International legal practice Osborne Clarke has welcomed several students to their offices as part of the fourth annual work and skills programme delivered by the Legal Social Mobility Partnership (LSMP).
A collaboration of law firms and their clients as well as commercial organisations and professional sports clubs, the LSMP allows students from diverse, non-traditional backgrounds to gain an understanding of the legal profession in the context of business during work insight weeks through intensive skills training and business games.
The national work insight weeks took place at the end of July and early August when students visited offices of the commercial partners EE, ITV, YEO Valley, Nationwide and Bristol Sport.
Osborne Clarke is one of the leading law firms in Bristol welcoming students to their offices this week.
Commenting on the programme, Su Akgun, Diversity and Wellbeing Manager at Osborne Clarke said: “LSMP is a great programme for Osborne Clarke and the wider legal sector. It helps to improve diversity by it breaking down socio-economic barriers and opening up employment opportunities in law firms for a broad range of young people.
“I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the students. It’s been a great opportunity for them to gain solid experience and get a better understanding of what it’s like to work in a law firm. Throughout the week we helped the students gain skills they can use in life and to start their careers.”
The LSMP has rapidly grown year-on-year. Following the success of the inaugural programme in 2014, it extended to Greater Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham in 2016 and now includes new clusters in Bristol, Brighton and Reading in 2017 bringing the total numbers of LSMP students and participating organisations to over 300 and 70 respectively.
Pictured from left to right: Ashleigh Hill, Ben Swanson, Vincenzo Bavetta, Lucy Owen, Cerys Bisdee, Zainab Adelopo, Felicity Reed, Sophie Greatrex and Brooke Bindon.
