upReach was founded in 2012 under the simple principle of fairness – equal access to high-level jobs, regardless of social background. upReach responds to this challenge of social mobility. It helps young people reach their professional potential by offering an intensive and personalized support program that removes socio-economic barriers to graduate employment. Full programs are offered in person and online, and upReach staff has access to activities such as skills workshops, mentorship, reflective events, application support and work experience. Slaughter and May, the international law firm, today announced that it has entered into an exclusive partnership with social mobility charity upReach, to launch Law Springboard, a program designed to improve access to the legal sector for students from high-potential backgrounds. upReach is a not-for-profit organisation that helps students in the UK reach their potential. Ideal candidates for this position would either have experience as a lawyer or lawyer or have already signed an apprenticeship contract. Salary: £23,000 plus £1,000 Weighting in London if you are a London resident Law Springboard is a redesigned program that provides students with relevant information and experience in corporate law and the legal sector so they can successfully gain work experience, training contracts, or other career opportunities. The program, sponsored by Slaughter and May, will support 90 students from disadvantaged backgrounds through one-on-one personalized support, skills workshops, application and interview preparation.
Slaughter and May also offers students retreats, lawyer mentorship and internships. Steve Cooke, Senior Partner at Slaughter and May, said: “We chose to partner with upReach because we wanted to give students from disadvantaged backgrounds an insight into our firm and the industry as a whole so they could think seriously about a legal career. It also reinforces our commitment to social mobility and supports our work with schools and our inclusive approach to recruitment. The partnership, ranked among the top employers in the Social Mobility Foundation`s annual employer index, builds on Slaughter and May`s existing social mobility program. Here are some highlights: It works closely with universities and supports the development of their growing student participation in graduate employment by broadening horizons, increasing aspirations and creating an action plan to achieve their career goals. Employer partners offer our employees the opportunity to gain professional knowledge, understand the pathways and gain valuable experience to create a level playing field. John Craven, Managing Director of upReach, said: “We are delighted to be working with Slaughter and May to improve access to the legal professions. Our partnership on the new Law Springboard will allow us to work together to ensure that talented candidates from all walks of life are able to succeed in the industry, and we are very excited to launch the program.
As the law program coordinator, you would work specifically on our Law Springboard program and therefore work exclusively with students who have a professional interest in law. As part of your role, you will work closely with our students (whom we call associates) and employer partners. You will help increase our employees` overall business awareness by providing video forums and 1-to-1 devices and providing them with application support. upReach is an award-winning charity that works to create equal opportunities for students across the UK. We help university students from disadvantaged backgrounds realize their professional potential by offering an intensive support program that addresses socio-economic barriers to graduate employment. We are looking for a Law Programme Coordinator who is passionate about upReach`s mission to improve social mobility in the UK and enthusiastic about offering a personalised support programme for students wishing to enter the legal sector. Location: London, Manchester, Bristol, Nottingham or Newcastle Registration deadline: Monday 29 November, 5pm. Early applications are recommended as we can nominate Bristol/London/Manchester/Newcastle upon Tyne/Nottingham before the deadline.