Law Firms unite to offer work experience to school pupils – Get involved!

Posted on27 July 2022

A Linkedin post by Sarah Cook, VWV; Samantha Lee, Womble Bond Dickinson and Ellen Marsh, The University of Law - July 2022

It all started out with an ambition to establish formal Partnerships between every school in Bristol…

…the journey has well and truly commenced!

The Bristol Legal community has joined forces to collaborate on a shared goal: improving access to careers in the legal sector.

So far, 15 firms have joined a new Early Careers Network with the aim of collaborating on projects designed to improve social mobility in the sector.

Last week, a group of firms ran a week long insight week for Y10 pupils, designed to give them hands-on, real life experience of working in law.

The firms welcomed students from DOWNEND SCHOOL, Mangotsfield School, Bradley Stoke Community School and Brimsham Green School. Students spent time at VWV, Bevan Brittan LLP, Michelmores, Clarke Willmott, Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP and Foot Anstey LLP and also met with Ellen from The University of Law.

The week was a mixture of activities, legal exercises, employability and team building skills. Not only did students learn about a career in law, but also the array of other roles within the sector.

All firms found the week hugely rewarding and successful. We know that this is the start of something really special for the legal sector ⭐️

Our appeal is for other law firms to join us on our journey by collaborating with us on this hugely important mission. We must all take responsibility for inspiring the next generation in our sector and raise aspirations of young people in our communities.

If you’d like to join the network, please contact Sarah Cook, Samantha Lee or Ellen Marsh.

A HUGE thanks to the six firms for hosting the students, and to the INCREDIBLE students that joined us all. You were all a credit to yourselves, your schools and your families. We hope that you enjoyed the week as much as we did!

Burges Salmon has been an enthusiastic supporter of BLS for many years. BLS provides a valuable role in uniting and promoting the whole of the legal sector across Bristol to benefit both its members and the city. It facilitates collaboration across the sector to ensure that we can all make a difference. Whether that is driving important initiatives in, for example, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the use of new technologies, liaising with stakeholders and charities in our wider community or providing training to generations of lawyers, the service and support provided by BLS is invaluable. More recently BLS has taken a lead on promoting Bristol’s legal brand, encouraging legal and business services talent to come to the city, which in turn attracts clients and inward investment to our thriving and vibrant commercial community. BLS breaks down barriers and brings those in the profession together for the greater good. We are proud of our long-standing association with BLS.
Roger Bull - Managing Partner, Burges Salmon
Three things to say about my experience of working with Bristol Law Society. Their central team, council members and general hangers-on are just about the nicest, most generous group of people working in the legal sector today. The numerous events, awards, socials and conferences I’ve had the pleasure to attend over the years have been, without exception, top quality and supremely organised. And, thirdly, they consistently exceed and challenge the boundaries of what lawyers might assume a regional Law Society will restrict activities to – from a hugely successful charitable school meals drive to corporate social responsibility and diversity campaigns to being joint architects and coordinators of the region’s unique Bristol+BathLegalTech group, which it has been my privilege to co-chair for the last five years.
Chris Bull - Principal, Edge International
As one of the leading Insurance brokers for law firms in the UK and with a large presence in Bristol it seemed only natural for us to support the Bristol Law Society. Bristol Law Society is one of the oldest and most vibrant of the Law Societies in England and Wales. We are pleased to be working with them on important matters relating to law firms’ liability insurances and Risk Management. From Sole Practitioner to Top 20 law firms we are sure our two organisations can provide excellent support and assistance for the challenges faced by the legal profession.
Matthew Baker - Financial Lines Group, Howden Insurance Brokers Ltd
Joining BLS in 2013 and becoming President in 2018/19 has created many longstanding friendships and business relationships, whilst also unlocking doors to other opportunities in the City. BLS enabled a perfect balance of professional development and also opportunities to give back to the legal and wider community. I am pleased that my Firm has supported BLS in many capacities since 2013 and continues to do so.
Nicholas Lee- Managing Director of Paragon Costs Solutions and Past President of BLS