Diversity & Inclusion

We aim to recruit and retain outstanding professionals, from a wide variety of backgrounds. As of 2021, our lawyers have studied at 78 different universities. No less than 19 languages are spoken at the firm including German, French, English, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Arabic and Mandarin.

Our most important long-term goal is to nurture our talented trainees and associates so that they develop into exceptional, determined and open-minded lawyers.

We provide advanced training opportunities, mentoring and ongoing peer support and recognize the importance of balancing career with other commitments and interests.

We are committed to ensuring that women are represented and supported at the firm. We currently have similar levels of representation of male and female trainees and associates.

We are convinced that increasing female representation in our leadership is key to the sustained growth of our community and our firm. We are committed to making a positive change in this area. We take a holistic approach - one that recognizes the importance of providing role models, equal opportunities, flexibility and support during life's critical milestones, as well as mentoring and creating networking opportunities.

Lenz & Staehelin has adhered to “Advance - Gender Equality in Business”, a Swiss association whose purpose is to advance female talent and raise awareness about gender diversity, notably by providing a platform for members to network, share best practice and shape public opinion.

In addition, Lenz & Staehelin's partners and associates also promote and support a number of initiatives, professional channels and networks    dedicated to promoting gender diversity and equality in the legal and business community. Examples include

• Women@Competition Switzerland, a platform of female competition professionals in Switzerland, and
• Working Moms Switzerland, a network of professional women combining career and family.

Lenz & Staehelin also sponsors the Women's Board Award to support and strengthen the position of women on boards.

We believe that a truly diverse and inclusive workplace can make an impact. We don't just see achieving greater diversity and inclusion as key to our firm’s long-term success. To us, it is simply the right thing to do.

This starts with creating an environment that gives our employees the confidence to bring their full identities to work.

It is the firm’s policy to ensure employees can work in a safe, supportive and respectful environment, without discrimination or harassment because of race, religious belief, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, origin, disability, age, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy, military service or any other dimension of diversity.

We recognize the importance of training, mentoring, peer support and regular dialogue to ensure this really transpires in our day-to-day.