Lewys Griffiths is a future trainee in the London office. Currently reading Ancient History and Classical Archaeology at Oxford University, Lewys completed a summer internship with Sidley’s office in London in 2020 and will join the firm as a trainee solicitor in 2023.
“Diversity, equity, and inclusion is of paramount importance to the next generation of Sidley personnel. I think the main difference between previous and future generations is that diversity, equity, and inclusion is a non-negotiable requisite rather than just a nice thing to have.”
How did you choose Sidley as the firm you would join as a trainee solicitor? Did the firm’s support of LGBTQ+ employees influence your choice?
I met Sidley representatives at the University of Oxford Law Fair and spoke with the graduate recruitment team about Sidley’s LGBTQ+ initiatives. As a gay man, I was keen to join a law firm that was able to articulate how it supports its LGBTQ+ employees. I was lucky to secure a winter internship with the London office, and whilst an intern I reached out to Laurence Wilcock, an LGBTQ+ associate in the London Tax team who only had positive things to say about the firm’s support for the LGBTQ+ community. It reassured me that the firm’s support for its LGBTQ+ employees was real. This influenced my choice of the firm. For me, being able to be open and feel supported as an LGBTQ+ individual was a deciding factor in choosing Sidley.
How important do you think diversity, equity, and inclusion is to the next generation of Sidley lawyers?
Diversity, equity, and inclusion is of paramount importance to the next generation of Sidley personnel. I think the main difference between previous and future generations is that diversity, equity, and inclusion is a non-negotiable requisite rather than just a nice thing to have. The next generation of lawyers will be even more ardent in their support of related initiatives — not only initiatives that support the LGBTQ+ community, but also those in support of other marginalised groups. This applies to all future Sidley lawyers, irrespective of their own backgrounds.