• TEXT SIZE A A
  • COLOUR A A
ACCESSIBILITY

Gallery | 2020

03.12.20 Explore the Law

At a time of so much uncertainty, it was more important than ever to ensure that students with a disability or health condition received the expert careers advice required to enable them to successfully apply to firms and navigate the recruitment process.

 

For the first time since its launch in 2010, Explore the Law was run as a virtual event providing bright ambitious disabled students interested in a career in law, to meet the firms, gain invaluable advice and have the opportunity to discuss questions around how to access any support they may require both during the recruitment process and in the workplace.

 

6 global law firms participated in Explore the Law 2020; these were: Baker McKenzie, DLA Piper, Hogan Lovells, Linklaters, Norton Rose Fulbright and Slaughter and May.

Previous
Next

The event was opened by Siri Nomme, Head of Talent & Diversity, Europe, Middle East and Asia, at Norton Rose Fulbright who talked about the business benefits of a diverse workforce and what companies were doing to maximise inclusivity.

Following the welcome from Siri, delegates engaged in a series of sessions enabling them to:

*Learn more about each firm including their approach to disability, and an overview of their opportunities

*Hear from a trainee from each firm, and what it’s like to work there

*Develop their CV writing and interview skills

*Find out how to be open with employers about a disability and request appropriate support

*Hear from employees from each of the participating firms about how they manage their disability in the workplace and the support they benefit from

*Network with each firm

By the end of the event, a whopping 88% of delegates said that they either felt confident or very confident about achieving a career in commercial law; this is up from just 28% prior to the event!

In addition, 80% scored the event very good or excellent; with the remainder scoring it as good.

Explore the Law is a ‘must attend’ event for any student with a disability or health condition interested in a career in commercial law. We hope to see it return as a face-to-face event in 2021.

speech marks
It was reassuring to listen to those who been through similar situations.
speech marks
Very useful. It built my confidence and I recognise I can frame my disability in a positive light.
speech marks
It was really useful and encouraging to hear about the experiences of commercial lawyers with disabilities.”
speech marks
Very informative and helpful.
speech marks
Great event!”
speech marks
Very useful to hear from people in comparable positions. I think the event proves which firms really are inclusive; it’s all very well for them to say they are but hearing the experiences of the trainees and lawyers already there was reassuring.
speech marks
It was great to hear from disabled professionals about what adjustments workplaces were able to make for their employees
speech marks
It built my confidence that I could pursue a career in commercial law.
speech marks
It was inspirational for me as before the event I was reluctant to think about applying to the big law firms due to my dyspraxia and thinking I wouldn’t get hired due to other graduates being more intelligent than me.
speech marks
It was really reassuring to hear from the professionals
speech marks
It was really reassuring that people can have fantastic careers regardless of disabilities.
speech marks
My disability has always been treated like a limitation, so to see and chat with so many amazing people that are thriving in my dream career was amazing and such a boost for my confidence.

Very useful to hear from people in comparable positions.  I think the event proves which firms really are inclusive; it’s all very well for them to say they are but hearing the experiences of the trainees and lawyers already there was reassuring.