Call for legal firms to widen access to priviliged profession
By A former College of Law graduate is calling on legal firms in the South West to help widen access to careers in law to people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Jane Oakland, partner at law firm Clarke Willmott LLP, will host an event later this month to celebrate the new Bristol centre for the college and launch of an official South West alumni.
The opening of the college in September next year — representing a £1.2m investment and creating 40 new jobs — is aimed at tapping into the growing legal market in the region and widening access to law as a profession.
The event – on November 18 – will encourage lawyers in the South West to support the College’s Pathway to Law Scheme, run in conjunction with the Sutton Trust, and designed to widen opportunity for young people to enter the profession.
College of Law alumni from the South West will be attending the event, hosted by former graduate Ms Oakland.
“Many people, rightly or wrongly, see law as a profession that is only open to the privileged few,” she said. “I am delighted to be supporting an organisation that is providing young people from diverse backgrounds with access to the profession.
“I am looking forward to significant support from law firms in the region for this initiative which will open doors for many young people who perhaps did not consider law as a career open to them.”
Nigel Savage, Chief Executive of The College of Law, who will be speaking at the event, added: “The College is an educational charity and through the Pathways to Law scheme — our unique venture with the Sutton Trust, universities and law firms — we will be working with local schools and colleges in the South West to provide opportunities for young people to enter the law profession.”
All current and former staff and former students are welcome to join the web-based Alumni Association by registering at www.collegeoflawalumni.co.uk
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