2019 - MyPlus Explore the law

Being offered a law training contract is hard enough for anyone however for someone with a disability or health condition it can seem impossible. “Will firms see past my disability?” “What should I tell them?” and “What support will I be offered?” are just a few of the questions that arise.

Explore the law is a truly enlightening careers insight event which enables bright ambitious students who have a disability or health condition to meet with leading law firms, ask the questions they have, and allay their fears about the impact of them having a disability.

Explore the Law 2019 took place at the offices of Hogan Lovells in Central London on the 27^th November. Participating firms were Baker McKenzie, DLA Piper, Hogan Lovells, Linklaters, Norton Rose Fulbright and Slaughter and May.

Delegates arrived for a buffet lunch which provided them with the opportunity to start networking with the representatives from the different law firms. The event was formally opened by Nicholas Cheffings who is a Senior Counsel and former Partner of Hogan Lovells, and its Chair for six years to 2018. Nicholas has long been committed to diversity and inclusion and spoke of the importance of having a diverse workforce if firms are to continue to be successful. Nicholas also provided an overview of the legal sector and where a career in law could take you.

Following Nicholas, delegates engaged in a series of sessions including:

-A panel session with trainees from the various firms which enabled them to find out more about life at the various firms

-A session with each firm about their application process

-An Interview Skills workshop lead by one of the graduate recruitment managers

-An interactive session on disclosing your disability and requesting adjustments

-And a disability panel with representatives from each of the participating firms, all of whom had first hand experience of disability, answered questions on topics such as the support they accessed in the workplace, flexible working and being open about their disability with colleagues.

For those who wished to stay, Explore the Law ended with another networking opportunity and the chance to speak to representatives from the firms including those from the recruitment teams, those who had been on the panel and representatives from the firms’ Disability Networks.

I particularly value hearing the perspectives of graduate recruiters and diversity managers on the last panel as I believe that I have gained more confidence to speak about my health condition.

Explore the Law made me realise that with the mental health issues I have, I can still achieve the dream job.

If you worry whether your disability will prevent you from having a successful career at a top City law firm, then this is the event for you. You will hear powerful testimonials from lawyers and trainees who have successfully navigated their careers, as well as developing strategies to help you to get the necessary support to help you realise your full potential.

Exceptional and eye-opening – it’s a must for law students

The Explore the Law event allows a student with a disability or a long term health condition to not only hear about the possibility but truly envision a career in commercial law.

The most thoughtful and insightful event that I had the pleasure of attending. It was touching and informative and I don’t think I’ve ever been determined to pursue my commercial law goals even more after

The entire day was inspiring. To see how your disability isn't a drawback or a problem but what makes you special didn't seem like a cliche here, it felt like reality

It made me less scared to be open about my own mental health. Culturally it’s something I’ve always been taught to hide this event really put things into perspective for me and is helping me reduce that fear of being judged at the interview stage for having a mental health condition.

Inspiring, eye-opening and myth busting

Explore the Law is hugely insightful as I got a feel for different law firm cultures that I would not be able to find by searching online.

The fact that such prominent law firms engaged in such a conversation (i.e. disability and mental health) and had open and frank conversations was truly astounding.

It is always useful to hear first hand experiences from individuals who have had the same concerns as you in terms of employability and accessibility and been successful in their endeavours to practice

I found it especially useful to hear from those who have experienced the same difficulties that I have faced. I was really encouraged to hear how employees at law firms respond to questions about depression and it helped me to reflect on how I can use my personal experience to my advantage.

Incredibly helpful as having been recently diagnosed, I didn't realise how much support there was available to accommodate your needs.

It was very useful to hear from trainees who are working in commercial law while dealing with a disability. The panel discussions gave a great insight into how they deal with their disability while working and the adjustments that can be made.

It was very helpful and reassuring that disability is not a concern within the field of law.

I started doubting my ability to get into a successful law firm and practice law because of my disability and medical conditions. However, this event not only gave me confidence in myself, it educated me on having a disability in the workplace and hearing from professionals in a similar position really benefited me

Really supportive atmosphere and full of useful information.

A fantastic event that allows disabled students to see that their disabilities will not hinder career prospects.

Gallery | 2019

27.11.19 Explore the Law