As part of the partnership, the firm will become a JAM (Just a Minute) Card friendly business.

The NOW Group is based in Northern Ireland and has recently expanded into Dublin, Monaghan, Cavan, Louth and Meath with a pilot programme running in Galway. It commits to empowering individuals to gain the skills and access to meaningful employment.

It achieves this through tailored employment academies, which provide participants with industry-specific training and work placements, and through their social enterprise businesses Loaf Catering and Cafes and Loaf Pottery.

A key element of NOW Group’s services is the JAM Card — a tool that allows people with invisible disabilities to discreetly ask for patience in everyday interactions, whether socially or professionally.

The JAM Card is available as a physical card or an app, both free of charge to access, with currently over 182,500 users.

As a JAM Card friendly business, staff at ALG will undertake tailored eLearning training, to help equip the firm’s people with the skills required to support those with visible and invisible disabilities.

Everyone will be trained to recognise and respond to the JAM Card, making the experience more comfortable for those with non-visible disabilities, whilst fostering a culture of understanding and neurodiversity.

Across Ireland and Northern Ireland, JAM Card friendly businesses include Bank of Ireland, Transport for Ireland, ALDI, Vodafone and Citi Bank. Currently over 3,000 global organisations are regarded as being JAM Card Friendly.

Sinead Smith, head of responsible business at ALG, said: “The partnership with the NOW Group supports our overall ambition of being a more diverse and inclusive organisation and to employ more people from underrepresented groups in our firm.

“It will also help us in fostering a more empathetic and supportive environment, where different perspectives and talents are valued.

“This not only enhances diversity in our firm but also promotes a sense of belonging and mutual respect among employees. We look forward to working in partnership with the NOW Group over the next three years.”

Maeve Monaghan, CEO of NOW Group, added: “We are delighted that A&L Goodbody is investing in JAM Card training for all staff.

“As a social enterprise, we are dedicated to championing diversity and equality for all, however, we can’t achieve this alone. It’s essential that we collaborate with public and private organisations in Ireland and further afield to promote inclusivity for everyone.

“We are thrilled to have such a prestigious law firm join us on this journey, and we are expectant about the long-term impact this three-year partnership will have on staff and clients alike.”

As part of the partnership, ALG will also continue to provide pro bono legal advice to NOW Group.

To date, the firm has already supported Now Group with over 200 pro bono hours advising on matters of corporate governance, property, employment and intellectual property.