Our law firm is built on a culture of engagement: a global network where we all support each other, open-mindedly and wholeheartedly. Naturally, encouraging diversity and inclusion is a pivotal part of that.

Hogan Lovells is the Official Legal Services Provider to the British Paralympic Association (BPA) through to Tokyo 2020 – a long-standing relationship between the two organisations has existed since before Beijing 2008. Hogan Lovells provides legal advice, secondments and volunteers, supporting the ParalympicsGB team to achieve historic performances at London 2012, Sochi 2014, Rio 2016, and PyeongChang 2018.

Supported and respected at the most senior levels of the firm, former Hogan Lovells Chair and BPA sponsor Partner, Nicholas Cheffings said, “Watching some of our amazingly talented bursary recipients perform in PyeongChang was a very rewarding experience. We are incredibly proud and privileged to be able to help these inspiring athletes to reach their potential and we are looking forward to seeing them progress towards Tokyo 2020.” That’s why Hogan Lovells has awarded 10 athletes with aspirations for Tokyo 2020 one-off bursaries of up to £1,500 each to help them with an aspect of their career development. This might include purchasing and replacing vital equipment, paying for travel to training camps and competitions, additional coaching, and training support services.

Paratriathlon gold medallist, Jade Jones-Hall said the funding would prove invaluable, “I’m so honoured and excited to have been chosen for the Hogan Lovells bursary, it’s going to make a huge impact on my training in this critical year for qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.”

Bursaries

This follows a successful inaugural year in which seven athletes were awarded bursaries in 2017. They included wheelchair rugby player, Ayaz Bhuta. He has commented on the difference financial support from Hogan Lovells makes, “I was very privileged to receive the Hogan Lovells para-athlete bursary last year which helped me cover my travel and equipment for the year, integral to my journey to the World Championships and I am very happy to hear that Hogan Lovells are supporting athletes again this year.”

In addition to supporting the bursary recipients, the firm continues to support the Hogan Lovells ambassador and Paralympic, World, European and Commonwealth Champion swimmer, Ollie Hynd MBE, as well as providing pro bono legal advice to clients including British ParaSnowSport, Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby, the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation, UK Boccia Federation and the International Boccia Federation.

This kind of support for a more inclusive society is a firm part of who we are, and our colleagues benefit in all sorts of ways, whether it’s finding support for their interests and ambitions, or relishing the opportunity to be part of rewarding community projects. You gain an active interest in global social issues – and find colleagues who’ll support the issues that matter to you too. It’s all part of joining the global game-changers – and in the case of the British Paralympic Association, it’s safe to say we really do support the changing recognition for parasport.

Hogan Lovells have recently joined Be the Difference, Able Magazine’s employability inititiative.

www.hoganlovells.com