Kanika Kitchlu-Connolly

This Black History Month 2023, the firm has set a target of 35 per cent ethnic minority representation across its early career roles (trainees and apprentices) to be achieved by October 2030 — driving an increase in ethnic minority representation in its early careers roles from one in five to one in three.

The new target forms part of the firm’s apprenticeship strategy, which aims to open the legal sector to different backgrounds and offer future talent an alternative pathway other than to university.

TLT offers both a legal solicitor apprenticeship, aimed at ambitious and motivated employees, school leavers or career changers and a graduate solicitor apprenticeship, aimed at internal applicants who have a degree.

Kanika Kitchlu-Connolly, partner at TLT and sponsor of the firm’s ethnic diversity network, commented: “I am really pleased to see the firm take this initial step towards increasing diversity throughout our business and committing to ensuring we have the resource to get us there.”

John Wood, managing partner at TLT, said: “We have a responsibility as an organisation to look at how we can open up the legal sector and give people from different backgrounds the opportunity to consider a career in law.

“We are committed to improving diversity at TLT by investing in our early careers, doubling our efforts to raise awareness amongst young people of the career opportunities in law and to continue to create an inclusive working environment.

“There is still a long way to go, however I am confident that we are one step ahead and are paving the way to diversifying the legal sector.”