Finding Visible Representation in Law

Molly Steele, Clifford Chance Future Trainee, and a third-year Durham University student, shares the importance of visible representation when applying to graduate opportunities.

When I came out at 15 years old, I was fortunate to have received love and support from those important in my life. This meant I have always been confident in sharing my sexuality and advocating for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, spearheading EDI initiatives at my school and university. Despite this, I was nervous about “coming out” in the workplace: I had been told a stereotype that law firms were very traditional. This meant I was unsure how firms 'reacted' to openly LGBTQ+ applicants, and I was worried that being open about my sexuality could harm my applications and future work opportunities.

However, as soon as I started researching what law firms were doing to support the LGBTQ+ community, I was instantly put at ease as I saw the wealth of work being done across the industry. I knew I wanted to work at a firm where I could always be myself without fear or judgment. This meant I wanted to work at a firm with its own passionate and active LGBTQ+ network that also advocated and supported the wider LGBTQ+ community.

I applied to Clifford Chance after attending the firm's ACCEPT Conference in 2021. ACCEPT is a conference designed for LGBTQ+ students to help them learn more about the industry. ACCEPT was the first time I had met so many LGBTQ+ professionals in one room - highlighting that I could be out and proud in the workplace. Not only did the event provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ students to ask questions without judgment, but we also learned about Clifford Chance’s ground-breaking LGBTQ+ work.

ACCEPT emphasised the brilliance in being yourself - meaning I left the event feeling inspired to talk confidently about my sexuality and EDI work when applying to first-year law schemes. A few months on, I successfully completed Clifford Chance's SPARK programme and was offered a Training Contract - which I enthusiastically accepted. Since then, I have continued my EDI work and was invited back to ACCEPT in 2022 as a Clifford Chance Connect Ambassador.

My advice to any LGBTQ+ student looking to apply to law firms is to believe in the strength that being LGBTQ+ has given you. Whether you are out in your personal life or not, no one should have to hide who they are at work. Finding a law firm that fully embraces and empowers you to be your fullest self is one of the best ways to secure a successful and fulfilling career.

You can find out more about the Clifford Chance ACCEPT conference here, and  apply to attend the 2023 ACCEPT conference here.