Lovells launches diversity scheme in response to Milburn report
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Lovells has launched an initiative for youngsters aimed at demystifying the legal industry and increasing access to the law.
The City firm has created a programme called Ladder to Law aimed at state-educated teenagers.
Associate director of legal resourcing Clare Harris said the initiative is a response to a report, chaired by social mobility tsar 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’ve 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.”
Readers' comments (3)
Anonymous | 20-Jan-2010 6:23 pm
This is nothing new as most major City firms have been working with inner city schools for many years. Lovells are desperately trying to gain credibility where none is deserved.
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I C Land | 21-Jan-2010 2:09 pm
OK it's nothing new but why shouldn't Lovells issue a press release like everybody else, and why shouldn't they try to make it topical? Can't see anything particularly cynical or desperate here.
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T V Ed | 22-Jan-2010 10:39 am
Too much conversation too little action. You can fool some of the people etc. Issuing press releases is the easy part - I don't expect Lovells would ever take on anyone who's attended any of the schools mentioned in their press release. The Lawyer needs to stop being a mouth piece and start looking more critically at claims being made by big powerful firms like Lovells.
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