With International Women’s Day (IWD) fast approaching on 8th March, Yorkshire-based law firm LCF Law is celebrating its commitment to gender equality. More than 72% of the firm’s employees are female, including 63% of its lawyers, thanks to a range of initiatives aimed at fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.
This year’s IWD theme, ‘accelerate action’, highlights the need for faster progress towards gender parity. According to the World Economic Forum, at the current rate, full gender equality won’t be achieved until 2158. The global movement is calling on businesses to implement strategies that positively impact women’s advancement, and LCF Law is leading the charge in Yorkshire.
With more than 145 employees across offices in Leeds, Bradford, Harrogate and Ilkley, LCF Law is continuously exploring ways to increase diversity. One key area it has prioritised is health and well-being. The firm’s well-being team organises activities focused on mental health, sleep and diet, and now offers full health checks through a specialist provider. These screenings assess blood pressure, blood sugar levels and cholesterol, helping employees make informed decisions about their health.
Supporting women into leadership roles is another crucial focus for IWD this year. LCF Law has long been committed to recruiting, retaining and developing diverse talent, ensuring clear career progression opportunities for all. Ragan Montgomery, the firm’s managing partner, is a prime example of this success. Having joined LCF Law 22 years ago as a one-year qualified solicitor, she worked her way up to the top role in 2023.
“There are still significant barriers to gender equality facing women in both their personal and professional lives, but progress is being made, and this can be accelerated with the right strategies and support,” said Montgomery. “LCF Law has always been a forward-thinking firm that promotes gender equality, and we’ve all worked hard to create an environment where everyone can be themselves. Having a genuinely diverse team makes us a better firm, with more innovation and different ideas, as well as more ways of thinking. Decision making is therefore more balanced, which results in better customer service and leadership and all this ultimately benefits our business, our team and our clients.”
As an award-winning full-service law firm operating regionally, nationally and internationally, LCF Law is proving that businesses can play a crucial role in driving gender equality. By prioritising diversity, career development and employee well-being, the firm is setting an example for others to follow—demonstrating that real change happens when action is put at the heart of the agenda.
