Diversity ducks

IP Inclusive

IP Inclusive is the collective initiative of the intellectual property (IP) professions to encourage diversity and inclusion.

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CITMA Benevolent Fund

We provide support for members of the trade mark profession and their families during times of financial hardship via our Benevolent Fund.

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LawCare

LawCare is the charity that promotes and supports good mental health and wellbeing across the legal community in the UK and Ireland.

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Jonathan's Voice

Jonathan’s Voice aims to improve mental health throughout the IP professions.

 

Resources

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Getting to GOAT

CITMA members on what makes a great manager.

11th Jan 2024 | CITMA Review feature
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Give them a warm welcome; Tips for new starters

Tips for helping new starters feel at home

11th Jan 2024 | CITMA Review feature
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Managing and identifying risks to mental health in the workplace

All employers have the ability to work towards creating mentally healthy workplaces.

20th Nov 2023 | Feature
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Mental health awareness: the paralegal perspective

Being a paralegal can be high-pressure and high-stakes – managing that pressure is key for a healthy approach to the role.

10th Oct 2023 | Feature
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How to thrive as a paralegal

How to safeguard your mental wellbeing at work.

30th Aug 2023 | CITMA Review feature
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Jonathan’s Voice offers new support guidance for paralegals

Jonathan’s Voice has published a new guide to supporting mental wellbeing at work for paralegals and business support staff in the IP profession.

9th Aug 2023 | News
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EDI: Approaches to developing a sustainable workplace strategy

When building an equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) strategy, it’s important to make sure you are being far sighted and ambitious, while remaining realistic.

14th Jul 2023 | Feature
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Domestic abuse: What can employers do?

For people who have left situations involving domestic abuse, support in and outside of the workplace is an invaluable tool.

12th Jul 2023
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“We are not invincible”: Talking about anxiety in the legal profession

“I can’t believe how reassuring it is to know that we’re not alone in the way we feel.”: The power of communication for anxiety.

7th Jun 2023 | Feature
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What’s the point of networking? Identifying outcomes and goals

Networking can seem a daunting prospect, especially at the start of your career. However, going in with some clear goals in mind can lend some much needed confidence.

16th May 2023 | Feature
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IVF in the world of IP

Katie Goulding, Senior Associate and Chartered Trade Mark Attorney at CMS, now mum of two, shares her experience of IVF treatment in the hope of reducing the number of women going through IVF without workplace support.

15th Feb 2023 | Feature
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Stress in the workplace: should it be reframed as a workplace hazard?

To safeguard its future as a desirable career path, leading mental health experts in our sector say that we need to change the way we view stress to tackle high levels of mental health problems.

18th Jan 2023 | Feature
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LawCare research explores why men in the law don’t speak up about mental health

LawCare has identified that only 35% of their requests for support come from men.

22nd Nov 2022 | News
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Are we open about our mental health?

IP Inclusive and Jonathan’s Voice have found that many in the IP industry are unwilling to discuss their mental health, but see negative effects from stress.

20th Oct 2022 | News
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From Darkness to Hope: World Suicide Prevention Day

IP Inclusive and Jonathan’s Voice invite us to an open conversation around suicide prevention and mental health in the IP industry.

22nd Sep 2022 | Feature
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Perspectives: Al Skilton

Al Skilton explains why even the smallest acknowledgement can make a difference to a non-binary person

27th Jun 2022 | CITMA Review feature
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Business Development: (re)gaining confidence in your ability to do it, and do it well

​​​​​​​What do Business Development (BD), fitness, and recovery from a shoulder injury have in common? Business development coach Nicky Denegri explores the similarities.

14th Jun 2022 | Feature
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Life in LawCare: a volunteer’s perspective

While many professional and personal difficulties may feel isolating, an anonymous LawCare volunteer has found that few challenges are unique – and a problem shared is a problem halved.

10th Jun 2022 | Feature
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A view from a single parent - entry into the trade mark profession

For Kathy Wright, Chartered Trade Mark Attorney since 2014, overcoming the challenges of single parenthood was key to allowing her career to thrive.

