News / Law
Law graduates from underrepresented backgrounds to receive placement boost
A scheme that helps law graduates from underrepresented backgrounds in Bristol and beyond is hailed as a “gamechanger” with its fully funded route to qualifying as solicitors.
Flex Trainee, run by legal recruitment specialist Flex Legal, has pledged to continue its “mission” to remove barriers to entering the legal profession.
The programme offers a fully funded alternative to the traditional training contract route, providing paid qualifying work experience in leading in-house legal teams, bar exam preparation and full funding for SQE 1 and 2 exams.
The scheme comes amid growing concern about access to the legal profession.
Flex Legal tarinees at a reception held at the House of Lords in autumn
Recent figures show the proportion of lawyers from lower socio economic backgrounds working in SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) regulated firms has fallen from 21 per cent in 2015 to 18 per cent in 2023.
Since launching in 2021, Flex Trainee has supported more than 100 candidates into roles at FTSE companies, scale ups and in-house legal teams including ASOS, Peloton, Trustpilot, The Crown Estate and Vodafone.
The programme focuses on candidates from low income households, first generation university graduates and others from underrepresented backgrounds.
For graduates who meet the eligibility criteria, the scheme offers an alternative route to qualification.
Trainees earn a salary of £28,000, rising to £32,000 in London, during placements lasting one to two years, alongside one to one coaching, professional networking opportunities and training in AI and corporate legal environments.
“This is making my dreams of qualifying come true,” said Maab Saifeldin, an in-house trainee solicitor on the scheme. “Training in house at a junior level is incredibly rare, and being able to build my legal and commercial network has been invaluable.”
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Mary Bonsor, founder of Flex Legal, said: “Social mobility is often overlooked in law. By championing alternative routes to qualification, we can widen access and bring new perspectives into the profession.”
The programme has also expanded to include a CoSec Trainee pathway for aspiring company secretaries, reflecting growing demand in governance and compliance roles.
Flex Trainee will reopen to applications in spring 2026. Candidates must hold a UK qualifying law degree with a 2:1 or above.
All photos: Flex Legal
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