Endless possibilities

Recruitment in the legal sector keeps developing and changing. Large, commercial firms are naturally driving change, increasingly pushing for more interaction with law students. This definitely helps those from outside the traditional legal background understand more about a commercial or corporate law career. But what resources exist for those who do not see themselves following such a career, and/or do not feel represented by mainstream legal recruitment?

To help provide such a resource, Edinburgh Law School hosted the inaugural Festival of Legal Possibilities on 21-23 February 2023, generously sponsored by Diversity+. Thought to be the first of its kind in Scotland, it was supported and welcomed across the sector. Creating a “safe space”, the sessions allowed the speakers to share their own frank and honest advice – offering students an abundance of valuable, usable takeaways.

Attendees were offered a feast of refreshingly heartfelt advice from the very top of the profession. Speakers advised students to remain flexible and “embrace the unpredictable” in their careers, while telling of the challenges they had overcome along the way. The event was peppered with powerful personal stories from leaders and early talent in the industry, who offered their testimonies to the power of saying “yes” to unexpected opportunities.

The clear message to students was that in choosing a career path, the possibilities have never been more varied and interesting. Several speakers offered that students who felt they were different from the mainstream should see this as their “superpower”. Across the three days, panels covered underrepresentation, diversity and intersectionality; women in law; ethnicity and culture; LGBTQ+; judicial, tribunal and mediation careers; becoming an advocate; Edinburgh Law School’s LawPALS programme; in-house solicitors; and public and third sector careers.

Pushing for faster change

The event called on the sector to focus on several actions, including developing more relatable role models, and promoting family-friendly career structures to raise awareness that the profession is welcoming of all backgrounds. It’s vital to create safe places of work for that to happen, and have decision-makers in the room when discussions are taking place about increasing diversity: that is how we can change to keep up with the demands of the society we serve.

A key conclusion of the Festival was that the speed of change to a more diverse and inclusive sector has been too slow. While the profession has seen some increases in diversity in student and entry-level roles, it lags behind the population at large and at more senior level – something that sponsors Diversity+ aim to change.

With 38 speakers, the event gelled the hopes, thoughts and plans of the sector. While there was recognition for how far the sector has come, there was clear mandate for more progressive change.

Lindsay Jack, Director of Student Experience at Edinburgh Law School, said: “A big part of the experience of students at university is thinking about where their law degree might take them. We’re always looking for ways to enhance the LLB, and represent the interests of our diverse cohorts of students. The Festival gave us a chance to provide something unique that tapped into feedback students have been giving us; simply, they want to know what opportunities are out there for them, and how their specific experience, background, and identity can help them to make the most of these.”

“Be yourself”

Brianella Scott described the challenges she experienced when starting her career. Armed with a first-class law degree, for two years she applied for traineeships across Scotland, before finally receiving two offers together. Excitement and relief soon gave way to the pressure to fit in, and not bring her true self, in an effort to blend into an environment where she saw little of her own ethnicity mirrored back at her at any level.

Brianella, who is now assistant solicitor to the Sheku Bayoh Public Inquiry, commented: “It’s fine to stand out. You need to celebrate your uniqueness. Be yourself and don’t compare yourself to others. See that what you bring is different from other trainees and capitalise on that. Don’t feel like you can’t take up space in a corporate situation.”

Naeema Sajid, director at Diversity+ identified with this advice. She added: “Throughout the event, speakers with diverse backgrounds talked about feeling they needed to fit with the typical image of a solicitor or advocate, while minimising their true selves.

“Some shared their experience of founding their own firm to use their ‘difference’ to help others – which has also been my own personal path.

“To quote something I heard at the event, leaders frankly need to get better at recognising the talent they already have in the door. That will pay dividends in bridging the gap we have at more senior levels.

“The underlying message throughout the event was about being alive to opportunities that match with your true self, and your strengths, and creating networks to enable that.”