I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: i don't exactly shout it from the rooftops and probably wouldn't feel happy outing myself to the partners, but all my trainee friends don't bat an eyelid and i don't feel it is an issue at all.
I work at this sort of firm: city
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: Generally OK. The people I work with know I'm gay. I don't hide it, but I don't force it on them either. I don't think that it has made much difference to me.
Historically, when working in a regional firm it did. It was discussed at the partnership level in order to determine whether it would hinder my career prospects. I had to give assurances I would be discrete (whilst it was acknowledged this smacked of double standards-there were non-discrete womanising wife cheating partners, and yet my being gay was a worse thing). In the event it didn't hinder me. Initial reservations soon fell away (and this was 10 years ago).
Since working in London (for some 6 years now), it's not really been a problem. The akward moments come mainly in client situations. For example, I'll be in a meeting with clients and colleagues, and there'll be chat about something...maybe football. A client makes a comment about a player playing like a "poof", and there's an akwardness. My colleagues don't want to tell their client it's not appropriate. So they'll laugh along, but knowing it's not so funny. That makes me cringe-and there is a difference because the client wouldn't comment on a person's colour or race, and if they did perhaps then they might be told quietly, aside, that it's not an appropriate comment to make.
The only thing is that in my current firm I don't know any other gay lawyers. In my last, my own team had 3, and in the department there were another couple. I suspect it's a reflection still that we still need to hide a little, or at least not be ourselves!
I work at this sort of firm: City
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: Fine! I started at a regional firm and was open about being gay as a trainee. I found it never hampered my career development or relationships with my collegues. I remained at that firm until 3 years PQE doing corporate work and they didn't want me to leave. I respect the personal choices and private lives of the people I work with as I expect them to do with me and I don't recognise the picture of being excluded in any way in my career that was painted by the report. I now work in a 'macho corporate' environment (as the Law Society would have you believe) at a top national firm - DLA Piper - and have been open with my sexuality with all of my colleagues. To date, I don't consider that it has been a problem and (as far as I know!) I am developing good relationships with all of my workmates. I even like drinking lager and would find a trip to Spearmint Rhino highly amusing if anyone wanted to go!!!
I work at this sort of firm: National - DLA Corporate
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: I recently started a training contract and found myself coming out to a few of the fellow trainees at a drinks event. I hadn't intended to do so that early on, thinking I would keep things quiet for a while. But I have been out for years, am very happy with who I am and I have always refused to lie about it, so coming out was inevitable. I wont exactly be screaming it at the partners, but there's no reason not to share it with my fellow trainees. Otherwise they would never truly get to know the real me. It is a very important part of who I am. I refuse to lead a double life. The professional/private life distinction just isn't me. I want to have a successful legal career and I wont bond with my workmates or progress in the firm if the whole time I'm afraid of people asking about my private life and how I'm going to answer them. People will always wonder, sooner or later they will ask, so perhaps its better to out yourself and let everyone move on. The reaction so far has been very positive. At the moment I'm testing the water at trainee level, but I don't envisage any problems from other members of the firm.
I work at this sort of firm: City
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: Mixed. I'd say you still get the odd homophobic comment from less educated (industry) clients or the M&A lawyer crowd. Not so with employment and commercial to the same degree.
I work at this sort of firm: City and Ftse 250 inhouse
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: I am currently 3years pqe working at a city firm. Am openly gay to my friends, but have no idea how many of the partners know. It does not concern me whether people know or not as I honestly do not think I am or would be treated any differently nor do I think my 'gayness' will ever impact on my career prospects.
My experience of being gay and a lawyer has been very positive one, but, I do think that the way you are treated has a lot to do with the way you handle yourself. I am 'straight' acting and down to earth (even if I do say so myself) and feel no need to make any sort of overt statement about my sexuality but I do recognise that some people do. I therefore do not think 'how 'gay' people are treated' in law firms is a black and white issue.
