As part of its commitment to broadening access to the legal profession, Baker McKenzie's London office has today launched its new 'Beginnings at Baker McKenzie' Programme, an 18-month social mobility-focused development scheme for Year 12 students interested in a career in law.
Each year, 20 students will be selected to take part in the programme, which aims to increase access to the legal profession for students from lower socio-economic backgrounds and empower them to build the industry skills and social capital needed to thrive in the legal profession.
In addition to attending regular skills sessions, networking events and a summer work experience placement at the Firm, each student will be assigned a mentor to support them throughout the programme. During Year 13, participants will also receive UCAS support, negotiation and presentation skills training and be offered opportunities to attend events before starting university.
At the end of Year 13, students who demonstrate a strong commitment and deep interest in law can apply for the 'Futures at Baker McKenzie Programme', which will offer further support and development opportunities during their first year at university. As part of this programme, participants will also receive financial support, workshops with the Firm's London Graduate Recruitment team, and an opportunity to be part of the Firm's 'First Year Insight Scheme'.
The launch of these new programmes builds on the Firm's existing initiatives to support those from lower socio-economic backgrounds including:
• increasing our maintenance grants for future trainees and introducing two new grants to give additional aid to those experiencing financial difficulty;
• introducing specialised open days for future recruits, including one aimed at those from lower socio-economic backgrounds; and
• working with external partners such as PRIME, Aspiring Solicitors, City Solicitors Horizon and Rare Recruitment to increase the number of candidates we hire from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Baker McKenzie's London Graduate Recruitment Partner, Priyanka Usmani, commented:
"As a Firm, we are committed to supporting and enhancing client outcomes by recruiting the best talent, irrespective of socio-economic background. We have already put in place a number of successful initiatives to help us achieve this and the launch of the Beginnings at Baker McKenzie Programme, which focuses on early engagement, will help to further level the playing field and create equality of opportunity for individuals from a non-traditional background entering the legal profession.”
Each year, 20 students will be selected to take part in the programme, which aims to increase access to the legal profession for students from lower socio-economic backgrounds and empower them to build the industry skills and social capital needed to thrive in the legal profession.
In addition to attending regular skills sessions, networking events and a summer work experience placement at the Firm, each student will be assigned a mentor to support them throughout the programme. During Year 13, participants will also receive UCAS support, negotiation and presentation skills training and be offered opportunities to attend events before starting university.
At the end of Year 13, students who demonstrate a strong commitment and deep interest in law can apply for the 'Futures at Baker McKenzie Programme', which will offer further support and development opportunities during their first year at university. As part of this programme, participants will also receive financial support, workshops with the Firm's London Graduate Recruitment team, and an opportunity to be part of the Firm's 'First Year Insight Scheme'.
The launch of these new programmes builds on the Firm's existing initiatives to support those from lower socio-economic backgrounds including:
• increasing our maintenance grants for future trainees and introducing two new grants to give additional aid to those experiencing financial difficulty;
• introducing specialised open days for future recruits, including one aimed at those from lower socio-economic backgrounds; and
• working with external partners such as PRIME, Aspiring Solicitors, City Solicitors Horizon and Rare Recruitment to increase the number of candidates we hire from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Baker McKenzie's London Graduate Recruitment Partner, Priyanka Usmani, commented:
"As a Firm, we are committed to supporting and enhancing client outcomes by recruiting the best talent, irrespective of socio-economic background. We have already put in place a number of successful initiatives to help us achieve this and the launch of the Beginnings at Baker McKenzie Programme, which focuses on early engagement, will help to further level the playing field and create equality of opportunity for individuals from a non-traditional background entering the legal profession.”
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