10th May 2022 | Feature
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Are you a leading light?

When it comes to caring for mental health in IP firms, success starts at the top. We asked some senior leaders how they’re stepping up.

23rd Feb 2022 | CITMA Review feature
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Perspective: Having it all feels closer than it ever did before

Charlotte Duly reflects on her progress as a woman in IP.

23rd Feb 2022 | CITMA Review feature
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Building a supportive workplace for LGBTQ+ non-traditional families

As LGBT+ access to family-building expands, it is more important than ever for employers to be aware and supportive of non traditional family formations.

16th Feb 2022 | Feature
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How has the IP profession changed for LGBT+ members over the past 20 years?

Rob Davey explores the changing face of LGBT+ inclusion in the world of IP law.

28th Jan 2022 | Feature
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Perspective: On being brave

Michelle Ward reflects on the response she received when setting up her own practice

4th Jan 2022 | CITMA Review feature
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Caring for carers

Many of the UK’s legal professionals regularly carry out caring duties. But who’s looking after them?

4th Jan 2022 | CITMA Review feature
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Promoting disability equality in the legal profession

What difference can an open environment make for supporting people with disabilities in the IP legal profession? Our panel shared their thoughts.

13th Dec 2021 | Feature
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Get the balance right

Beverley Robinson reports that when it comes to training during the time of COVID-19, there’s no ready-made formula.

8th Nov 2021 | CITMA Review feature
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Perspective: Becky Campbell offers full disclosure

“Disability is one part of my story, but it’s not the only part”: Becky Campbell offers full disclosure about her own hidden disabilities.

8th Nov 2021 | CITMA Review feature
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Now you see it

Invisible disabilities and conditions affect people in every sphere of life – including the IP sector. We reveal what the industry can do to help. 

8th Nov 2021 | CITMA Review feature
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Supporting non-traditional families

A new network supporting those in non-traditional families with practical advice and the opportunity to share experiences has been launched by IP Inclusive.

13th Oct 2021 | News
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Report sets out compelling case for action on mental health

LawCare’s chair expresses hope for ‘meaningful, long-lasting change’ in approach to mental health and wellbeing following study into mental health in the legal profession.

11th Oct 2021 | News
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Promoting diversity & inclusion in law – becoming an Appointed Person

“If you are interested in the judiciary in any capacity, becoming an Appointed Person is a uniquely good first step.”

30th Sep 2021 | Feature
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In support of intersectionality

A range of communities can help address life’s complexity, explains Andrea Brewster.

19th Aug 2021 | CITMA Review feature
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D&I Made Easy

Five proven and practical ideas for increasing diversity in your firm.

19th Aug 2021 | CITMA Review feature
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Why do we have a benevolent fund?

A safety net for you, your family and your colleagues, our Benevolent Fund has supported people in our profession financially when they most needed it.

13th Aug 2021 | Feature
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How can we build a more supportive and inclusive environment?

“The task for everyone, straight or not, is to make sure that the culture of the firm is as welcoming, inclusive and warm as possible so people feel able to say something about themselves.”

24th Jun 2021 | Feature
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Practical steps to implement better mental health support

Supporting mental health in the workplace is a duty and responsibility for employers, yet many organisations find it difficult to know where to start.

14th May 2021 | Feature
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How to create a workplace that supports mental health

How can senior leaders in IP implement strategies that create a healthy workplace for colleagues? A new guide from mental health charity Jonathan’s Voice shares some best practice.

19th Mar 2021 | News
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Choose to challenge: taking the initiative

Challenging obstacles to career progression for women, our International Women’s Day panel challenged and laid out some ideas for things that need to change in the IP sector.

11th Mar 2021 | Feature
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Pushing back on perfectionism and presenteeism

“Don’t feel guilty about taking time off. It is the responsible thing to do.” We take a look at how to remedy some of the situations that can make it hard for us to switch off from work.