I am sure there are many gay lawyers from the magic circle right down to the high street who have suffered terribly as a result of discrimination, but the only negative stories I have ever heard concern gay lawyers who feel they have to make some sort of issue about their sexuality and have made people feel unconformable because of their behaviour. To be honest, if there was an overtly gay camp man in my office who had to relate everything back to the fact he was gay I would feel uncomfortable, the same as I would if there were Buddhist in the office who preached their views all day.
I am very much of the opinion that the way people are treated in law is 90% to do with the quality of their work and whether they are making the partners money and 10% whether the partners like you or not. Yes, there are going to be partners who are homophobic and don't like gay lawyers, but there are partners who are racist, anti-Semitic, heightist, sexist. I am not saying it is acceptable, but it is the way the world is.
I appreciate that I might just be very lucky in the experiences I have had, but I genuinely do not think there is an underlying problem with homophobia in law firms.
p.s. I drink pints and watch rugby and football but have never been to Spearmint Rhino
I work at this sort of firm: City
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: Pretty positive (my boyfriend gets invited to social stuff that the Firm lays on), but there still appears to be an underlying assumption that your personal life is not as valid as another colleague with a wife and kids. Trying to get time off for my Civil Partnership was pretty impossible, and there is sometimes a "footy and birds" culture in a big firm which can be (pointlessly) disconcerting. Even though some gay guys like football, not many like Spearmint Rhino...
I work at this sort of firm: National office of City firm
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: very good indeed. Loads of homos where I work and the firm could not care less. I have never encountered any prejudice from any colleagues or any clients and am pretty sure it would not in any way hamper my career progression. I enjoy rugby, drinking pints (and the occasional pink gin) and went with clients to a (female) pole dancing club and had a most enjoyable chat with Kate, one of the dancers - a thoroughly good evening out.
I work at this sort of firm: City
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: Not too bad. If it comes up in conversation, I'm happy to be be openly gay although I wouldn't shout it from the rooftops as it's a personal issue.
Maybe I've been lucky, but personally I think gaining acceptance has as much to do with your own approach to your sexuality than it does other people's opinions. If I waltzed into my office as camp as Christmas and tried to negotiate a multi-million pound agreement, maybe some eyebrows would be raised and maybe some people would question my ability to do my job. But I think I act appropriately and I've never known my sexuality be raised as an issue.
Having said all that, I do believe it is something law firms should be careful about. I do not work in a "Spearmint Rhino entertaining" department. But if I did, it could be awkward to make work relationships with people on the same level as those who did engage in such "entertainment". Not necessarily a sexuality issue - I would imagine many lawyers don't enjoy such things, and a law firm should take care not to let such activities get out of hand for all sorts of reasons, not just that it might end up facing claims of discrimination by gay lawyers.
Large City firms afford a degree of anonimity. I would have thought the problem is more difficult in smaller firms. But then, perhaps gay lawyers recognise that as an issue and therefore chose not to apply to smaller firms (if they have a choice).
I work at this sort of firm: City office of national firm
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: Limited so far... they know of my sexuality but so far have said nothing, I've not hidden it but then I don't flaunt it. I want to them to know me for being good at my job, not being 'gay' and good at my job. I've had the chance to take my partner (sexual) to a partners (work) do... but decided against it for that very reason: they are almost all WASP. The only way to change it, is to be adult about it, not thrust it in 'their' faces.
I work at this sort of firm: City
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: Given the photos you have shown of what you straight men are thinking are glam solicitors then i have no hope for a fulfilling relationship at any big firm
I work at this sort of firm: small
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: Fairly good.
There seems to be many gay associates and partners, and certainly all of my trainee intake know I'm gay. It's not an issue and I hope it continues not to be throughout my career.
I work at this sort of firm: City
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: It's absolutely no issue. I didn't come out when I was a trainee, but that was more to do with my own confidence, rather than homophobia at the firm. There was the odd person who might say homophobic things, but that's no different from anywhere else in life. The firm is interested in my contribution to work, not my sexuality. My boyfriend is known to all my colleagues and welcomed at social events. I categorically did not recognise the report in the Metro/Gazette as reflecting my own experience.
