Law firm Addleshaw Goddard (AG) has announced Jackson McGuire and Anya Tones as the recipients of its Sonia McMahon Award.

Each of the candidates will receive a bursary of £5,000 towards the cost of studying law at university as well as mentorship and work experience within one of AG's UK offices.

The award, which is targeted at young people from less-privileged backgrounds, was set up 12 years ago in honour of Sonia McMahon, a partner in AG's restructuring team who passed away tragically at age 37.

Eligible applicants were required to either be within the first generation of people from their families to attend university or entitled to free school meals during their secondary education.

Both of the recipients are currently in their first year of undergraduate study for law. Jackson studies at the University of Manchester and Anya at Northumbria University.

Jackson McGuire said:

"It is such an honour to be picked for this award. When I found out, I was at a loss for words. Having got to the final stages of the apprenticeship scheme at AG, I know what an amazing firm it is, and what a supportive and friendly environment it is. I know that the mentorship and work experience gained from this will have such a large and positive impact on my studies and I am forever grateful for this. Gaining work experience and paying for my time at university, especially during a cost-of-living crisis, were both large issues for me and caused me some concerns. However, in winning this award these issues have been largely erased.

"I am extremely grateful to AG and their push for social mobility allowing people like myself from working class backgrounds to enter the legal profession. Thank you."

Anya Tones said:

"I am elated to have been successfully selected for the Sonia McMahon Award. The Legal Access Week at the firm over the summer fuelled my passion for working in the legal industry, leading me onto studying a Law Degree at Northumbria University. To further my breadth of experience in the legal sector, the assignment of a mentor and work experience will allow me to engage with different areas of law at AG and unlock a source of support. The financial contribution of the award will assist me in the general costs of university. As a past student from a low progression school, and the first generation of my family to attend university, this is an extremely beneficial opportunity to have been granted with from AG.

"I hope to repay the faith AG have invested in me by my commitment to my studies and working towards achieving my ultimate goal as qualified lawyer."