Lovells launches diversity scheme in response to Milburn report

The City firm has created a programme called Ladder to Law aimed at state-educated youngsters aged between 14 and 17-years-old.

Associate director of legal resourcing Clare Harris said the initiative is a response to a report, chaired by social mobility czar Alan Milburn, aimed at removing the barriers to those from poorer backgrounds joining the profession.

“Access to the legal profession for people from non-traditional backgrounds is an issue that must be addressed early on. Therefore, we have developed this programme in order to get students thinking about a career from Year 10,” said Harris.

In partnership with careers charity The Brokerage Citylink, Lovells will be providing a series of activities for the would-be lawyers such as open days, work experience and mentoring for various schools from Forest Hill, Rotherhithe, Paddington and Islington.

As part of the programme the firm will also be linking up with the law faculty at the University of Oxford to host a talk about how the students on the scheme can best prepare for university entrance.

Dean of Oxford’s law faculty Timothy Endicott said: “It’s important for schools, universities and employers to work collaboratively to encourage bright and able candidates, who may feel socially excluded, to understand more about what university can offer and how a career in law can be achieved.”