I work at this sort of firm: SJ Berwin
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: Apart from a recent bit of gossip started by a partner known both for general drunkenness and for perving all over female trainees, my experience has been fine (though I think that sort of thing must happen in every workplace). Everyone knows that I am gay, but being an essentially private person I rarely talk about my private life anyway. I see no reason why this would hinder my career.
I work at this sort of firm: City
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: I am a gay law student. I am not concerned by the suggestions that city law firms are inherently homophobic. Personally I look forward to working in a competitive environment which may involve mutual 'piss taking', or perhaps I should call it an environment that one is not scared at laughing at ones self in. However I am a (slightly) mature student and I have worked in environments where macho bravado is much more prevalent than it is in any of the legal professions and I can honestly say my sexuality has neither been a hindrance nor a benefit in my professional life, nor do I foresee it to be in the future. In today's modern society I do not believe sexuality is of much consequence to anyone except the person whose sexuality it is.
I work at this sort of firm: student
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: nothing but wonderful. As a former senior para-legal (who is taking a short career break after 35 years!!) I cannot praise enough the support & encouragement I received from all partners & support staff alike, within a well-known corporate firm for the last 24 years! My sexuality as an extrovert lesbian was never an issue and did not in any way hinder my progression within the profession. - I only wished I had been invited to those famous rugby matches!!!
I work at this sort of firm: National
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: A few years ago I acted for a young man employed by a Magic Circle firm, and a rising star. He consulted HR about whether the firm would have a problem with him coming out. Certainly not, he was told. You must feel free to come out. So he did, and it was a disaster. His head of department was told by the senior partner to get rid of him, and eventually that's what he did. I do not believe for one moment that prejudice and discrimination no longer exist.
I work at this sort of firm: I worked then at a City firm
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: Never been an issue, a couple of partners here are openly gay which helps. It amazes me how uninformed some people still are. Note to Law Soc: get with the programme.
I work at this sort of firm: City
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: 1. Read the study - it doesn't say that. It's foolish of you to go off on one about the Daily Mail stable talking nonsense (this is a surprise?) rather than focussing on the really pretty sensible and complex and sophisticated things that the study participants had to say. It's also obvious if you read the study that it does include the experiences of solicitors who work in the City.
2. There's usually a bit more to equality, by the way, than having colleagues who are 'not remotely bothered' - some chap banged on about not frightening the horses many decades ago but that's not been regarded as the last word in good practice for some time. Study participants had some interesting things to say about public/private spheres and the way that perceptions have changed over the years in that area.
3. An article in the Metro is going to put people off a career in the law? Don't be ridiculous - we all know we have to do something to pay the mortgage and it's very unlikely to outweigh a countervailing discourse associating the job with justice and fairness in the mind of anyone bright enough to do the job.
4. I work in a relatively large high street practice where I am the only gay solicitor as far as I know, but in the 10 years I've been here there have been others. We've all been out to colleagues, though rarely to clients and one is selective about other professional colleagues too.
The culture of the place would not permit discrimination or harassment at solicitor level (hierarchies are relatively flat in this field) but I wonder sometimes about support staff. I'm quite proud of my firm's quietly positive culture and I dare say that that's the experience and expectation of most of us these days. There is however always room for improvement and I wonder at your resistance to acknowledging what was said. I'm sure attending Spearmint Rhino is nothing to be ashamed of....
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: I am a female lawyer - not gay - and so was surprised to read that the Law Society's main worry, on finding out that bloke lawyers go to strip clubs for corporate entertainment, was re gay men...
I worked for years as one of very few women solicitors in a male dominated corporate team in a city firm and was well aware of the 'macho' norm - and was always perfectly happy to go to the pub/watch footie/rugby with the boys. Strip bars, on the other hand, I think are a little different - although how they offend gay men I don't know...
