Law firm recognised in O Shaped’s inaugural O List showcasing legal profession trailblazers

Tom Lyas, Head of Resourcing and Social Mobility, and Katie White, Trainee Solicitor, have been named as two of the 25 individuals in the O List, launched by O Shaped to showcase individuals across the legal sector who regularly go above and beyond to make the legal profession better for those who are in it, those who use it and those who are entering it. 

Browne Jacobson was the first law firm to join the O Shaped movement in 2022, which was launched by former Network Rail General Counsel Dan Kayne to drive positive change across the legal sector. The initiative sets out its O Shaped Mindset and Attributes for lawyers to hone, with a view to making the legal profession a more connected, engaged and inclusive environment. 

Tom has been instrumental in Browne Jacobson’s positive impact on social mobility within the legal profession and beyond. He is the architect of the firm’s multi-award-winning FAIRE programme and has overseen the firm’s rise to being the No.1 ranked law firm within The Social Mobility Foundation’s Employer Index for three consecutive years.

Since joining the firm in September 2022 and part of the Commercial Dispute Resolution team, Katie has been a core member of the firm’s Birmingham office charity committee, taking ownership in organising and developing fundraising events such as competitions, charity raffles, donations of children’s toys, women’s toiletry packages, and back-to-school stationary packs for our local office charities.

For the O List decision process, the general counsel judges used the O Shaped Mindset and Attributes framework to help guide their decision making and their judging was blind to any names, roles or organisations.

Tom Lyas, Head of Resourcing and Social Mobility at Browne Jacobson, says: “Being named on the O List is just incredible. I always approach my work with optimism, openness, and originality, so O Shaped is a natural fit for our team. If you don’t take a people focussed approach in everything you do, you’ve got to ask yourself what’s the point? We’re all humans after all, so let’s communicate and collaborate that way”

Katie White, Trainee Solicitor at Browne Jacobson, says: “I am honoured to be recognised as someone within the legal industry who has gone above and beyond to make the legal profession better for those working in and entering it. I am passionate about the O Shaped movement, and its aim to drive positive change across the legal sector.  I hope to continue to work towards developing my O Shaped skills through my engagement with clients.”