Burges Salmon annually hosts information days during February half terms for school students who have an interest in a career in law or as a business professional in the legal sector. This year, owing to the global pandemic and the ongoing UK lockdown, the firm moved its Law Information Day events online and virtually hosted 181 students across three sessions.
The information days offer a general introduction to Burges Salmon with a focus on its Bristol and Edinburgh offices, insights into what a lawyer does and the experiences of trainee and apprentice lawyers and information on career pathways, as well as the opportunity to gain a workplace experience, develop a commercial perspective and take part in a negotiation exercise.
This year, the firm adapted its events to be delivered virtually, reducing the length of the sessions to a maximum of four hours and providing a variety of content and activities – such as Q&A sessions, breakout rooms, videos, polls and a number of different speakers – to ensure the students were able to remain engaged.
Kirsty Green-Mann, Burges Salmon’s Head of Corporate Responsibility, says: “We are delighted to have welcomed so many school students to our virtual 2021 Law Information Days. The CR team adapted the events to ensure the students were still able to gain the same insight into and experience of working in the legal sector as if they had been able to attend in person, and we’re grateful to our people across the firm who contributed to their organisation and successful delivery.
“Social mobility is integral to the firm’s community engagement programme and our commitment to the sector-wide collaboration, PRIME, through which we’re helping to drive wider and equal access to the legal profession.”
Later this year, Burges Salmon will be welcoming 30 students aged 15 to 18 for a week-long virtual placement through its Bright Sparks Work Experience which is part of the firm’s Working with Schools programme.