Leading global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer has strengthened its partnership with UK accessibility platform Sociability, building on its pro bono relationship to help make its workplaces more accessible and inclusive. The expanded partnership reflects the firm's broader efforts to reduce barriers and create more accessible experiences for disabled colleagues, clients, and visitors.
As the first law firm to partner with Sociability in this way, the firm is developing accessibility profiles of its London offices, Exchange House, and Exchange Square, together with key surrounding routes and amenities. Sociability maps precise, real-world details across physical, visual and sensory dimensions, including information on step-free access, lifts, meeting rooms, accessible toilets, lighting, noise levels and other environmental considerations. The platform enables real-time updates when circumstances change, helping to ensure accessibility information remains accurate, current and reliable.
Samantha Brown Managing Partner, Employment, Pensions and Incentives, UK and EMEA, commented: "The insights generated through the Sociability platform will help us better understand how our spaces are experienced and identify opportunities to further enhance accessibility, remove hidden barriers, and foster a responsive corporate environment where everyone can fully participate. As the first law firm to partner with Sociability in this way, we are proud to be taking practical steps to improve accessibility and help set a benchmark for the legal sector."
Partner Dylan Doran Kennett added: "Accessibility is fundamental to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can participate fully and perform at their best. We are delighted to be deepening our relationship with Sociability, building on a successful pro bono partnership that has grown into a broader collaboration focused on improving accessibility and removing barriers. Supporting innovative organisations like Sociability reflects our commitment to driving positive impact both within our firm and beyond."
Matt Pierri, founder and CEO of Sociability, added: "We are thrilled to support HSF Kramer in its ambition to build a more accessible, inclusive and welcoming workplace for all. Over the years, we've seen first-hand HSF Kramer's commitment to driving innovation and inclusion in the impact investment and social finance space. We're proud to see this same passion being turned inward as it leads the charge towards a legal sector that fosters work environments in which truly everyone can thrive from day one."
The firm's support of the platform forms part of its broader Leading for Inclusion strategy, and specifically its ongoing commitment to create a more inclusive, diverse, and accessible workplace.