BAME lawyers to beat ‘impostor syndrome’

BLACK, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) lawyers are to be trained how to overcome “impostor syndrome” in an attempt to stop them abandoning their legal careers.

Hogan Lovells, a global law firm, is trialling a new mentoring scheme to boost the retention and promotion of its staff from diverse backgrounds.

The Included programme will cover topics including “identity and authenticity, inclusive behaviour, overcoming impostor syndrome, self-awareness, relationship building and networking, and personal brand”. Impostor syndrome is the feeling that you are not good enough to hold a particular position and could be exposed as incompetent. Trainees will be invited to attend voluntary two-hour group sessions hosted by an external company and guest speakers. The sessions will run for six months.

It is hoped the course will improve the retention of junior lawyers, as well as ensure talented BAME employees move up the ranks into senior roles.

Crispin Rapinet, Hogan Lovells’ training principal and partner, said: “We’ve been very open that a core part of our strategy is to increase diversity throughout our firm, and at the highest ranks. Recruiting, retaining and advancing our under-represented talent is key to ensuring a diverse pipeline.”

Hogan Lovells previously offered lawyers the chance to set aside up to 50 billable hours for inclusion activities.

Diversity of law firms has come under the spotlight in recent years.

The proportion of BAME lawyers working in firms in England and Wales has increased from 14 per cent in 2014 to 21 per cent in 2017, according to the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

This figure has since remained unchanged, with one in five lawyers from BAME backgrounds in 2020.