ESG Values NL

At Simont Braun, we seek to create a workplace where everyone feels included and respected, no matter the gender, origin, academic background, age, sexual orientation or other specificities. 

Simont Braun has implemented various concrete actions to improve inclusiveness and good governance within the firm. 

Examples of actions undertaken recently:

• Buddy system: for every newcomer at the firm, an internal buddy is appointed as a key contact. The buddy is in charge of welcoming newcomers, answering their questions, making sure they are best included in the team and remains the privileged reference person on the long term. 
• Discussion forums for associates and counsels: all associates and counsels gather on a regular basis to discuss ideas and suggestions to improve life, governance and inclusion at all levels. Reporting and follow-up is then made directly with the managing partners.
• Inclusive meetings and events: for all our internal meetings, timing and format are proposed to as much as possible respect work-life balance, work schedules, family obligations, religious celebrations… Openness and flexibility are essential. During team meetings, we promote a “tour de table” to make sure all participants have the opportunity to express themselves.
• Associates’ representative: a counsel has been chosen as the preferred point of contact for associates, notably to express their questions or potential concerns.

Simont Braun also regularly organises internal workshops and events on chosen topics linked to sustainability questions to raise awareness on these matters. Recently, we held a discussion on work-life balance at the occasion of the International Women’s Rights Day. In December 2021, we organised a workshop with SeeWhy on the importance of ESG issues within the firm and for clients. In Q4 2022, we will organise a wellness week with several activities and workshops such as a yoga class and a workshop on digital detox.

At Simont Braun, we are also committed to creating a more inclusive society and our lawyers take part in many initiatives on a pro bono basis, such as:

• ToekomstAtelierdel’Avenir (TADA): this organisation strives to integrate vulnerable children and teenagers in Brussels by proposing weekend schools and practical workshops with professionals. It organises educational activities to inspire and motivate young people and build bridges for a more inclusive society. In February 2022, Simont Braun animated two classes of children at the Brussels Courthouse. We believe it is crucial to break biases towards the legal profession and such activities have been extremely valuable, on both sides.
• For almost 20 years, Simont Braun has been participating in the 20km run through Brussels as part of the Legal Run team, which supports a local charity each year. In May 2022, Simont Braun’s team was back again to support Kick Cancer. 
• In September 2022, Simont Braun participates in and supports Bike for Kivu, a solidarity race, organised in Belgium to fund sustainable development projects in the Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Simont Braun also supports many selected charities, either through our lawyers’ substantial pro bono involvement (as board members, with pro bono legal advice, etc.) or through donations. We are, for example, strongly connected with the Maison des Migrants, Chapelle de Bourgogne, Infirmiers de Rue ASBL and Pairi Daiza Foundation.

Simont Braun is a co-founding member of the Legal Diversity & Inclusion Alliance (LDIA), a collective network launched in 2018 by several legal practitioners in Belgium. By joining LDIA, members confirm their commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment, exchanging good practices on diversity and inclusion, sharing on their challenges, and raising awareness on non-discrimination and diversity issues by combining efforts to organise workshops and other activities. 

Several partners are members of Guberna, an association with the mission to stimulate good governance in all organisations in Belgium. It has notably actively contributed to the creation and implementation of the Belgian Corporate Governance Code 2020, containing guidelines on how organisations should be managed and controlled. Guberna also organises many seminars and workshops on sustainability and good governance.

Simont Braun is also a member of the following Belgian organisations promoting women in the professional world: Women on Board and Women in Law and Leadership (WILL).

Every year, Simont Braun sponsors the participation of a woman senior associate of the firm to the WILL programme, aimed at fostering and encouraging their professional development through trainings and workshops.