International law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust are working in partnership to develop practical ways of broadening access to City law firms. Specifically, the aim of the Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship will be to help black male law students from under privileged backgrounds to overcome disadvantages they may otherwise face and to increase their representation in the workforce and in the legal profession as a whole. The scholarship scheme will provide an unprecedented opportunity for up to four successful candidates. Practical support will include mentoring, coaching and relevant training, the opportunity to spend time at the firm during the holidays to observe the workings of a commercial law firm and some funding.
The criteria for applicants that have been set by Freshfields and the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust are:
- Black: African or African-Caribbean or mixed-race African or mixed-race African-Caribbean
- Male
- Studying for the qualifying law degree course (with Pass 1 or 2 results) and graduating in 2015.
- From a lower-income household and attended a state (non-fee-paying) school.
Students need to have the potential to be strong academically, be resilient, resourceful and work well with other people.
Scholars (i.e. successful applicants) will receive the following support from the Firm and the Trust:
- Interview-coaching and other development opportunities
- Commercial familiarisation at Freshfields during university holidays
- An alternative route to interview for a training contract at the firm
- An annual contribution towards living expenses
- Mentoring
