Addleshaw Goddard is aiming for a 25% female partnership by 2014 in one of a number of new targets set out to bolster diversity within the firm.

The national firm has also laid down a commitment to having 10% of all its employees from a black or minority ethnic (BME) background by 2014.

Currently, 20% of the firm's partnership is female – an above-average proportion among the UK's top 20 law firms.

The targets were drawn up over the summer and will see practice areas define key performance indicators in an effort achieve results.

The firm ruled out 'positive discrimination' a means to achieve the targets, saying it would continue with existing schemes such as mentoring and part-time working for equity partners.

The project will be run by diversity manager Mary Gallagher and overseen by chairman Monica Burch. Burch (pictured) is the firm's first female chairman and one of a handful of women in senior management positions across the top 50 UK firms.

A spokesperson for the firm commented: "The world of work is changing, and our clients now rightly expect to see a diverse workforce combined with a forward-looking and innovative partnership. We aim to continue to deliver both the highest level of service to our clients and the best opportunities to our people."

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