I was close enough to my colleagues to be considered almost 'one of the lads' and so would fairly regularly hear tales of outings to 'tittie bars'. Difficult to shock and thick-skinned though I consider myself to be, as the owner of my very own pair of 34Cs, I would always be slightly self-conscious when attending meetings with a table full of the very blokes I knew to have been out the night before on a 'tittie bar' bonding session! I think the Law Society have missed the point (again!).
I work at this sort of firm: formerly at City office of national firm
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: Completely positive. I am out to all of my colleagues at work, who do not consider my sexuality to be an issue in any way, shape or form.
I was appalled at the article in the Metro, as I felt it completely misrepresented the City, or at least my experiences of it.
I work at this sort of firm: City
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: Although I am out, some people in the office don't know that I am gay and I find that it is those people who make homophobic comments from time to time. The people who know I am gay tend to be very supportive. What does that say? Everyone is a little bit homophobic although they know it's naughty?!
I work at this sort of firm: City (US)
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: That it hasn't been raised as an issue, although neither have I felt comfortable raising it as one. I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable raising it as an issue at this stage (2 yrs PQE)as so much about career development is dependent on personalities. You don't need partners to have homophobic rants in team meetings to get the impression that you'll stand out like a sore thumb and not be treated as 'one of the lads'.
If i'm honest, I do worry about it quite a lot and feel detached from the rest of the office (having to hide things, like my other half). However, I also think that things would be pretty similar if I did come out - you know that most would be fine and after the initial interet, it would quickly be irrelevant - however, for others it would not and for that reason, I don't see why my homelife should affect my worklife.
In general though - there are many times, particularly at my old firm, where comments were made, the only acceptable insults to call anyone were gay or poof and it generally didn't lead to feeling very accepted.
As for the Law Society getting involved?! Don't make me laugh
I work at this sort of firm: National
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: Absolutely fine! I don't feel a need to tell most people about my sexuality or my personal life - it's irrelevant to my job and I don't chat with partners much about what I get up to at the weekend. I don't keep it a secret, but I don't introduce myself and then add on "by the way, I'm a lesbian"! Those colleagues who I socialise with all know that I'm a gay woman and most of them have met my girlfriend. Without exception they are totally un-phased by it. Perhaps that's because they're mostly around my age (25) and as intelligent young people, they couldn't care less about my sexuality. Frankly, as Associates in a magic circle firm, they all have much more important things to worry about in their daily work life!
I'd be amazed if anyone working in a City firm genuinely found it difficult to be openly gay. We live and work in such a cosmopolitan City - surely we've all seen much more unusual things than two men or two women walking down the street holding hands?
I work at this sort of firm: Magic circle City firm
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: ok I'm not a gay lawyer but... a gay friend of mine passed me the article in the metro commenting that he thought the lawyers were more sexist than homophobic - I have to say I totally agreed, surely going to strip clubs is more degrading to women?
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: positive. My sexuality is no more or less an issue in the office than that of my colleagues (gay, straight or otherwise).
I work at this sort of firm: Medium sized London firm
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: great, plenty of cock and bum fun.
I work at this sort of firm: city
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: I've worked at three large firms (both international and national) and have found that if you work hard, get your job done and are honest with your colleagues, you can be as open as you like.
I work in the "macho" area of corporate law - I only gave up playing rugby two years ago so I could have more time to go out beer drinking with clients and colleagues. The law society should never have claimed to have undertaken a "study" based on 25 people and any young gay law students who are stupid enough to be put off a career in law by what they read in the press are probably not cut out for the job anyway.
The only negative or offensive comments that I have heard have been when people have been unaware of my sexuality. OK, so it's probably not great that people have made those comments in the first place and perhaps that would put some people off "coming out", but once I've been upfront and honest, that's been the end of it. It's quite simple in my mind - you can be who you want to be and be gay, provided you don't let "gay" be you!
I work at this sort of firm: National
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: I work at Linklaters and I am astouded by the number of gay people in the office. There are a lot of us here and I have never had any issues.
