Sidley Celebrates UK Black History Month
How did you choose Sidley as the firm you would join as a trainee solicitor?
I chose Sidley for a variety of reasons. In particular, I was attracted to the firm’s elite status and small intake, which would give me exposure to quality work and people. It was also important for me to have an enjoyable and comfortable experience meeting others at the firm and my experience during my vacation scheme was really enjoyable both socially and professionally, which was a deciding factor.
“Proud to be me.”
How important is diversity, equity, and inclusion to the next generation of Sidley lawyers?
It is important to overcome sheltered and one-dimensional perspectives. Having an inclusive environment is the best way to achieve this, and this idea must extend to our professional landscape — not just our personal lives. The result is a richer, more fulfilled, and virtuous environment. A lot of talent and potential is present within the most underrepresented communities, which we all should be actively enabling to flourish and reach its full potential.
What does celebrating Black History Month mean to you personally?
For me, celebrating Black History Month means seeing beyond the usual tagline stories of black trauma. It is appreciating both remarkable and normal black lives and celebrating the community and the individuality within it. It is a time of reflection and education on how many unique black people all contribute and relate to a shared experience. I think it is also about looking forward on how to improve things for future generations to come.