Five diversity access schemes in law for Black aspiring lawyers

Dear Oracle

Are there any law-related diversity access schemes designed to improve access to the profession for Black aspiring lawyers?

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In recent years the drive to improve both access to and retention in the legal profession has been accelerated with the introduction of several new diversity access schemes. Law firms, barristers’ chambers, legal education providers, charities and other institutions are increasingly looking at ways to create a legal profession that better resembles the society it represents.

There are numerous diversity access schemes – new ones and more established ones – that might suit your needs as a Black aspiring lawyer vying to enter the profession.

This Black History Month, we’ve compiled a list of five schemes designed to support Black candidates’ entry into the legal profession.

For a more in-depth list of diversity initiatives and access schemes, you can head to LawCareers.Net’s Diversity Access Schemes page. Alternatively, if there’s a particular law firm/chambers that you’re targeting, you should be able to find out about the initiatives the firm/chambers has in place or has partnered with to support the profession’s drive to increase diversity.

1. The 10,000 Interns Foundation

The 10,000 Interns Foundation was initially founded to address the lack of representation in investment management. Due to the success of this initiative, there were calls for the programme to be expanded and in just four years it’s worked with 1,000 organisations in 35 sectors, including the legal profession. 

The aim is to champion underrepresented talent and promote equity of opportunity and experience. The initiative provides internships for successful candidates with the support of a number of well-known law firms and in-house legal teams, including Clyde & Co LLP, Taylor Wessing and RPC.

You can find out more about the 10,000 Black Interns and Able Interns programmes on the 10,000 Interns Foundation website.

2. The Black Solicitors Network

This is the primary representative body in England and Wales for Black solicitors, with a focus on equality of access, retention and promotion. Founded in 1995, the Black Solicitors Network (BSN) has grown to become the leading body that represents the UK’s existing and aspiring Black solicitors. It now has a BSN City Group, which was formed in 2008 to focus on the “needs of, and issues affecting Black commercial lawyers (both in-house and private practice) practising in and around the City of London and Canary Wharf”. Meanwhile, BSN North was established in 2016 to raise “awareness of the region’s BME legal community”. As part of BSN North, student-centred project Grassroots was created to help aspiring solicitors to fulfil their potential through educational workshops, networking and mentoring.

The network’s principal aims include promoting equality and challenging discrimination within the profession, providing pastoral care and support, and providing a series of networking, business and social events. BSN works with corporate law firms, banks and more, including Weightmans LLP, DWF Group Limited, Ashurst LLP, Ropes & Gray International LLP, Shoosmiths and The University of Law.

3. Bridging the Bar

Relatively new to the scene, Bridging the Bar (BTB) was founded in 2020 and aims to increase the equality of access to opportunities at the Bar across all underrepresented groups.

The Academy is BTB’s sole programme, which sees 100 BTB candidates gain access to multiple programmes and training opportunities over the course of the academic year, following a successful application process. It has five key objectives, including improving the content of candidates’ pupillage applications and improving the quality of each candidates’ pupillage interview technique.

BTB is sponsored by several organisations, including 4 New Square, Blackstone Chambers, Pump Court Tax Chambers and The University of Law.

4. Women in the City Afro-Caribbean Network

This network is dedicated to the personal and professional development of Black women from the very beginning of their careers. With access to mentoring, training, workshops, networking and application, CV and cover letter support, the Women in the City Afro-Caribbean Network (WCAN) works with several corporate partners, including the likes of Travers Smith LLP and Baker McKenzie. It also works with a number of universities, including BPP.

This year, WCAN relaunched its mentorship programme for 15 to 18-year-old students, hosted a spring law conference and its application clinic, which was held at Herbert Smith Freehills’ offices.

5. The Access Project

This project provides a unique programme of in-school mentoring and personalised tuition to help students from underrepresented backgrounds to access top universities. Established in 2008, the goal is to level the playing field and support teenagers in unlocking their potential, with 50% of the students involved in the project more likely to secure a spot at a top university.

The Access Project has three programmes that have been designed to “combat educational inequality and improve social mobility by raising students’ grades and supporting them to understand the pathway to a top university”. Through partnerships with secondary schools and colleges, The Access Project has provided mentoring and tutoring for more than 10,000 students in the past 15 years. It recently launched its growth strategy, Accelerating Ambition, which outlines its plans to reach 20,000 young people through its university readiness programme by 2029.

The programmes offered at partner schools are heavily subsidised, which means the schools pay only 25% of the total costs. Magic circle law firm Slaughter and May has worked with The Access Project for more than 10 years.  

How to find more diversity access schemes?

It’s clear that the legal profession recognises the need for change and the above access programmes are great examples of legal employers and education providers getting involved in the drive towards a more diverse, inclusive and accessible profession.

You can see a list of other diversity access schemes on LawCareers.Net. Plus, many firms/chambers tend to provide a list of schemes and projects they’re involved with on their individual websites and their LawCareers.Net profiles too.

To find out what else the legal profession is doing to improve diversity, head to LawCareers.Net’s Diversity hub, sponsored by Gowling WLG (UK) LLP.