CMS Cameron McKenna has followed Linklaters' lead and published staff diversity statistics ahead of a controversial new requirement from the Legal Services Board (LSB) that will make such reporting compulsory from December 2012.

Results from the voluntary survey, which saw 50% of all UK lawyers and staff participating, indicate the firm needs to make ground with improving both racial and gender diversity in its partnership.

The firm has said that increasing the number of women in its partnership is a key priority, with men currently making up 78% of partners. Of those taking part in the survey, none are from a black or black British background, with 97% classed as white.

Representation of black or black British lawyers is similar across all of the firm's ranks; however, the firm has a higher percentage of Asian associates and trainees, at 7% and 5% respectively.

The survey also questioned staff on social mobility. It found 29% of trainees were educated at independent schools compared with 35% of partners and 25% of UK staff. Meanwhile, 48% of partners taking part in the survey were the first generation in their family to go to university, compared with 40% of associates. Most of the firm's lawyers at all levels attended one of the UK's leading Russell Group universities.

CMS diversity and inclusion partner Daniel Winterfeldt said: "The priority area must be how we can improve opportunities for women, particularly partner promotion and how we can prolong the career of women who have had children."

Camerons' survey also questioned participants about age, disability, religion and sexual orientation.

At Linklaters, 78% of UK partners are male, 1% have a disability and 89% are white. Within the associate ranks the number that are white fell to 74%, dropping to 65% for trainees. Some 38% of partners were privately educated, dipping marginally to 31% of associates and 34% of trainees.