Bates Wells
What is Bates Wells?
Bates Wells is a law firm built on the belief that profit and purpose belong on equal footing — it was the UK’s first law firm to achieve B Corp certification. The firm has been at the forefront of pioneering legal cases, including winning worker status for an estimated 5.5 million gig-economy workers in the Uber Supreme Court case, and successfully representing the former trustees of Kids Company. Bates Wells operates a hybrid working model from its City of London office, and its Diversity & Inclusion Forum (DIF) brings together seven employee networks, including Queen Street Pride (QSP) for LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies.
Making a profit is core to all businesses, but at Bates Wells we strive to make a positive social impact as much as we strive to be a successful law firm. Our top tier legal advice is coupled with a real desire to drive change and we were the first UK law firm with B Corp certification. We believe that the “classic” economic model – with businesses focusing solely on maximising profit while doing some good deeds on the side – isn’t sustainable. Corporate Social Responsibility is a start, but it’s only a start. Instead, we’re part of the movement that puts profits and purpose on equal footing. Both must be present for the long-term sustainability of business.
Focusing on both profit and purpose has involved integrating some important beliefs into our business operations. Our values are pivotal to us, they shape our decisions, and we embody them in the way we live and work.
Today, our clients are diverse, from corporate household names, to public bodies, to start ups. We’re also the firm of choice for thousands of charities and social enterprises. We continue to lead the market that we helped to shape.
What notable cases has Bates Wells brought?
From winning worker status in the groundbreaking Uber Supreme Court case for an estimated 5.5 million workers in the gig economy, to representing the former trustees of Kids Company in their successful challenge to the Official Receiver’s decision to attempt to disqualify them as directors following the charity’s unfortunate insolvency, Bates Wells has been at the forefront of pioneering cases to defend or bring positive change in society and defend those bringing about that change.
What is hybrid working like at Bates Wells?
We appreciate that we all work effectively in different ways. To enable our people to thrive and succeed we want to work in a flexible, modern way which allows people the opportunity to work in a hybrid manner. For us, hybrid simply means that work is something that we do, not somewhere that we go. This could mean working from home, in our offices, at our client’s premises and at events, networking opportunities and conferences. Most of our people said they’d like flexibility when deciding how to split their week. We believe it’s helpful to have a common framework and structure to maximize everyone’s effectiveness.
Our expectation is that all of our people will spend at least two days each week in our office space and at least one of these days should be your team day. There is no limit to the number of days you can come in. We are asking all of our new joiners to spend more time in our offices when they first start. We believe this will help to learn our culture faster, and get to know people more easily. We would expect new joiners to spend at least four days each week working from our offices in the first month. Our office is based in the heart of the City of London and we have access to a fantastic roof terrace which overlooks the River Thames – perfect for enjoying lunch with colleagues over the summer.
What benefits does Bates Wells offer?
Key benefits
- 25 days annual leave, increasing with service and seniority
- An additional day’s leave over the Christmas period
- Group personal pension through salary sacrifice (sustainable fund as default) with matched contributions up to 5%
- Annual bonus scheme through profit share
- Life assurance and access to bereavement counselling if you lose a loved one, which includes probate support
- Interest-free staff travel loans
Health and wellbeing
- Private medical insurance
- Income protection
- Health cash plan
- Help at hand — including medical 2nd opinions, physiotherapy, and mental health support
- Cycle to work scheme
- Discounted gym membership options
- Employee assistance programme including free counselling service
- Free access to BUPA’s Menopause Plan
- Further wellbeing support including access to mental health first aiders
Lifestyle
- Enhanced family leave pay
- Allowance for equipment to support hybrid working
- Holiday purchase options
- Payroll giving to causes which matter to you
- Two volunteering days each year
- Discounts on B Corp companies and products
- Climate perks for switching to suppliers or making green choices
- As a Climate Perks accredited employer, paid travel time where colleagues elect to travel via land or sea rather than air
- Career break and sabbatical options for those with longer lengths of service
- Summer in the city — finish at 4pm one day each week in July and August
How does Bates Wells approach diversity and inclusion?
We’re incredibly proud of our people, their individuality and their creativity. At Bates Wells, everyone is encouraged to develop, innovate and participate in activities to promote a truly equal, diverse and inclusive environment. Our Diversity & Inclusion Forum (DIF) brings together the elements which make for a diverse and inclusive culture. They create a comprehensive DIF strategy which sets out our key objectives and actions for the future.
DIF acts as an umbrella for our creative groups and networks to flourish. These are led by ambassadors who play a key role in fostering that enthusiasm and creativity.
What employee networks does Bates Wells have?
- Bates Wellness — For a healthy body, mind, and sense of belonging.
- Gender Equality — Focused on gender equality across the firm; collaborates with QSP on intersectionality.