I work at this sort of firm: linklaters
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: Fantastic! I am openly gay at the office, with colleagues very accepting and welcoming. There have been no issues for me and for the advancement of my career at the firm. What you are judged on is your performance and if you perform well you will advance.
I work at this sort of firm: City - Freshfields
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: Er, forgive me, but isn't your article a little guilty of bias (or at least being slightly leading) too? In particular the: "if you're a gay lawyer and would like to redress the balance a little". What, by following your line in disagreeing with the 25 you say are un-representative? I agree that 25 is a pathetically small sample, but precisely how many are the "many gay lawyers" that have spoken to you, and who you use in your article as backing up the proposition that City firms are "open", inclusive places? I'm gay, at a Magic Circle firm, and whilst the culture certainly isn't one where homosexuality is in some way demonised or where gays are fired for being gay, etc, it is more subtle than that. For example - did you ask your sample of gay lawyers how many of them would feel comfortable bringing their significant other to the annual firm ball? I know I wouldn't.
I work at this sort of firm: City
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: totally fine. I put my experience running the uni's LGB on my CV and my current firm was totally fine with it. We discussed it in the interview even. As for the actual working experience, it *is* quite a macho culture but, at least at a big firm, there is a good enough mix of cultures and types for everyone to be themselves. No problem at all.
I work at this sort of firm: City - CC
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: I found it easier not to come out at work. There weren't lots of homophonic jokes but there was a macho environment (not least enforced by some female lawyers) which made it difficult. One very out trainee was made redundant a few months after qualification when noone else was being made redundant. Since moving to small US firm, it is much easier because of 15 lawyers, 3 are gay as is the office manager and everyone is a little more grown up and living in the 21st century.
I work at this sort of firm: Magic Circle, now US
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: I was surprised at the recent news stories on this. I can safely say that I have never had any problems or felt uncomfortable being gay here. It's not important for me that everyone knows but those who do or who have met my boyfriend at functions etc are 'cool with it'. There are also a few obvious gay disco bunnies floating around the firm so all in all, I don't imagine we have a problem..
I know we have gay lawyers at all levels, I heard of a female partner (the fag hag?) setting up a gay guy with her gay friend for a blind date. I don't know how the date went though.
I work at this sort of firm: Clifford Chance
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: I (female) am openly gay amongst most of my colleagues and I don't believe homophobia in the law is worse than any other profession, unless you count a dress policy ban on piercings, dungarees and doc marten boots as homophobic...
I work at this sort of firm: National
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: Don't be so sure - to my own direct knowledge one firm is currently trying to get rid of a partner and his homosexuality is a key point in the matter. It may just be a few "nutter partners" - but in this case the "nutter partner" has the power and is pulling the strings. More worryingly, the head of litigation there - whom one must at least presume is not himself a complete nutter, but it can only be a presumption - has actually signed off on a document which asserts that complaining that someone is "not one of us" could not be taken to be a discriminatory comment.
It's not something to be complacent about. I have also come across homophobia in City firms where I have worked.
Am not gay but the above is as I said to my own personal knowledge.
I work at this sort of firm: City - large
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: Freshfields litigation department have a same sex couple both working there, with management's approval.
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: I'm with the Government Legal Service, which has loads of gay lawyers, including several at the very highest levels. A few I have spoken to who are ex-bar and ex-City say that they left the Bar/City because it was so macho.
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: Pretty good actually. I'm basically out at work (without advertising the fact - but I don't edit my conversations either) and in my experience the vast majority of colleagues do not regard the fact that I fancy men as being an issue at all.
Besides I think it's rather rich to suggest that drinking pints and watching rugby is somehow homophobic. Please give me a break!
I work at this sort of firm: City Firm
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: I'm not a gay lawyer but I am a partner in a City firm. I have to say that it is preposterous that anyone's sexuality makes the slightest bit of difference to whether they can do their job properly or how they should be treated by their colleagues or their employer.