22nd Feb 2021 | Feature
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IP Inclusive: How inclusive are you?

There’s an easy to way to learn where your organisation stands on diversity, explains Andrea Brewster.

11th Feb 2021 | CITMA Review feature
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Providing support for anxiety

LawCare provided emotional support to some 1,000 legal professionals in the past year, with anxiety accounting for a rise in calls to the support service.

3rd Feb 2021 | News
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Banishing Blue Monday

Practical strategies to help you manage and protect your mental health and promote positive wellbeing in yourself and those around you.

19th Jan 2021 | Feature
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Perspective: Focus on faith

Colin Bailey challenges us all to engage with the subject of culture and belief in the workplace

30th Nov 2020 | CITMA Review feature
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Normalising the conversation

Understand how to recognise the signs of poor mental health and be confident enough to address it by reading the latest guide by mental health charity Jonathan’s Voice.

10th Nov 2020 | News
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Combating Zoom fatigue

What changes can you make to improve the way you feel at work and why you’re not alone when you feel drained after a day of Zoom, Skype or Teams.

25th Oct 2020 | Feature
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Staying motivated at work

We investigate how you can bring more meaning and motivation to your day-to-day work.

25th Oct 2020 | Feature
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Open for business

A recent boost to social mobility in IP may have come from an unexpected quarter.

19th Oct 2020
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We need to talk about bias

Let’s find ways to turn it to our advantage, says Andrea Brewster.

19th Oct 2020
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Break your silence

Everyone must be a proactive ally if we are to put an end to racism, writes Hannah Burrows.

1st Sep 2020
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Peer power

Elizabeth Rimmer outlines the value of emotional support service.

1st Sep 2020
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Making menopause manageable

Mandy Laurie offers some observations on supporting employees through this natural (but not yet normalised) process

20th Jul 2020
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First things first

The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the vital role of first responders in safeguarding our society, but don’t ignore their importance in your organisation too.

20th Jul 2020
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A question of Pride

Support for diversity and inclusion or simply opportunistic “rainbow-washing”? What does the adoption of the rainbow mean for the credibility of an iconic symbol?

8th Jun 2020
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IP Inclusive - We’re taking steps to widen our intake

Andrea Brewster needs your help to increase diversity in our profession.

8th Jun 2020
Benevolent Fund

We're here to help

The Benevolent Fund is here to support members facing financial hardship.

29th Apr 2020 | News
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#UsToo?

Jim Pearson would like everyone in the IP profession to enjoy dignity in the workplace.

28th Apr 2020
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You know it makes sense

Chris Clarke shares how you can support people on the autism spectrum.

2nd Apr 2020 | Feature
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How to work well from home

Working from home is now commonplace - how can you stop yourself from being isolated and stay productive? Legal charity LawCare has put together some tips to help you.

28th Mar 2020 | Feature
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Speaking out

Mark Bearfoot provides a personal perspective on the importance of an open environment in the legal profession.

10th Feb 2020 | Feature
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Legal mental health charity LawCare launches champions scheme

Legal mental health charity LawCare launched an advocacy scheme ‘LawCare Champions’ to coincide with World Mental Health Day. 

10th Oct 2019 | News
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The case for compassion

Taking a little more time to understand both ourselves and the people we work with, and being more accepting of what we find and who we are, is a great way of improving everyone’s mental wellbeing.

10th Oct 2019
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Preventing suicide in the legal community

Suicide remains something of a taboo, especially in professional circles. LawCare is encouraging a more open culture in the law where people talk about their feelings and ask for help.

10th Oct 2019
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Survey shows importance of mental wellbeing in IP professions

IP Inclusive has published a new survey, which demonstrates that more needs to be done on mental wellbeing in the IP legal professions.

18th Sep 2019 | News
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Why mental health matters

“No one is immune and most of us cannot cope alone.” How can we maintain positive mental health? LawCare’s Ann Charlton shared her insight and tips.

3rd Jun 2019