Collaborating for enhanced impact

We know that as an international law firm we have an important part to play in increasing opportunities for young people and levelling the playing field. Our Career Start programme is one of the ways we are working to achieve this. Since the launch of the programme in 2019, we have worked with over 120 students from lower socio-economic backgrounds, who are interested in a career in professional services.

By connecting with clients on these initiatives, we are able to make a positive impact on the lives of students from underrepresented backgrounds. Our Real Estates Disputes team collaborated with our client, Ballymore, a leading property development company, during our 2024 work experience programme. Our students completed a case study across the week, based on a real-life scenario which included a site visit to the London City Island and Good Luck Hope developments. The students were given a challenge to address, and they pitched their strategies to the client at the end of the week. The presentations and their creative ideas were met with positive feedback and the students told us they enjoyed gaining a practical understanding of the realistic relationship between lawyers and their clients.

The enthusiasm and insight demonstrated by the students was really inspiring. It's evidence of the potential that the Career Start programme can unlock. It was hugely rewarding to be part of the project, especially seeing the value that real-world experiences can have in shaping the next generation of legal professionals."

The students tackled the case study with such professionalism, and I was impressed with the interesting and creative ideas they presented. Their refreshing perspectives not only gave us food for thought but also reinforced our belief in the importance of developing new talent through initiatives like Career Start."

Gareth Kitson Head of Asset Management, Ballymore

My favourite part was visiting the clients because it made me feel like I was an actual lawyer, and it was very interesting. Meeting the clients was something I felt very grateful for and made the work experience seem more hands-on."

2024 Career Start student

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