Reading time: 3 minsPlease introduce yourself and your journey into your role at Bristows
My name is Fariha Chowdhury and I am an Associate in the Patent Litigation team at Bristows.
Why did you want to join Bristows over other firms?
From the outset of my search, I was drawn to Bristows for its market-leading IP expertise and the opportunity to work with major global clients on cutting-edge matters. The specialist nature of the work particularly appealed to me, as did the chance to learn from some of the leading lawyers in the field. Coupled with the firm’s reputation for high-quality training, offering close support and early responsibility, Bristows stood out as the ideal place to begin my training contract.
Please could you give us a general insight into what diversity, and inclusion looks like at Bristows?
At Bristows, diversity and inclusion are seen as ongoing priorities, and the firm is always looking for ways to improve. One example is our Lyda Network, which is our race, ethnicity and faith network. It focuses on fostering an inclusive environment and supporting colleagues from underrepresented backgrounds, whilst teaching others at the firm about various cultures, norms and practices, through learning based events. Beyond the network, Bristows has several other committees and groups dedicated to promoting inclusion, diversity and recognition of our differences within the workplace. More broadly, the firm regularly takes part in firm wide initiatives to stay attuned to where it can do more, such as the reverse mentoring pilot scheme, which helps ensure that inclusion remains an active and evolving part of Bristows’ culture.
The Lyda Network is Bristows’ race, ethnicity and faith network, and it is made up of nine committee members, including myself. The committee brings together people from across the firm, including our sponsor partner, and represents a range of seniority levels, experience and business departments. We meet regularly to discuss feedback from the wider network and to plan upcoming events.
The Lyda Network regularly hosts events to celebrate different cultures and important dates in the calendar. One of our key aims is to educate through these events, so while we focus on making them engaging and memorable, we always include an element of learning, sharing and raising awareness.
We also actively encourage suggestions from the wider network and firm. Anyone can submit ideas through a short form, which the committee then discusses together. In addition, we often collaborate with other committees at Bristows to support wider inclusion and diversity initiatives across the firm.
How does this network support employees at Bristows?
The Lyda Network supports employees at Bristows by creating a safe and open space to share experiences, celebrate different cultures and raise awareness of race, ethnicity and faith across the firm. We aim to build a sense of community and belonging, particularly for colleagues from underrepresented backgrounds, by making sure their voices are heard and valued.
Through our events and initiatives, we provide opportunities for education and discussion, helping to broaden understanding and encourage allyship across the firm. We also feed back views and suggestions from the wider network to the committee and senior leadership, ensuring that employees’ perspectives actively shape how the firm approaches diversity and inclusion.
Finally, is there anything else you’d like to add on diversity at Bristows or anything else more generally?
I think what stands out about diversity at Bristows is that it is seen as an ongoing journey rather than a box to tick. There’s a genuine willingness across the firm to listen, learn and adapt, which makes it a really supportive place to work. People are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work, and there’s a real sense that different perspectives are valued. More broadly, Bristows has a very open and collaborative culture, which creates an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute.