Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
We view CSR as more than just a 'tick box' exercise. It is an opportunity to engage with the local community, a framework for our environmental responsibilities, and one of the ways in which we foster a diverse, well rounded and happy workforce.
We have a clear CSR programme to ensure genuine and practical steps are taken to deliver real benefits for our business, our clients and the wider community that we operate in.
Taking our own advice
Businesses are finding that environmental initiatives are becoming legal requirements. It is our job to keep clients informed of these, but we also take our own advice, with policies to ensure maximum energy efficiency and minimum carbon output. These range from green electricity supply, low energy and motion sensing lighting, to the recycling of paper and other office products, to procuring from environmentally committed suppliers and using fair trade products in the firm's in-house café. This approach has led to us being ranked third in an analysis of yearly carbon output per employee by the Legal Sector Alliance.
Our Green Travel Plan incorporates targets for reducing business travel and provides alternative options for staff commuting into work, with car-sharing, a free minibus service and cycling incentives (including free bacon butties for our cyclists on cycle-to-work days!).
Michelmores is also a member of DEBI (Devon Environmental Business Initiative) supporting environmental best practice and Regen South West, the sustainable energy agency for the South West.
Making a real difference
Engaging with the community where we live and work is a priority. We raise money for charities through a wide variety of events. One of the firm's flagship events, our annual 5K Charity Run, has now raised in excess of £200,000 for local good causes in its 12 year history.
Our staff are encouraged to give their time through volunteering and departmental team-building days. Recent team-building projects have involved canal restoration, conservation work on Dartmoor and refurbishment at the West of England School and College for Children with Little or No Sight.
The firm also sponsors Exeter College's REACH Academy, which fast-tracks very bright students, and has engaged in mentoring through participating in schemes such as a Dragon's Den-style panel.
Charity of the Year
Our Charity of the Year for 2012 is Families for Children who place children for adoption from throughout the UK, who have experienced loss and upheavel (www.familiesforchildren.org.uk). Following a successful partnership with Hospiscare we are proud to report that Hospiscare has benefitted from over £100K in donations from us in the last three years.
If you would like to apply to become our Charity of the Year in 2013 please contact Sarah Coleman on sarah.coleman@michelmores.com
Pro bono work
We recognise the need to make our expertise accessible to those who might otherwise struggle to obtain quality legal advice.
We encourage our staff to provide their services on a pro bono basis in appropriate circumstances, assisting individuals, volunteer-led associations and charities with a wide range of legal issues. A number of our employees are trustees of charities and governors of schools.
As well as providing legal advice on specific matters, our pro bono activity includes:
- Regular legal surgeries with our Family Team at local Children Centres and at the Domestic Violence and Abuse Service, to assist those who may urgently need legal advice but cannot afford it
- A free legal surgery from our Sidmouth office
- Employment advice at the Citizens Advice Bureau on a monthly basis
Our Pro Bono Committee, headed by Tony Cockayne, closely reviews the ongoing pro bono work within the firm and frequently considers new initiatives which may develop and enhance our pro bono offering.
Fostering a dynamic, well rounded workforce
Our people are central to our business and our CSR programme. We believe in creating a culture of inclusivity, where individual differences are embraced, and we actively promote diversity and equality.
We have been accredited as 'One to Watch' by the annual Best Companies Survey for the fourth year running, with particularly high rankings from our staff for well being and our CSR initiatives.
Our CSR programme is managed by Andrew Lovell, Practice Director.
