B Corp Certification Process

As a law firm focused on challenging legal culture, our Founder & CEO, Mandeep Kaur Virdee made the decision to become B Corp certified because we strongly believe in using our business as a force for good.

After over a year of working hard to become certified, KaurMaxwell received its B Corp certification in May 2023. This allows us to align our values and operations with a global movement of companies that are committed to meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.

The B Corp certification process involved a rigorous assessment process conducted by B Lab UK, the non-profit organisation that certifies companies. This assessment, known as the B Impact Assessment (BIA), evaluated our performance in several areas, including governance, workers, community, environment and customers. We demonstrated our commitment to balancing purpose and profit and met the rigorous standards set by B Lab,.

As a B Corp, KaurMaxwell is committed to doing business differently to traditional law firms in the following ways:

1.    Legal Structure

We adopted a legal structure that allows us to consider the impact of our decisions on all stakeholders, including employees, clients, the community and the environment.

By prioritising stakeholder interests over solely maximising shareholder value, we make decisions that align with our broader mission.

2.    Mission and Governance

To reflect our commitment to our social and environmental goals, we revised our mission statement and governing documents.

We have goals for sustainability, diversity and inclusion, pro bono work and community engagement.

3.    Transparency and Accountability

As part of our dedication to transparency in our operations, both internally and externally, we regularly report on our social and environmental performance, providing transparency to our stakeholders.

This accounts to our commitment and ensures that we are continuously improving our practices.

4.    Employee Engagement

The well-being and development of our employees is our priority.

We consistently provide them with opportunities for professional growth, fair compensation, and a supportive work environment.

By fostering a positive workplace culture, we believe we can create better outcomes for both our employees and our clients.

The BIA allowed us to learn a great deal about the areas we are currently excelling in, provided a framework to measure our positive impact and highlighted the areas where improvements can and will be made. It helped us identify specific challenges and gaps in our operations, such as reducing our carbon footprint, improving diversity and inclusion efforts, and enhancing community engagement.

The BIA provided a framework to measure and benchmark our performance against some of the world’s most ethical and sustainably operated businesses, which allowed us to develop strategies for addressing these challenges.

Looking ahead, we have set specific goals and areas for improvement to further enhance our social and environmental impact.

1.    Environmental Sustainability

We are working towards reducing our carbon footprint, minimising waste, and adopting sustainable practices within our operations. This includes implementing energy-efficient technologies, advocating for a paperless practice, and promoting sustainable transportation options for employees.

2.    Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We have set goals to increase representation and promote equal opportunities for individuals from underrepresented groups. We are also focused on enhancing cultural competency and creating an inclusive environment for our clients.

3.    Community Engagement

We aim to strengthen our community engagement efforts by increasing our pro bono work, partnering with local non-profits and supporting initiatives that align with our values. We want to leverage our legal expertise to make a positive impact on communities in need.

4.    Continuous Improvement

We understand that becoming a B Corp is not a one-time achievement, it is an ongoing commitment. We will continue to assess our performance, set new targets, and refine our practices to improve our social and environmental impact.

By setting these goals and focusing on areas for improvement, we strive to continuously raise the bar for our business practices and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future.