My firm and my department have openly gay people, openly straight people, and those about whom nobody knows. Or cares. Clearly there is still a macho culture in some organisations but I personally think the legal profession is not as much of an offender as other financial institutions. If there's any entity that perenially needs to get its house in order then it's the joke that parades under the name of the Law Society.
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: fairly miserable at times - pretty much like most newly-qualifieds and absolutely in no way due to my sexuality. It was not an issue for me being out at work and to be honest nobody seems to give a toss either way. There's plenty of us "out" and about too.
I work at this sort of firm: Magic Circle (Linklaters)
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: Actually I'm not gay, but you might like to know that buried in the small print of the report it tells you that "The final sample for this phase of interviews was comprised of fifteen gay male solicitors and ten lesbian solicitors... The men ... were split evenly between private practice and the employed sector, and between a regional split of London and the North-West. The women ... were split evenly between private practice and the employed sector, and ranged across regions from the South-West and London to the Midlands." On this basis, if half of the 25 are in-house, and at least half of the resulting 6 are from outside London, a maximum of 4 of the survey can be in private practice in Greater London. So say maybe 3 from the City?
I work at this sort of firm: City. Well Hackney actually. But I can see Herbert Smith from my window.
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: Mixed...
Thankfully, I'm comfortable with my sexuality hence I have never felt the need to hide my sexual orientation from my work colleagues when I started work. I talk about my social / personal life to them just like any other person would do. People at work have been alright with it (and why shouldn't they be) and have never treated me any different really. I really believe at the end of the day you're judged with the quality of work you put in.
However, at the other end of the spectrum, I can sympathise with some people who take the view that the profession itself is homophobic. I think this would be gay men / lesbians who are closeted and aren't comfortable with their sexuality. I was in that position before I came out.
I think that people in this group are too sensitive with these issues that any single banter / act (no matter how trivial or unintended), which could be construed as perpetuating the "straight, alpha male stereotype", could be interpreted by this group as homophobic.
Some people might think this to be extreme paranoia, but when you are in that position yourself, you'd realise that it isn't. It's the time of your life when you are trying to muster the courage to come out and you get paranoid with a lot of things...Will they treat me differently if I come out? Will they not be friends with me? Will they laugh behind my back? For those who expect that the answer to all these questions is yes, then they have no other choice but stay closeted and conform with the straight stereotype. (I even have a friend who works in one of the Magic Circle firms who says that he will never introduce his partner to his work colleagues ever, no matter how long he's been with the law firm.) And this experience could be quite miserable, especially knowing that you'd have to do this for the rest of your professional life.
Before I came out (5 years ago), I did summer placements in a couple of City firms. I did have to go on trips to strip clubs for fear that I might not become as popular as the next "jock" if I didn't. (However, to be fair, this was not initiated by the lawyers in the firm. The other students with me in the summer placement were the ones who organised it.) I had to pretend to laugh at "straight" jokes. I had to dodge questions about my personal life.
But to be honest, once I came out, I realised that them being friends with me or respecting me did not really have anything to do with my sexuality. They were fine about me being gay.
I guess law firms just have to be sensitive that there are people in the firm who are uncomfortable with their sexuality. They have to let them know that being gay in the work place is alright, that it's fine to talk about it at work. I don't know how they're supposed to do this, but that's what the HR is for.
At the same time, I think gay men / lesbians should not be afraid to come out in the work place because there is no reason to be. For one, there's a lot of gay / lesbian lawyers in the profession. I'm not trying to sound cliche, but I know A LOT! And if only they looked closer, they'd realise that they're not alone. The next gay / lesbian lawyer could be just one or two rooms down from them in the office. There are a lot of us in the legal profession who are living very rewarding professional lives without needing to hide our sexuality. The more comfortable you are with yourself in the work place, the better the rapport you have with your work colleagues.
As what roll on friday has stated, the legal profession is an intelligent profession. And it's really just the token odd ball in the law firm who will take issue with a person's sexuality...whom you don't really need to have anything to do with. It's their loss, not yours.
