Social mobility is the ease with which people can fulfil their potential, regardless of their social or educational background.

We believe no one should be prevented from fulfilling their potential because of where they are born, the school they went to or the jobs their parents do. There is increasing evidence to suggest that the legal profession is becoming more exclusive and elitist. For this reason we are keen to promote wider access to the law and we are a signatory to the government's Social Mobility Business Compact, which aims to address elitism and improve social mobility by encouraging businesses to open up opportunities to everyone.

Social Mobility Index Top 75 Employers

We are pleased to have been included on the Social Mobility Foundation's Top 75 Employers for the second year running in recognition of our work to improve social mobility at AG and in the legal sector more widely.

PRIME PRIME, LEGAL ACCESS WEEK & THE LEGAL EXPLORER PROGRAMME

AG is a founder member of PRIME, an initiative where law firms provide a minimum number of quality work experience placements to underprivileged school-age students. We work closely with local schools and colleges across London, Leeds, Manchester and Edinburgh to inspire and help young people fulfil their potential. Traditionally, we have invited around 35 students from school YR 12-13 (S5/S6 in Scotland) to take part in our Legal Access Week. 

In the 2023/2024 academic year, we are excited to start our new pilot work experience programme for Year 12 and S5 students – The Legal Explorer Programme. 20 students will take part in the year-long programme of monthly workshops, mentoring and hands-on work experience. Find out more about the project here.

BPP Legal Access Scheme

Our award-winning Legal Access Scheme identifies bright BPP University Law School students from unconventional or less privileged backgrounds, offering them a place on our summer placement scheme. Since its creation in 2007, 24 participants of the scheme have secured training contracts with us. The scheme is open to current students at BPP University Law School on the LLB (second and final year of standard programme or all years on the accelerated programme), the Law Conversion Course or the SQE. This opportunity is also open to those who were BPP students on one of those courses within the last 12 months. For a candidate to be eligible for the scheme they must also have achieved a 2:2 in their undergraduate degree and must meet at least two of the following criteria: 

• Attended a state school for the majority of their secondary schooling
• Were part of the first generation of their immediate family to attend university
• During their time at university were in receipt of a private or governmentally funded scholarship, grant, award or bursary designed to help students who come from low-income families.

For more information contact earlycareers@addleshawgoddard.com 

The Lawscot Foundation

AG is proud to support the Lawscot Foundation, a Scottish charity which provides students with an annual bursary, access to a mentor and work experience opportunities. We offer an opportunity for up to two eligible Lawscot Foundation members to participate in work experience with us during the summer in our Edinburgh office. In order to apply for this you must also not meet our standard academic requirements (namely achieved a 2:2 degree) and have not applied to Addleshaw Goddard that academic year. We also run careers workshops which are open to those looking to apply for the opportunity as well as third year students, fourth year students, diploma students and graduates. For more information contact earlycareers@addleshawgoddard.com

Legal Apprenticeship Scheme

We are at the forefront of apprenticeships in the legal profession and have developed two legal apprenticeship schemes in Manchester and Leeds. Our schemes for aspiring Paralegals and Solicitors provide alternative routes into the profession for those who do not want to go down the traditional university route.

The Sonia McMahon Award

In honour of the late Sonia McMahon, Partner the award gives one student from our partner schools a financial contribution towards the cost of studying law at university, access to a mentor and a week of work experience. In 2022, two students each received a bursary of £5,000 in an extension of the award.

The City Solicitors Horizons Programme

The City Solicitors Horizons Programme is a social mobility initiative to improve access to the legal profession for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. It has been initiated by the City of London Solicitors' Company, City Solicitors' Educational Trust (CSET) and The Legal Education Foundation (TLEF), with the support of the City of London Law Society (CLLS) and leading law firms.  Students connect with AG and benefit from mentoring and practical work experience. 

Memberships

• PRIME >
• Social Mobility Business Compact >
• SMBP >
• City Solicitors Horizons > 
• BPP University Law School >

Key contacts

Our Inclusion Partners are responsible for engaging the business, setting the inclusion strategy and spearheading our efforts in each of their respective areas of inclusion.