The Birmingham Law Society Social Mobility Sub-Committee are delighted to announce that the Birmingham Law Society Vacation Scheme will be running for a second year. First launched in 2023 during the Presidential Year of Alice Kinder, the scheme is designed to the Society’s member students with the opportunity to gain insights into the profession, build their networks and develop valuable skills.
Alice Kinder, Immediate Past President and Chair of the Social Mobility Sub-Committee commented “I am thrilled that the vacation scheme will be continuing for a second year. The aim is for students who may be struggling to get legal work experience to gain a useful insight into the legal profession which they can refer to on their CV. The scheme consists of a series of online pre-recorded skills-focused video sessions for students to watch in their own time culminating in an opportunity for students to meet one another and network.”
The vacation scheme extends to member law students and will include four video sessions during December – March. Students who would like to take part will need to email events@birminghamlawsociety.co.uk at the beginning of each month (December, January, February and March) to ask for the latest video link. They will then be sent the video to watch in their own time alongside a form to fill out detailing when they watched the video and one piece of information they took away from that session.
December’s session is by Rebecca Mander, the founder and coach at GuruYou who will go through confidence and resilience. January’s session is with Peter Hill who appeared on BBC’s Dragon’s Den. He will be talking about first impressions and networking tips. February’s session is with Chrissie Wolfe, Solicitor and Founder of LAB Consultancy who will guide you through the SQE.
When the scheme comes to an end in March, students are required to send back their completed form and complete an online virtual work experience session designed by Browne Jacobson and Forage where they can access and obtain a certificate of completion. This will be followed by an opportunity for eligible students to attend an in-person session to support them with their application preparations. The day will be run by both Higgs LLP and Browne Jacobson.
The video sessions are approximately one hour long so we encourage law students to email us and take part in this scheme. Birmingham Law Society is keen to support as many students as possible to access and progress in the legal profession, regardless of their background.