- Supported by Osborne Clarke's bonus from Microsoft's Law Firm Diversity Programme, the firm launches the pilot Osborne Clarke Scholars long-term scholarship programme
- Welcomed eight ethnic minority students on work experience as part of the ongoing OC REACH Talent Programme
- Offered three training contracts and a fixed term contract to participants of the #10000 Black Interns (#10KBI) 2023 programme
Osborne Clarke has announced the launch and expansion of several engagement programmes that see the firm invest in early-stage talent and support black and ethnic minority students.
"As we approach the end of the year, it's wonderful to celebrate the progress we're making in creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace, where black and ethnic minority colleagues can thrive. We continue to grow representation and improve engagement, and we are only just getting started ", said Bola Gibson, Osborne Clarke's Head of Responsible Business.
As part of the firm's Race Action Plan the engagement programmes aim to develop and broaden the recruitment talent pool and increase ethnic minority representation.
Bola said, "In March this year, we introduced our long-term Race Action Plan. The plan identified areas where we need greater focus to deliver equitable outcomes. There's no quick fix and it's an ongoing journey – but we are taking meaningful action to effect real change.
"Underrepresentation persists in the legal sector and the pipeline of talent into partnership can be difficult to tackle. By actively investing in early-stage talent programmes, it helps us to diversify our talent pipeline and we're already beginning to see positive outcomes."
Osborne Clarke Scholars
Osborne Clarke has launched a pilot programme, Osborne Clarke Scholars, a multi-year scholarship, mentoring and personal development programme for university students from racial and ethnic minority communities interested in pursuing a career in private practice.
In 2022, Osborne Clarke's progress on diversity and inclusion (D&I) was recognised by Microsoft as part of its Law Firm Diversity Programme (LFDP). The LFDP is an incentive-based programme that provides financial bonuses for achieving and/or exceeding diversity representation goals. Every year, Microsoft reviews and iterates on the LFDP diversity goals to enable and ensure continued progress.
Osborne Clarke's financial bonus from Microsoft is being reinvested in the firm's D&I programmes and is being used to fund the Osborne Clarke Scholars pilot programme.
Osborne Clarke Scholars will provide successful undergraduate students with financial support, paid work experience, a place on Osborne Clarke's vacation scheme and mentoring with a junior and senior mentor throughout their university degree.
"We're thrilled to be launching this pilot programme, reinvesting the LFDP bonus from Microsoft in a D&I initiative to enable greater diversity at entry level in law firms for aspiring solicitors. It's only by working together and collaborating with clients, like Microsoft, that we can broaden access to the profession", said Catherine Wolfenden, Osborne Clarke's client relationship partner for Microsoft.
The candidate pool for the pilot programme is made up of students who have already completed an Osborne Clarke application process in 2023.
Bola added, "We understand the value that a diverse range of skillsets, experiences and perspectives bring to a business. Through this programme, we hope to support our scholars on their career journeys and equip each individual with the necessary support to fulfil their potential."
OC REACH Talent Programme
The firm welcomed eight university students from an ethnic minority background who are interested in pursuing a career in law on its OC REACH Talent Programme. Driven by the firm's race and ethnicity network, the programme provides a week's work experience with skills workshops, one-to-one-sessions and an opportunity to gain insight into working at a leading international law firm. Each student was also provided a senior and junior mentor for a year following the programme.
Ahlaam Said, Talent Programme alumni, Associate and OC REACH Outreach Representative at Osborne Clarke, said, "I found the Talent Programme experience invaluable. It removed the mystery of being a solicitor and provided both practical tools and mentorship. It helped me to realise my goals were well within reach.
"Now I've come full circle and I'm leading on the delivery of the programme. It's been great to drive this important initiative forward and share my experiences with a new cohort of students who will become our future lawyers."
#10KBI Programme
Having welcomed its second #10KBI cohort earlier this year, Osborne Clarke broadened the programme to include a number of client placements to further enrich the interns' experiences. Across its Bristol, Reading and London offices, the firm welcomed 12 interns for the six-week programme in legal and business services teams.
"All of our eligible interns had the opportunity to undertake the assessment process and apply for a training contract with the firm. We're absolutely delighted to have offered training contracts to three interns. It’s a testament to the impact of such programmes in opening doors to the best talent", commented Zoe Reid, Graduate Recruitment Manager.
Rajindh Mangat, OC REACH Partner Champion commented, "Retention and inclusion as well as progression remain crucial in helping us reach our target of 6% ethnicity in Partnership by 2025. We want to take meaningful action to ensure our black and ethnic minority colleagues are, and feel, included and supported across the business. We look forward to sharing more detail as we continue our work to deliver on these commitments."
In addition to these recruitment initiatives, the firm also runs successful inclusion allies and reverse mentoring programmes to support retention and inclusion, as well as the Osborne Clarke Careers Programme to support development and progression of ethnic minority talent.
