Osborne Clarke announces SQE partnership with BPP University

Future-focused law firm Osborne Clarke LLP has selected BPP University Law School as its education provider of the new Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) for trainees and solicitor apprentices starting at the firm in 2024.

The partnership will focus on an integrated programme of legal, technical, commercial and personal development skills for the firm’s future lawyers, with Alexandra Gower, partner and training principal at Osborne Clarke, keen to emphasise that the “programme will go beyond to cover everything from legal technology and sector innovation through to reflective learning, inclusivity and personal wellbeing.”

Alexandra said: “People often ask me 'what the future of business may look like,' and this is a real opportunity to consider what it means for the way our lawyers learn about the law, apply the law and, importantly, translate the law to meet the needs of the clients of the future. And that's not just about legal technical expertise, it's the full package of developing the person as well as the lawyer.

"At a minimum, junior lawyers should expect firms to support them in developing their communications skills and building relationships with peers, colleagues and clients. Our culture is at the heart of our business and drives how we support our people's development, both as lawyers and individuals.”

The firm has also appointed a new development manager (legal education and training), Dimitri Vastardis who will focus on the firm’s development and delivery of the SQE and qualifying work experience programmes. Dimitri, former corporate solicitor, will join Osborne Clarke from BPP University where he lectured and shared responsibly for the corporate practice areas of the law school.

Talking about his new role, Dimitri said: "It's so exciting to be in a law firm working alongside students and supporting the next stage of their development. Osborne Clarke's new path to qualification will place a particular emphasis on the practical experience leading to, and immediately following, qualification. Our future colleagues will develop a very strong understanding and appreciation of the Firm's culture, the relationship we have with our clients and our passion to embrace what the future will hold for both our business and our clients.”

To stay up to date with the SQE and how firms plan to implement it, visit LawCareers.Net’s SQE Hub.