Fourteen aspiring solicitors have been awarded a ‘sought after’ scholarship thanks to a diversity scheme that allows access into law despite economic and social obstacles.
The Law Society of England and Wales’ Diversity Access Scheme (DAS) has awarded fourteen talented aspiring solicitors the scholarship to help them qualify.
DAS, which is in it’s 20th year, aims to help improve social mobility and diversity in the legal profession by supporting people who face exceptional social, educational, financial or personal obstacles to qualifying as a solicitor.
Since its launch in 2004, DAS has provided 4,000 hours of mentoring and spent £3.5 million supporting 300 trainees to pursue their career ambitions.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “In this landmark year, I am delighted to welcome 14 new students to the Diversity Access Scheme.
“I am grateful to our sponsors, the Law Society Legal Educational Trust and the many mentors and work experience hosts who have made all this possible.
“Over the last 20 years, we have had the pleasure of supporting aspiring solicitors into their chosen field and embark on their careers.
“Schemes like DAS do so much good to provide financial relief and open doors to prospective employers.
“I encourage any aspiring solicitor who is facing challenges on their way to qualification to consider applying. I also invite sponsors interested in supporting our scheme to reach out to us.”
DAS recipient Elli Bainton says the award has provided her with the financial security to pursue her ambitions within the profession. Coming from a working-class background in one of the most deprived areas of Wales, the aspiring solicitor has called the award ‘truly life changing’.
Ms Bainton, who is part of the DAS scheme for this year’s intake said: “The DAS scholarship has provided me with the financial security and confidence to pursue a career in law. Coming from a working-class family in one of the most deprived areas of Wales and having attended a non-selective state school with no connections to the legal profession, this scholarship is truly life-changing for me.
“The mentoring I will receive will open doors to opportunities previously unavailable to me, allowing me to explore various areas of law and develop skills that will be invaluable in my future career. It is an honour that an esteemed organisation such as the Law Society sees my potential and is willing to invest in my future. I am committed to giving back and supporting others from similar backgrounds.”
Christopher Hutton, social mobility partner sponsor at Hogan Lovells, and one of the founding sponsors of DAS, commented: “We are delighted to have sponsored the DAS for almost all its 20 years, to create wider access to the legal industry for those from underrepresented backgrounds.
“The success of the programme has been rooted in its varied support to awardees in the form of bursaries, mentoring and work experience – tangible elements which are key in breaking down barriers to entry.
“Many DAS awardees are now senior lawyers in institutions across our sector, which is testament to the success of the programme, and we are pleased to have been able to welcome participants into our own firm.”
Rebekah, one of the 2024 DAS awardees, added: “I am incredibly grateful for the financial and other support provided by the Law Society in helping me on my journey to becoming a solicitor. Growing up in a low-income household in a deprived area of Liverpool, and managing the challenges of a physical disability, I have faced various barriers throughout my academic journey.
“Following four years of academic legal study, I am thrilled to be embarking on my Solicitors Qualifying Exam and qualifying legal work experience with the Law Society’s support. I look forward to completing my solicitor qualifications and pursuing a long and fulfilling legal career as a practising solicitor.”
A prior recipient of the DAS award revealed that the ‘barriers she faced’ pursuing her legal career were removed and the mentorship available was invaluable.
Leasha Lynch, an associate at Winckworth Sherwood and a member of the DAS interview panel, said: “The DAS helped remove the barriers I faced in pursuing a legal career, having come from a low socio-economic background. The key barrier being financial means to pay for the Legal Practice Course.
“It was also invaluable to have a mentor available to answer my questions about life as a lawyer, as well as applications and general advice. This is what led me to get back involved with DAS to mentor students on the scheme as I have been in their shoes, so I feel I have a lot of insight to offer.
“The scheme is an important part of breaking down barriers in the legal sector and improving diversity to ensure that talented legal minds are not forgotten or left behind simply by virtue of their financial or socio-economic status.”
