Laid-off minority lawyers toil for no pay
Some black and minority ethnic (BME) lawyers are working for free because they failed to land paid training contracts or work after they were made redundant.
The shocking statistic is revealed in research carried out by the Law Society and published exclusively by The Lawyer in its inaugural report on diversity, out today.
The Law Society said: “Some BME solicitors [are] working for no pay. In today’s society, with wrangles over the minimum wage, it seems incredible that individuals are still prepared to work without remuneration to fulfil their passion to break into the legal profession.”
The Lawyer Diversity Report 2010 suggests that minorities have been affected disproportionately in redundancy programmes, that women and minorities are pushed towards lower-paid areas and that a fifth of LGBT lawyers have experienced discrimination at work.
These factors are leading talent from non-traditional groups to leave private practice in droves, resulting in a loss of £125,000 per associate and a surge in Employment Tribunal claims.
The report explains the issues behind these trends and carries out the first audit of the diversity profiles of the UK’s largest 30 firms.
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Readers' comments (33)
Anonymous | 26-Oct-2010 10:26 am
I just wonder whether any journos would bother running a story about all of the members of the 'majority' who are doing similar work to try and secure employment? Or is that not likely to get a response?
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a BME person | 26-Oct-2010 10:51 am
I can completely believe that BME candidates make up 20% of new intake.
But I think you'll find they are mostly in the highstreet law / legal aid areas.
In the city there are relatively few of us. Though I suspect this has much more to do with class than race.
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Minnie Orrity | 26-Oct-2010 12:42 pm
I'm no maths genius, but I think I'm right in saying that 'some' is not technically a 'statistic'. Nor 'shocking', really.
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IHateBPP | 26-Oct-2010 1:05 pm
@Anonymous | 25-Oct-2010 2:38 pm
The SRA can set any rules it wants and it can document them from now to eternity but it won't mean the rules are being enforced.
Trainees, or more likely unscrupulous firms, are proving to be quite adept at making sure unpaid training contracts go undetected and if you think it's not happening then you're quite wrong.
I can also confirm that I am male, although I don't see why anybody cares?
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Anonymous | 26-Oct-2010 1:55 pm
I just don't understand why people are moaning.
If you don't like it do something else!!
There are plenty of industries out there.
If BME candidates want to be in a profession that treats them fairly then get a job in health or education.
Those areas are protected by Government spending and valued by society.
I don't quite know why people persist with law when it is a bad move in this day and age.
Many years ago the investment was justified. However 7 years of study and training and high debts to earn less than a teacher and have poor career prospects? Always at risk of redundancy and being treated badly?
Seriously it's not worth it.
Stop wasting time and do something more productive and enjoyable!!!
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Anonymous | 26-Oct-2010 4:55 pm
There are all types of discrimination in these firms. The latest is only taking on trainees who qualified in 2010 rather than 2009 ones who lost out then. The reasoning is off the mark. We all know that lawyers are picked for a firm if they "fit in". i don't know why more is not done on this issue. It's wrong and pretty crass, not to mention ironic.
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Long tough road | 27-Oct-2010 10:19 am
I worked for free prior to obtaining a training contract in the City. It was vital to have some experience on my CV. Oh and I am from an ethnic minority.
Non-BME candidates were and are in the same situation.
BUT what percentage of partners are from an ethnic minority? Probably 10%? So the chances of a BME candidate being given a chance is very low. A non-BME candidate is in a far better position to call upon mummy or daddy who are partners (or an uncle or auntie) for assistance.
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Anonymous | 30-Oct-2010 7:59 pm
I thought this was a meritocracy. What does my intelligence and ability to practise law have to do with any percentage? Wake up and smell the black coffee this is the C21st.
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Someone in the law | 1-Nov-2010 2:08 pm
Some of the comments on this page are very irritating. Not everyone who makes it in the city is a white male with a privileged background. I am a white female who did not come from a privileged background. I got to where I am today (a senior in house role at top 10 FTSE 100 company) through sheer determination and hard work. And I got a 2:2 in my undergraduate degree. Nothing is impossible as long as you are prepared to work hard and not give up. PLEASE can people STOP making excuses for themselves???!!!
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Anonymous | 1-Nov-2010 3:34 pm
Recently I attended an interview for a position of commercial/corporate lawyer. At the interview I was asked to contribute £20,000 to the practice as an employee but without being made a partner in the near future. I was not sure whether that meant that I would be effectively subsidising my own salary or would not be paid anyway. I was asked to prepare a business plan in which I mentioned that I would like to be paid during the time when I am 'growing' the practice. My business plan was not acknowledged as received and I was never contacted again.
I am white by the way.
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