People
At RDJ, we are dedicated to building an uplifting culture that prioritises equity, diversity and inclusion, ensuring every person feels valued and empowered.
Diversity & Inclusion
We’re committed to fostering an environment of diversity and inclusion through recruitment, career development and community outreach.
Investors in Diversity Standard
We place a diversity and inclusion lens on all our people practices. RDJ has been awarded the Irish Centre for Diversity ‘Investors in Diversity Silver Standard’ which measures the sense of fairness and belonging through our employees’ perspective.
Diversity Scholarships
We have set up Diversity Scholarship & Placement Programmes in University College Cork and University of Galway to support law students from underrepresented and ethnically diverse backgrounds.
Support for LGBTQ+
In June 2024, we hosted an event with co-hosts of the podcast “I’m grand Mam” to raise funds for Belong To Youth Services, a national organisation supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex young people.
Gender Equality
We’re committed to elevating and celebrating the power of women in the legal profession and beyond.
Gender Balance
RDJ is a participant in the 30% Club, a collaborative business-led effort to make real change in Ireland, aiming towards increased female representation in senior management. Through our participation in the 30% Club, we are committed to women comprising at least 30% of RDJ's senior management team.
Supporting Diversity across the Legal Profession
RDJ recently signed up for a new Bar Council Equitable Briefing Policy which seeks to encourage fairer distribution of work to female barristers. The Policy which was formally launched in March 2023 aims to address the under-representation of women in certain practice areas, and the fact that just 20% of senior counsel are women.
Women in Leadership Series
This event series aims to inform and inspire women about gender inequality and gender balance. Our recent events include:
- In March 2024, we hosted Fuel Your Potential in Galway where our panel of speakers looked at how tailored approaches to female health, nutrition and performance can be game-changing but are often overlooked in favour of a one-size-fits-all approach. Read more
- In February 2024, we hosted Building a FEMPIRE in Cork, where five female founders who have all helped establish successful businesses focused on female health shared their stories of transformation, resilience and purpose. Read more
- In March 2023, we held an event in Dublin where Afghan Women Rights Activist and RDJ employee, Mahbooba Faiz shared the story of her escape from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Mahbooba’s story is one of personal courage and resilience, but also a stark reminder that we need to continue to raise awareness of the struggle for women’s equality across the world. Read more
Championing Women in STEM
RDJ sponsors I Wish, an initiative that inspires young women to explore STEM careers and actively contribute to future economies. Since it began in 2015, over 50,000 girls from 28 countries have discovered exciting career opportunities in STEM through outreach events, mentorship and twinning programmes.
Related videos
Culture First – Well within the Law
Under a new innovative pilot mental health and wellbeing programme, corporate law firm, RDJ in partnership with the Law Society of Ireland and SEVEN, recognised leaders in the field of organisational psychology, is making moves to address the mental wellbeing challenge facing professionals in the legal sector.
RDJ Diversity Scholarship
The RDJ Diversity Scholarship supports students from Minority Ethnic Backgrounds studying Law at University College Cork and University of Galway, with the aim of encouraging diversity in the legal profession in Ireland.
Employee Wellbeing
At RDJ, we believe in work-life harmony, ensuring everyone feels supported to be their best in their professional and personal lives.
Family Friendly Workplace Policy
We support employees at all levels who have family or other caring responsibilities. These supports include part-time working options, paid maternity, adoptive, paternity and parental leave. We also offer surrogacy leave, leave for early-stage pregnancy loss and leave for fertility treatments.
Reconnect Policy
Our ‘Reconnect’ policy provides guidelines to those going on extended periods of leave such as maternity or extended sick leave. We guide employees before, during and after the period to ensure they feel supported and engaged whilst away and on their return. This ensures that we acknowledge every individual’s career aspiration, that they are fairly considered for any opportunities, and that their transition back to the workplace is as smooth as possible with part-time and remote work opportunities.
RDJ Wellness Committee
We have a dedicated cross-office wellness team that plans, promotes, and implements wellness initiatives for employees to improve their mental and physical health.
Award-Winning Supports
Our firm has been awarded Ibec’s workplace wellness accreditation, the KeepWell Mark and is listed in Ibec’s 2024 Leading in Wellbeing Top 100 Companies.
Mental Health First Aid
A team made up of caring, fellow employees across the firm’s three offices who have received specialist training in how best to support a colleague who may be experiencing a mental health issue and in connecting them with appropriate support where needed.
Culture First | Well within the Law
It is widely recognised that there are unique stressors and wellbeing challenges that come with working in a law firm. Under a new innovative pilot mental health and wellbeing programme, RDJ has partnered with the Law Society of Ireland and SEVEN, recognised leaders in the field of organisational psychology, to address the mental wellbeing challenge facing professionals in the legal sector.
Wellness Rooms
Taking breaks during the workday is essential for maintaining optimal productivity, mental clarity, and overall well-being. Our offices have designated wellness rooms that provide quiet, soothing spaces where employees can decompress, meditate, or take a power nap. The space also accommodates employees with maternity needs.
