Brabners and a collective of leading Liverpool law firms have teamed up with the city’s Chamber of Commerce to launch a new programme designed to widen access to the legal profession.
The new Law Programme is part of The School-Business Network – a public-private network established by Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Chamber of Commerce to increase access to work experience, raise aspirations and highlight detailed career pathways for students in the city region. The legal initiative has been created specifically to support students’ who would not normally get the opportunity, to work with firms from across the city to raise aspirations and promote careers in law.
A launch event, co-ordinated and hosted by Brabners, saw 15 students from colleges and sixth forms across the city region engage in a day-long series of legal skills workshops, precedent case studies and delivering legal arguments all supported by firms including Weightmans, MSB, In-House Legal Solutions, Jackson Lees and Carpenters.
Currently, less than one in five (17%) UK lawyers come from a lower socio-economic background compared to 39% of the general population.
Usha Sharma, senior associate at Brabners, said:
“Diversity and social mobility have long been a challenge for the legal sector and, while progress has been made in recent years, there is room for us to do so much more as an industry. As a purpose-driven firm, we aim to demonstrate that business can act as a force for good – particularly in contributing to a more inclusive society. Having created the Maurice Watkins Bursary in 2022, leading this element of The School Business Network is another positive step. It has been really enjoyable collaborating with other firms to deliver this programme and we all look forward to welcoming more firms as it develops.”
Paul Cherpeau, Chief Executive of Liverpool Chamber, said:
“We are delighted to see the School Business Network Legal Programme come to fruition after months of co-design with Liverpool City Council, Brabners and the firms taking part in the programme.
“We established the School Business Network to give students access to meaningful interactions with business owners and entrepreneurs, and to help our business community influence future skills provision for young people, so it is fantastic to further develop these aims through the Legal Programme. We are hoping to grow the programme to feature a greater number of law firms so that we can continue to create positive outcomes for schools, students and businesses.”
Cllr Tom Logan, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said:
“We want Liverpool to be a city of opportunity. Institutions of the city need to work together to make this happen.
“Linking schools with business is key to making sure that our young people get the best possible opportunity to achieve their potential.
“I am really pleased that the Law firms and Liverpool Chamber are working with us on this.
“I know the law firms were really impressed with the students they met and the students had such an amazing insight into the different sectors of law.
“This was a great example of how collaboration, through the School Business Network, can support the way we work with business and other sectors to make sure that we are doing all we can to level up opportunities for young people.”
For more information visit: https://www.brabners.com/