A truly global law firm is built on a diverse culture, reflective of the societies in which we live and work. That’s why inclusivity is key to our success. Here, you’ll be part of an open working environment where you’ll be valued for what makes you different and accepted for who you are.
Our values are to Connect and Collaborate (through team work), Lead (by taking ownership) and Excel (by striving to be the best). At HSF these values inspire the way we think and act. They inform the decisions we make, the relationships we form, and how we work together to deliver a distinctive service to our clients.
Our committees and networks are a key way of engaging our people in our diversity and inclusion programs.
This global network supports our commitment to drive racial and cultural diversity in the firm, and the legal sector more broadly. The network supports a number of initiatives throughout the year, as well as hosting religious and cultural celebrations, which in the past have included Africa Day, Chinese New Year, Ramadan and Black History Month. Locally, we have committed to starting our own Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Our Johannesburg office provides pro bono legal services to charities, non-profit organisations (NPOs) and marginalised individuals.
As a firm we have Mental Health Champion groups, as well as a focus on physical health, financial health, occupational health and social health (connecting with others).
Our firm is committed to the development of women. 62% of our Johannesburg employees are female. We have networks such as the Women Trainee Lawyers Network (WTLN) which is a trainee-led network, with the aim of raising awareness of gender diversity issues and providing a community to address the needs of female trainees. The WTLN also regularly hold workshops, with recent topics covering unconscious bias and assertiveness.
The IRIS network connects and engages LGBT+ and ally colleagues across the regions, driving change and education across the firm. The network is chaired by the firm's CEO, Justin D'Agostino and has supported a number of key achievements, including re-launching our trans and non-binary guidelines; supporting pro bono efforts to decriminalise homosexuality and promote LGBT+ rights throughout the world; and partnering with LGBT+ organisations and charities to better support LGBT+ communities. Our Johannesburg office have been involved with a number of locally organized events that support LGBT+ communities.