Stevens & Bolton LLP has recently joined PRIME, an alliance of law firms across the UK committed to broadening access to the legal profession (www.primecommitment.org). Launched in 2011, PRIME now has 80 members, including many City and national firms, all of whom are committed to providing fair access to quality work experience.
By becoming a member of PRIME, the firm will be providing high quality work experience opportunities to bright young people from less privileged backgrounds, who might otherwise not have the opportunity to access legal careers. The firm has also committed to a structured mentoring programme, providing support in mentoring each selected student throughout the year.
Beverley Flynn, head of the CSR group at Stevens & Bolton, commented “There has been much focus recently on social mobility in the legal profession. Stevens & Bolton is committed to providing mentoring and work experience placements for bright students from less privileged backgrounds to find out how the legal profession works and help them gain a real insight to the profession.”
Ken Woffenden, managing partner of Stevens & Bolton LLP added: “We are very proud to be able to give these students high quality work experience. It is harder than ever for bright young people to access the legal profession. Many people in our firm, myself included, have benefited from social mobility and we think it is important to give something back by taking part in this excellent scheme.”
E-mentoring of students has already begun and our first work experience programme will take place next week, commencing 20 July.