Supported by the Law Societies of England and Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland; and The Sutton Trust, PRIME commits member firms to provide work experience which gives an insight into the range of careers available in the legal profession and the potential routes into those careers.
Member firms will provide an agreed number of work experience places, which is not less than 50% of the number of training contracts offered each year, that meet a series of minimum standards including providing at least 30-35 hours of contact time per individual and a commitment to developing key business and personal skills in areas such as oral and written presentation, networking and negotiation. Firms must provide a way for participants to maintain contact with the firm after work experience has ended as well as provide financial assistance during work experience to ensure participants can attend.
PRIME also commits law firms to provide work experience which gives an insight into the range of careers available in the legal profession (for lawyers and non-lawyers) and the potential routes into those careers.
PRIME complements the ‘Eversheds Unlocked’ initiative, a three-day experiential programme for first year A level students from disadvantaged backgrounds with limited access to professional role models and with no family or peer group experience of university. As part of the programme, the firm has also created a ‘staying in touch' programme to keep track of the students as they progress through A levels, university and on to securing training contracts. There is an informal mentoring programme in place which is providing support to the most engaged students through their studies. This is due to be expanded and formalised this year.
Angus Macgregor, HR Director at Eversheds, said:
“The PRIME Programme is in line with our strategic aim to be a great place to work and to continue to take a progressive approach to corporate responsibility and diversity. Yes, this is about finding bright students and preparing them for a career in a City law firm. However, more importantly, it’s about providing them with opportunities, self-confidence and tools to make positive choices to allow them to achieve their potential.”
David Morley, senior partner of Allen & Overy and Chair of PRIME, said:
“It's harder now than it was 30 years ago to get into the legal profession if you're from an average or below-average income family. As a profession, we must change that.
"For some time law firms have been providing their own work experience opportunities for less privileged young people. By collaborating across the profession, PRIME will create a step change in the legal sector's commitment to fairer access, giving more students their first insight into the wide variety of career opportunities available in the legal sector. I would urge all law firms to join us in supporting PRIME."
Eversheds LLP and its world wide offices have over 4,500 people who provide services to the private and public sector business and finance community. Access to all these services is provided through 45 international offices in 28 jurisdictions. Eversheds combines local market knowledge and access with the specialisms, resources and international capability of one of the world's largest law firms.