- Faith — Supports colleagues across different faiths and beliefs.
- QSP — Queen Street Pride — Our inclusive network for LGBT+ colleagues and allies. See the dedicated section below.
- REACH and RISE — Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage network.
- STEP — For social mobility.
- Unstoppable — Focuses on disability, neurodiversity, and caring responsibilities.
How does Bates Wells support LGBTQ+ employees?
Queen Street Pride (QSP) is our inclusive LGBT+ network for lawyers and staff within the firm who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex or queer (‘LGBT+’), as well as their allies and supporters. QSP’s work goes beyond community-building — it has directly shaped firm-wide policy.
What is Queen Street Pride (QSP)?
The network exists to empower and support our LGBT+ members to perform to their fullest potential, encourage active allyship and promote education and awareness around all things LGBT+.
The network contributes to developing a stronger, more inclusive culture at Bates Wells, by creating a sense of belonging for all.
Through educating and raising awareness, QSP also fosters advocacy and allyship across the firm. Our straight allies are as much a part of the network as those who identify as LGBT+: we all play a role in promoting inclusivity and LGBT+ equality.
What policies has QSP helped create at Bates Wells?
QSP collaborates closely with all our DIF groups, particularly our Gender Equality group, to help grow and develop an understanding of intersectionality across the firm. QSP also works with our HR team, acting as a forum and advisory body, to create inclusion-focused policies and guidance to help remove barriers. Most recently the network contributed to the firm’s Gender-Neutral Language guidance and both our Transgender Inclusion Policy and accompanying Transitioning Guidance. We are working hard to make all our processes and policies inclusive regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, and to dismantle discriminatory barriers where we find them.
At Bates Wells we’re deeply proud of our culture, and we have a strong reputation as an inclusive and welcoming workplace for everyone, including those who identify as LGBT+. We want to be an employer of choice for those from the LGBT+ community.
Awards & Recognition
B Corp certification
- The UK’s first B Corp certified law firm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions candidates most often ask about Bates Wells:
What is Bates Wells?
Bates Wells is a law firm that puts profit and purpose on equal footing. It was the UK’s first law firm to achieve B Corp certification, and its clients range from corporate household names to public bodies, start-ups, charities, and social enterprises.
Why was Bates Wells the UK’s first B Corp law firm?
Bates Wells believes the classic economic model — maximising profit while doing good deeds on the side — isn’t sustainable, and instead puts profit and purpose on equal footing. B Corp certification reflects that commitment being built into the firm’s operations rather than treated as Corporate Social Responsibility on the side.
What is the Uber Supreme Court case Bates Wells won?
Bates Wells won worker status for an estimated 5.5 million workers in the gig economy in the groundbreaking Uber Supreme Court case.
What was the Kids Company case?
Bates Wells represented the former trustees of Kids Company in their successful challenge to the Official Receiver’s decision to attempt to disqualify them as directors following the charity’s insolvency.
What is hybrid working like at Bates Wells?
Bates Wells operates a hybrid model where people work from home, the office, client premises, or events. All colleagues are expected to spend at least two days a week in the office, including one fixed team day, with no upper limit on office days. New joiners are expected in the office at least four days a week during their first month.
Where is the Bates Wells office?
The Bates Wells office is in the heart of the City of London, with access to a roof terrace overlooking the River Thames.
Is Bates Wells an LGBTQ+ inclusive employer?
Yes. Bates Wells’ Queen Street Pride (QSP) network supports LGBT+ colleagues and allies, and has directly contributed to firm policy — including the Gender-Neutral Language guidance, the Transgender Inclusion Policy, and accompanying Transitioning Guidance.
What is Queen Street Pride (QSP)?
QSP is Bates Wells’ inclusive network for lawyers and staff who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, or queer, as well as their allies and supporters. It exists to empower LGBT+ members, encourage active allyship, and promote education and awareness.
What policies has QSP helped create?
QSP has contributed to the firm’s Gender-Neutral Language guidance, its Transgender Inclusion Policy, and the accompanying Transitioning Guidance, working closely with HR as a forum and advisory body.
What employee networks does Bates Wells have?
Bates Wells has seven employee networks under its Diversity & Inclusion Forum (DIF): Bates Wellness, Gender Equality, Faith, Queen Street Pride (QSP), REACH and RISE, STEP, and Unstoppable.
What benefits does Bates Wells offer?
Benefits include 25 days annual leave increasing with service, a group personal pension with matched contributions up to 5%, an annual profit-share bonus, private medical insurance, a free BUPA Menopause Plan, two paid volunteering days a year, Climate Perks paid travel time for land or sea travel, and a 4pm finish one day a week in July and August, among others.
How do I apply for a role at Bates Wells?
Check the Jobs tab at the top of this page for current opportunities at Bates Wells or the button option below.