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In 2024, the Solicitors Regulation Authority reported that 12% of lawyers in law firms are Asian. By seniority, 13% of full-equity partners, 9% of salaried partners and 13% of solicitors are Asian. It is increasingly important that we celebrate and embrace Asian heritage both in and out of workplace to improve inclusion. Throughout South Asian Heritage Month and East & South East Asian Heritage Month we've been exploring the impact of culture, history and communities on identity with our Asian Connections employee group.
South Asian Heritage Month, and East and South East Asian Heritage months celebrate Asian cultures, histories, and communities that continue to link and shape all our identities. Last month, the group celebrated the overlap between South Asian Heritage Month, East and South East Asian Heritage Month. We've been celebrating Asian heritage and learning about the impact of Asian countries' independence stories on identity with the launch of the firm's new internal podcast series, Connections Unplugged. The series aims to explore the stories, issues, and cultures that shape our Connections groups, offering a deeper understanding of the people behind them.
Our first three episodes of the series explored the independence journeys of Azad Jammu Kashmir, Bangladesh, the Philippines and Singapore. Colleagues shared stories of independence and family experiences that shaped their lives and attitudes. Each episode highlighted how Asian heritage influenced four familiar faces at Foot Anstey, sparking engaging discussions about the diverse ways minority ethnic backgrounds impact personal experiences and attitudes.
We rounded off celebrations with an invitation for everyone at the firm to gather for a slice of pandan cake, a treat popular throughout Asia.
"Bangladesh's independence is very close to my mother's heart. As a child, my mother was in the centre of Bangladesh's war for independence and she was once in my grandfather's garden picking mangoes when bombs struck. She gets angry when we speak English too much – she says that our ancestors put their lives on the line to retain the beautiful language of Bengali and the least we can do is to speak Bengali."
"They call the Philippines a melting pot of different cultures, beliefs and preferences. The country, because of the struggle and the difficulties faced to get independence, has such a strong sense of community and resilience and the courage for adventure."
"Songs are always a big part of how Singapore's independence day is celebrated. In Singapore's schools, I was taught songs in English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil to sing for independence day. It is also tradition to have an original song composed and performed for every independence day celebration. They have gotten more produced over time, but I like the ones from the 80s and early 90s with spritely, rousing drums."
"Buildings, streets are adorned with lights, green and white flags everywhere. You get cars that are painted green and white everywhere. In the UK it is similar, every Independence Day, at Southall and Birmingham High Street - on all sides you will see cars blaring lively Bollywood music."
Our Asian Connections group, launched in 2023, organises initiatives at Foot Anstey to highlight the significance of Asian heritage in both the workplace and wider society. Formed by colleagues and allies with an interest in, or a background connected to Asia, the group aims to create opportunities for networking and events that will thoughtfully celebrate Asian cultural occasions. This ranges from occasions you're familiar with, to help with exploring new ones.
