Case Study: Circl & Baker McKenzie

How Baker McKenzie Embedded Coaching, Inclusion and Social Mobility into Leadership Development

About Baker McKenzie

Industry: Global law firm

Location: Global

Company size: 15,000+

Baker McKenzie is one of the world’s leading law firms, with a long-standing commitment to inclusion, social mobility, and developing leaders who combine high performance with strong human connection.

Through partnering with Circl, Baker McKenzie has taken a practical, coaching-led approach to leadership development — creating meaningful opportunities for professionals and Future Leaders to learn with and from one another.

The Challenge: Developing Inclusive Leaders and Broadening Access

Baker McKenzie wanted to address two interconnected priorities:

  • Embedding coaching as a core leadership capability, rather than relying on directive or hierarchical approaches

  • Strengthening social mobility and inclusion, particularly by opening up access, insight and networks to those from underrepresented backgrounds

The firm recognised that leadership development is most effective when it is practical, reflective, and rooted in real relationships—not just classroom learning. They were also keen to ensure their inclusion efforts went beyond recruitment, supporting belonging, confidence, and long-term progression.

“Thank you to Baker for the opportunity to be part of this incredible Circl Coaching Program. It’s been amazing to connect with such a diverse group of people from around the world learning from one another while also sharing what we know.

Ligeanie Mendesm, Finance Manager at Baker McKenzie

The Solution

Coaching Programmes and Community-Led Experiences

Our Work with Baker McKenzie

  1. Leadership coaching programmes

  • Delivered three leadership coaching programmes since 2023

  • 47 Baker McKenzie professionals and 45 Future Leaders took part

  • Programmes focused on developing coaching-led, inclusive leadership skills

  • Professionals were paired 1:1 with Future Leaders from underrepresented backgrounds

  • Emphasis on practical application, real-time coaching conversations, and mutual learning

  • Supported leaders to shift from directive problem-solving to listening, empowerment and trust

Our Work with Baker McKenzie

2. Social Mobility Insight Day

  • Co-hosted a Social Mobility Insights Day at Baker McKenzie’s London office

  • Brought together Future Leaders, professionals, senior leaders and external partners

  • Featured panels and discussions centred on social mobility, lived experience and inclusion

  • Created space for Future Leaders to experience Baker McKenzie’s culture first-hand

  • Enabled professionals to hear directly from socially mobile talent

  • Strengthened Baker McKenzie’s commitment to belonging, access and equitable career pathways

The Outcomes

“This course has probably had the most impact on me as an individual and personality than any other course I have ever done.”

Graham Boyle, Group HSE Manager

The Outcomes

“This course has probably had the most impact on me as an individual and personality than any other course I have ever done.”

Graham Boyle, Group HSE Manager

The Impact

  • Across the Leader as Coach programmes:

    • 92% of professionals said their programme objectives were met or exceeded

    • Professionals reported significant improvement across coaching skills, including:

      • Active listening

      • Effective questioning

      • Building trust

      • Goal setting and empowerment

    • Average programme ratings:

      • 8.6/10 overall programme rating (professionals)

      • 9.1/10 average Circl Match value score

  • Future Leaders reported strong gains in:

    • Confidence with goal setting

    • Coaching understanding

    • Working with senior professionals

    • Self-belief and voice

    Across cohorts:

    • Circl Match experience rated 9.6–9.9/10

    • Many Future Leaders described feeling empowered, seen, and more confident navigating professional spaces

  • The Social Mobility Insights Day played a critical role in shifting perceptions on both sides:

    • 71.4% of attendees rated the event 5/5

    • All respondents rated the experience 3 or above

    • Attendees repeatedly emphasised the value of hearing real stories and having open, honest conversations

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Conclusion

Through Circl, Emtelle invested in leadership development that doesn’t just teach inclusion, it practices it.

By equipping professionals with real coaching skills and pairing them with Future Leaders from underrepresented backgrounds, Emtelle created a culture of empowerment, reflections, and shared growth. Leaders left the programme more confident, more collaborative, and ore of bringing out the best in their teams.

Discover how Circl can help your leaders build inclusive teams here.

Learn more

Key stats

58% improved confidence as a coach

30% increased in confidence working with young people

100% feel they are more inclusive leaders

100% would recommend Circl

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