Deon is the Co-Chair of Arcus, the LGBTQ+ Network at Clifford Chance. The network’s initiatives led the firm to reach third place in the 2022 Stonewall index. He created and chaired a Trans and Non-binary Working Group, liaised with senior leadership to implement recommendations, and advocated for greater focus on less-represented groups in the LGBTQ+ communities, leading to events discussing disability in the LGBTQ+ communities and LGBTQ+ people of faith. Deon has been participating in a reverse mentoring program with senior executives and partners on LGBTQ+ issues since 2019 and has been coaching LGBTQ+ trainees and empowering more junior members of Arcus to run projects on the Steering Committee. He also led Arcus initiatives in context of Clifford Chance’s global presence, by developing the firm’s policy for supporting LGBTQ+ people going on international secondment, and increasing collaboration with the global Arcus network to provide greater LGBTQ+ pro bono support and opportunities. In addition, Deon works on litigation for LGBTQ+ rights on a pro bono basis.
