Promoting diversity and inclusion is an important part of Pels Rijcken’s organizational strategy. We believe it is important that everyone can be themselves and feels respected and valued. We are convinced that a mix of experiences, perspectives, backgrounds, and cultures fosters creativity and innovation. This benefits both our services and the overall quality of our organization. As a firm, we are deeply embedded in society, and we therefore strive for our workforce to reflect the diversity of the society we serve.
At the same time, we emphasize that diversity alone is not enough. The true value of diversity can only be realized within an inclusive environment. One in which existing norms and organizational structures are critically examined, and equality is the starting point. Pels Rijcken has signed the Declaration on Diversity in the Legal Profession and the Diversity Charter of the Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands (SER).
Inclusive workplace
We are committed to an inclusive working environment in which everyone feels respected, valued and able to contribute. These principles are embedded in our Code of Conduct. Each year, we measure how inclusive our working environment is perceived to be through our employee satisfaction survey. Experiences with inclusion are also explicitly discussed during exit interviews.
Since August 2025, Pels Rijcken has appointed a full-time D&I Officer, who advises on diversity and inclusion-related matters and supports the further development of our D&I approach. In addition, a D&I sounding board group, made up of colleagues from across the organisation, provides input, shares feedback and contributes ideas based on day-to-day practice.
Cultural diversity
At Pels Rijcken, we actively work to increase (bi)cultural diversity within the firm. We recognise that this diversity is not yet self-evident and are we are committed to creating a working environment where different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences come together. We invest in inclusive and unbiased recruitment and selection, including training selection committees in inclusive interviewing. We actively promote our role as an inclusive employer, both within the firm and externally, through the organisation of internal and external events.
Pels Rijcken is affiliated with Stichting Lequal and Bridget Network. Both organizations are committed to increasing visibility and awareness of of (bi)cultural diversity within the legal profession. Additionally, we have a partnership with Global People.
LHBTIQA+ inclusion
Pels Rijcken has an LGBTIQA+ employee group that represents the interests of LGBTIQA+ colleagues and acts as a sounding board for the Board. The employee group organises activities to ensure and visibly demonstrate that we provide a safe and inclusive working environment for LGBTIQA+ employees. We are also affiliated with Stichting Forward.
Women in leadership
Our aim is an equal balance between women and men at all levels of the firm, including leadership positions. Of the four members of the Board, three are currently women, including the Chair. The Chair of the Supervisory Board is also a woman, as is one of the other two members.
The gender balance among partners fluctuates. As of 1 April 2026, the firm has 15 female partners and 22 male partners. A large majority of the heads of our business support departments are women. Supporting the advancement of women to senior and leadership positions requires continued attention as well as tailored approaches, and we are committed to providing both.
People with disabilities
At Pels Rijcken, we believe it is important that everyone has the opportunity to participate in the labour market. We therefore offer employment to people with a physical or mental disability, who currently make up approximately 3% of our workforce.
We work together with Pantar, a social learning and employment organisation, and are affiliated with the Onbeperkt aan de Slag platform. Through these partnerships, we create suitable workplaces and continue to learn how to build an inclusive working environment for everyone.