I work at this sort of firm: City
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: like most other minority groups - you try to blend in.
When people say the sexuality of a person does not matter then thats its pure rubbish. Someones sexuality matters likes someones gender and colour. The reality is - we all know there are gay lawyers in every firm but at the end of the day people are hired because they can do the work and they look like they fit in. If they do not fit in - they are not hired or fired. If you are gay - once over that intial interveiwing hurdle - people keep their private lives private. The Society from their article obviously has an agenda and in my view it is good thing. The more people caht about it - then may be they will get more comfortable with it. In my own opinion, people are only comfortable being who they really are when they are at the top (i.e. a Partner) because then you are in a strong position.
I work at this sort of firm: Magic Circle
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: mixed. There are many gay solicitors at all levels in my (magic circle) firm, most of whom aren't "out" to the world at large and I have never seen any reference to any gay societies/clubs/marketing events in all my time here, whereas I know these exist in many banks and other City institutions. I don't think there is any overt discrimination but many policies (e.g. firm donation if you get married) and marketing initiatives (e.g. rugby/cricket matches) may have the effect of alienating gay people - but then again, you can't please everyone and women and non-Oxbridge comprehensive school solicitors may also feel alienated at MC firms. The Law Society has prompted a proper investigation into this area, though I would not trust its own 25-person sample.
I work at this sort of firm: City (MC)
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: Although on the surface everyone in my top 10 city firm is 'fine with it' I have been copied in on emails in which gay, homo, fairy, poof and 'stool-pusher' have been used as insults. I have had to ask individuals to refrain from referring to a gay man as a 'woofter' outside my office door. That is not fun and it needs to change.
I work at this sort of firm: City
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: absolutely no problems. A large number of the partners and the lawyers at my firm are gay and so far in three years they have only been supportive. The Metro article was clearly written by a naive journo who needed to get a story out.
I work at this sort of firm: National city office
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: generally very good...I worked at a large national firm which originated in Birmingham, and my bf would come along to the department Christmas party and would get on with the partners better than I would! I didn't meet anyone who had any problems with it (at least not to my face!)
I work at this sort of firm: National
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: A mixed bag. I have had the occasional snide remark and ill informed comment, but overall my career has been wonderfully jibe free. My homosexuality has not been a hindrance to my career, if anything it has been a boon.
I work at this sort of firm: National
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: fine. As a lesbian, the stereotypes actually help my career as people assume that I am career driven and will not be having babies once I get promoted. Neither of those assumption are actually true, though.
With the diversity drive in our frim at the moment my job is even safer having come out.
I work at this sort of firm: Magic Circle
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: Absolutely fine. Of course you have to deal with the odd wanker, but sadly that's life. I'm totally open about it - I bring my partner to office parties - noone seems remotely bothered.
A hundred times better than working in a bank...
I work at this sort of firm: Top ten, not magic circle.
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: Difficult because I'm a trainee and can't risk coming out for fear that homophobic partners will base their decision to retain me or not on my sexuality rather than my performance.
Some dubious jokes and remarks by equity partners about gays have confirmed that my decision to not tell anyone I'm a lesbian was the right one.
I work at this sort of firm: Medium city firm
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: totally fine. I put my experience running the uni's LGB on my CV and my current firm was totally fine with it. We discussed it in the interview even. There was only magic circle firm to which I applied which didn't even offer an interview and the only reason I could think of was...
as for the actual working experience, it *is* quite a macho culture but, at least at a big firm, there is a good enough mix of cultures and types for everyone to be themselves. No problem at all.
I work at this sort of firm: City - CC
I'm gay, and my experience of working in the law has been: Whilst City lawyers are generally civilised and intelligent people, I think that the Law Society's concerns about homophobia in City law firms are justified. As long as straight males in these firms continue to make jokes about each other being gay and sleeping with the (male) boss, there will be undertones of homophobia and prejudice in the workplace.
I work at this sort of firm: City firm