Corporate Social Responsibility
We recognise that our day-to-day business activities have an impact on the wider society and community in which we operate. We believe our corporate social responsibility strategy ensures that we act responsibility in respect of our clients, employees and stakeholders as well as the environment and our local community.
As well as acting for private clients, we also work with many charities and community organisations. As a family business specialist, we take pride in supporting the contribution that Yorkshire's family-owned enterprises make to the regional and national economy as well as the employment opportunities they provide.
By setting high social, environmental and ethical standards, we are paving the way for profitable growth and a more sustainable future for our community.
Our corporate social responsibility (CSR, otherwise known as ESG, or 'environmental, social and governance') activities can be viewed under the following three categories:
We understand it’s our people that make the real difference and that’s why we are committed to recruiting, training and retaining the very best. We are passionate about what we do and who we employ and are dedicated to developing our people and standards. We are proud to be accredited by Lexcel, the Law Society’s legal practice quality mark for client care, compliance and practice management.
Happy and well-supported colleagues make better lawyers and support staff. We are an inclusive employer and offer a wide range of opportunities for people at all levels of their career, with excellent development, benefits and work-life balance.
Our social committee organises events to help the team to get to know each other inside and outside work and we actively encourage and support staff to pursue their interests and hobbies together, from crafting to team sports.
We provide work experience and training contracts to help inspire young people and support their career aspirations.
Chosen charity
Each year, staff nominate and vote for a charity which they would like to support during that year. This year we are supporting Yorkshire Cancer Research, helping the charity to keep bringing life-saving research and expertise to our region, one of the hardest hit by cancer in the UK. Last year we raised over £10,000 for the Bone Cancer Research Trust.
In-house initiatives
Throughout the year, staff contribute to our chosen charity and others in the local community through various charitable activities in both cash and in kind. Activities include dress down days, charity raffles, sponsored events, cake stalls and voluntary projects.
We have a rota where colleagues give up their time to volunteer at Bradford Central Foodbank. The project feeds thousands of people in crisis using food donated by local people and businesses. It also helps them to overcome some of the other issues they are facing by signposting them to support and helping them find employment.
Legal advice and pro bono support
We have established longstanding connections with many voluntary, third sector and community organisations and act for a number of charities. This includes providing pro bono support where possible. We support staff to take positions in community establishments and enterprises to enhance their skillset as part of their career progression with us.
Some of our colleagues volunteer at schools and attend careers fairs to help open the route to careers in the legal sector. Staff have previously taken part in the Prince’s Trust Mosaic programme, which involved volunteering as secondary school mentors, helping young people to develop employability skills.
Partnership and sponsorship
We make regular and ad hoc financial contributions to several charitable organisations. We also partner with and provide corporate sponsorships to many worthwhile local community, charity and sporting events and organisations.
Some of the charities and third-sector organisations we support
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As a responsible business employer, we believe we have a duty to minimise our impact on the environment. We are committed to being part of the solution by reducing our carbon footprint and becoming a more environmentally responsible firm.
We have our very own LCF Green Team which engages with staff to foster a more environmentally conscious workplace. Some of our initiatives within the office include:
- Recycling:
- all office paper (confidential/non confidential)
- toner cartridges
- batteries
- newspapers, magazines and card
- plastic, cans and glass
- Reducing paper consumption by digitalising processes, only printing necessary documents and printing double sided
- Sourcing and buying supplies and materials from local companies
- Procuring eco-friendly merchandise
- Reducing energy consumption in company buildings wherever possible
- Replacement of plastic water cups with glasses
We’re currently developing a Green Team policy and are continuing to look for new initiatives to introduce. Regular updates are included in our internal newsletter and we have an inbox where staff can suggest new ideas.
Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust
The Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) is a local charity working in partnership with businesses to support people in rural communities, help look after our unique landscapes and wildlife, and make sure everyone can access, enjoy and understand the Yorkshire Dales.
As a firm with strong Yorkshire roots, we are proud to partner with the YDMT and help achieve their aims. We’re now in our second year of supporting the work of the Trust and are on course to enable the planting of more than 1,500 trees by the summer of 2024. Volunteers from the firm are helping to create and maintain these vital habitats, creating beautiful woodlands for both people and nature to enjoy.
As part of this commitment, we have developed a new scheme with YDMT where we will plant a tree for every will we write.