Aspiring Solicitors and The University of Law have agreed a partnership that will see both organisations join forces to provide ‘Springboard’ a new employability programme aimed at undergraduates interested in becoming a solicitor. The programme as well as providing essential know-how will aim to give more underrepresented students increased access to the legal profession.
The partnership will provide undergraduates with access to a series of interactive workshops ‘Springboard into a Training Contract’ in June and ‘Springboard into a Vacation Scheme’ in September. These events will be delivered by Aspiring Solicitors, former lawyers, graduate recruiters and legal professionals and will be hosted at ULaw centres across the country. The Springboard programme aims to equip students with the practical skills they will need to secure vacation schemes or training contracts.
Carole McCann, Head of Student Recruitment, at The University of Law said “We are delighted about our new partnership with Aspiring Solicitors. Springboard allows us to build on our reputation for providing aspiring solicitors with the essential skills they need to succeed and combines both parties joint expertise and connections in law".
Founded in 2014 by former corporate lawyer Chris White, Aspiring Solicitors has grown rapidly and now boasts thousands of members from over 100 Universities throughout the UK. Aspiring Solicitors partners with law firms and professional organisations to provide undergraduates and postgraduates with access to advice, support and training, working with Magic Circle, international and US law firms as well as firms with regional offices in the UK.
The University of Law is the UK’s longest established specialist provider of legal education and has trained more lawyers than any other academic institution in the UK. The organisation operates from nine sites across the country with centres in Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Exeter, Guildford, London, Leeds, and Manchester.
Commenting on the partnership, Chris White, founder of Aspiring Solicitors, said “This agreement will open up a whole range of opportunities for our members. It is no secret that the cost of becoming a fully qualified lawyer is a significant barrier to prospective lawyers from low income families. The Springboard programmes we will be offering in collaboration with The University of Law this year will assist students to secure training contracts and for the larger law firms this means they will fund their GDL or LPC."