Addleshaws opens scheme for less-privileged young

A year-long programme to help young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds gain insights into careers in law has been launched by Addleshaw Goddard (AG).

The Legal Explorer Programme will give 20 UK students aged 16-17 the opportunity to learn about the legal profession, build key skills and gain experience within a specific practice area of law. Five participants will be based in each of AG's offices in Edinburgh, London, Manchester and Leeds offices.

Participants need to be either sitting A-Levels or Scottish Highers and meet the PRIME qualifying criteria.

Beginning in October 2023, each participant will be assigned a mentor and will attend monthly skill-building workshops, including hosts from AG as well as third-party organisations such as Causeway Education, a charity which helps young people facing barriers to higher education, apprenticeships and early careers. The programme will culminate in a week-long work experience opportunity where participants will gain hands-on experience working with AG lawyers.

Each participant will be provided with their own laptop and data-only SIM, which they will be able to keep after the programme, and will receive a bursary to help with their learning costs along with travel expenses.

Applications for the programme opened today and will close on 25 September.

David Berry, inclusion partner for social mobility at Addleshaw Goddard, commented: "Our Legal Explorer Programme will give young people from less-privileged backgrounds the opportunity to build the skills they need to really stand out in the legal market.

"We will be giving the participants advice on all of the different routes into law, the various careers available to them and what the work of a legal professional looks like on a day-to-day basis.

"Programmes like this are crucial to show young people that a career in law is achievable, regardless of their background or circumstances."