Case Study: Circl & Baker McKenzie
How Baker McKenzie Embedded Coaching, Inclusion and Social Mobility into Leadership Development
About Baker McKenzie
Industry: Law
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.
“Circl has contributed in many ways to how we lead our people, how we focus on inclusivity, and how personally, I lead.”
Kate Stonestreet, Global Chief Operating Officer at Baker McKenzie
The Solution
Coaching Programmes and Community-Led Experiences
Our Work with Baker McKenzie
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 1-2-1 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
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
78 attendees at Social Mobility Insights Day
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
71.4% rated the event 5/5
“I have found the course really insightful particularly in terms of I’ve found the course really insightful, particularly in terms of active learning and active listening, and how that’s helped not only my work relationships, but my personal relationships as well.”
Sarah Gerrard, Senior Legal Project Manager at Baker McKenzie
The Impact
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Across the Leader as Coach programmes, professionals reported significant improvement across coaching skills, including:
Active listening
Effective questioning
Building trust
Goal setting and empowerment
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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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A defining feature of the partnership was mutuality. Professionals and Future Leaders coached each other—creating shared learning rather than a one-directional model.
“I helped change my match’s perception of experienced professionals—and learned just as much from her.”
— Baker McKenzie professionalSenior leaders also reinforced the importance of this approach:
“By communicating and sharing our stories, we ensure we harness a broader pool of diverse talent.”
— Antonio Suarez-Martinez, GSK (panellist)
Through its partnership with Circl, Baker McKenzie has embedded coaching as a core leadership skill while advancing its commitment to social mobility and inclusion.
By combining structured coaching programmes with community-led experiences, the firm has created leaders who listen more deeply, empower more confidently, and engage more authentically, with impact that extends far beyond the programme itself.
Discover how Circl can help your leaders build inclusive teams here.
Key stats
92% of professionals met or exceeded programme objectives
8.6/10 overall programme rating from professionals
