DLA Piper has been named one of the 50 top UK employers for social mobility.

The firm, which has offices in Belfast and is expanding into Dublin, is #46 in the Social Mobility Employer Index, a joint initiative by the Social Mobility Foundation and the Social Mobility Commission, in partnership with the City of London Corporation.

The ranking recognises the firm’s work to enable those from lower socio-economic backgrounds to succeed. Measures taken by the firm include its involvement with the PRIME and Pathways to Law programmes, and its own global Break Into Law programme.

Last week, the firm launched its Global Scholarships programme, which provides financial support and a series of global placements to law students from the world’s least developed countries.

Sandra Wallace, UK managing partner at DLA Piper, said: “We are pleased to have made progress in this area, and look forward to building further on this achievement in years to come.

“In the 21st century workplace we should be attracting the broadest range of talent to the legal profession, regardless of background, and addressing the barriers to careers within the legal sector for under-represented groups.”

David Johnston, chief executive of the Social Mobility Foundation, said: “All the Top 50 firms in the Social Mobility Employer Index should be applauded for the progress they are making towards ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to get in and get on – regardless of their background.

“They should be congratulated both for having prioritised social mobility and for being prepared to have their processes and practices independently scrutinised.”