graduates to diversify our recruitment, as we give all applicants a chance regardless of their academic, geographic or social origins. Our firm works to promote diversity by offering young people from disadvantaged backgrounds the possibility to complete an internship with us through the programme “Un stage pour tous” (An internship for everyone). It is a way to introduce them to a professional environment far removed from their local labour market and give them a chance to choose and make a success of their future career.

Acting for young talent. With a view to helping young people and attracting the best talent, the firm pursues a proactive policy focused on students through several initiatives:

— Job fair. For the past five years, our firm has held its own annual job fair to allow students to apply for internships in all practice areas: 145 CVs received, 59 interviews conducted, 21 participating lawyers.

— Opportunities to meet. We meet regularly with students at the firm or on campuses. Many of the firm’s lawyers give presentations and engage in discussions with students at universities and law schools.

— Sponsorship. Through skills sponsorship initiatives, our lawyers offer support to a number of student associations, incluing the PSL-Dauphine Legal Clinic and the Association des Juristes de Sciences Po.

— Awards. We nurture young talent through awards presented by the firm to the most deserving students. The DJCE Award recognises the best students of the 11 corporate legal advice postgraduate degree programmes in France for their project management skills as part of a multidisciplinary team. The DPRT Award for graduates of the master’s programme in labour law and relations at Université Paris Panthéon-Assas recognises the best thesis of the previous academic year. The Employment Law Research Award is given to the student in the corresponding master’s programme at Université Paris Panthéon-Assas with the best academic performance. The MEJI Award is presented to the three best students in France studying for a master’s in real estate law.

improving gender balance at the firm

CMS Francis Lefebvre promotes equality between women and men in terms of remuneration and professional development. The firm has put a specific policy in place to meet this objective, which is spearheaded by the Management Board and the Supervisory Board. A steering committee comprised of 14 partners, evenly split between women and men, defines action plans and sees to their implementation, develops indicators to track progress, and takes charge of coordination with the firm’s various stakeholders. Communications and awareness campaigns have been conducted within the firm in support of this policy. An action plan has been in operation for three years to accompany career development for women lawyers within our firm.

Achievements include is the launch of two training programmes:

— Young female talent, on building a successful career, intended for female lawyers who have been with the firm for between three and eight years.

— Self-marketing, on building a personal branding strategy, intended for female lawyers who have been with the firm for more than eight years.

An ambitious mentoring programme

CMS Francis Lefebvre has launched a mentoring programme open to female lawyers who have been with the firm for between five and eight years. Offered on a volunteer basis, the aim of the programme is to assist these young women with their career development within the firm. Mentees benefit from the support and experience of mentors to further their development and achieve the career goals they set for themselves. The mentoring relationship is based upon openness, dialogue and mutual respect. Its success rests on a commitment by both parties.

80 female lawyers supported through our mentoring and training programmes.

Being a mentor has helped with my own confidence while becoming more proactive and empowered to contribute ideas. I’ve also been able to further develop my network within the firm. I work in a profession that I chose and that I truly enjoy. Mentoring gives me the opportunity to wear my two hats, as a lawyer and a woman.

Virginie Roche, associate

Mentoring is a wonderful opportunity for sharing and learning through a mutually beneficial relationship. It is as fulfilling and empowering for the mentor as it is for the mentee. Creating or deepening a relationship, fostering diversity and opening doors are all objectives that we can be passionate about pursuing. They are the key elements of an experience that I have thoroughly enjoyed.

Frédéric Gerner, partner

Our diversity and inclusion policy is in accordance with the one developed by CMS at the global level. For more information, click here: : https://cms.law/en/int/about-cms/responsible-business/cms-diversity-inclusion-charter