Freshfields has been awarded 14th place in the Top 75 of the Social Mobility Employer Index 2025, the leading authority on employer best practice, for its commitment to driving progress in social mobility in the UK.

Now in its ninth year, the Index ranks UK employers based on their activity across the previous year (2024) to ensure that they are open to accessing and progressing talent from all backgrounds, and showcasing progress towards improving social mobility. A total of 140 organisations entered in 2025.

Freshfields’ Global Head of Culture & Community Helen Ouseley commented: “Our continued ranking in the Social Mobility Employer Index is testament to our ongoing commitment and the collective effort of many colleagues who champion social mobility and who continue to innovate and evolve our efforts to ensure positive impact within the firm and across the profession.”

The recognition aligns with ongoing efforts to drive social mobility change in the legal sector and beyond, with firm commitments in the UK including:

• Freshfields’ longstanding partnership with the Social Mobility Foundation on the Aspiring Professionals Programme, with 2025 marking the programme’s five year-anniversary.
• Freshfields’ official launch this year of its solicitor apprenticeship programme, giving UK national school leavers a chance to build their future in law.
• The firm’s Stephen Lawrence Scholarship Scheme, now in its 13th year.
• Partnering with GTI in 2025 for its Self-Made in Law event, as well as longstanding partnerships with Rare Recruitment, PRIME and the 93% Club to support high-potential candidates and to improve access to the legal profession.