Scholarship success under diversity inclusion scheme
Two students are on their way to becoming solicitors, thanks to the diversity inclusion scheme set up by Inez Brown, president of Birmingham Law Society.
The scheme, which offers scholarships to two students who would not otherwise have been able to complete their Law Practice Course, has been supported by the University of Wolverhampton (the university Inez attended) and the University of Law.
The scholarships, awarded to Drew Nelson from Birmingham and Sophie Murphy from Wolverhampton, will be accompanied by mentoring and support from HCR and from Gateley Legal LLP, with Pinsent Masons offering both a virtual internship. Mentoring will also be offered to Sharon Nelson, who impressed the selection panel with her determination and focus. Drew and Sophie have just started their post-graduate Law Practice Course.
Inez said: “Both Drew and Sophie started their courses this week and I am really delighted that we had such excellent candidates. I wanted to support young people who, for a range of reasons, would not normally be able to afford to do their LPC – Government funding is available for their degrees, but there is no funding available for the LPC, so many people simply don’t go ahead.
“Both Drew and Sophie have overcome challenges of different kinds to get to this stage. Sharon too, who achieved a 2:2 in her degree in spite of her dyslexia, clearly deserved our support and I’m so glad that, with our partners, we can offer such excellent opportunities.”
Drew said: “After being awarded the scholarship, I was beyond elated. I was working two part-time jobs to self-fund the LPC in two years’ time; the scholarship meant I could return to university this year, which was a relief.
“It is encouraging to see a law society invest in local youth. I am sincerely grateful to the Birmingham Law Society and am looking forward to what the future holds.”
Sophie said: “I am absolutely honoured to have received a scholarship. The initial news was extremely overwhelming. It has shown me that with hard work and determination, rewards and recognition will follow in the long run, and to never lose focus on your true ambitions.
“It is truly an amazing opportunity and I cannot wait to get involved in everything that it has to offer! I would like to thank Inez Brown and the interview panel for taking this chance on me; it is greatly appreciated.”
Inez was inaugurated as President last month – she is the Society’s first black president, and had to overcome obstacles herself to reach her position as partner and clinical negligence specialist with HCR’s sister company Medical Accident Group. She grew up in Smethwick and worked as a legal secretary for 15 years before she was able to train as a lawyer.
Harrison Clark Rickerbys has more than 500 staff and partners based at offices in Birmingham, Worcester, London, Thames Valley, Cambridge, Cheltenham, the Wye Valley, Hereford and Cardiff, who provide a complete spectrum of legal services to both business and private clients, regionally and nationwide. The firm also has a number of highly successful teams specialising in individual market sectors, including health and social care, education, technology, agricultural and rural affairs, finance and financial services, defence, security and the forces, and construction.
About Harrison Clark Rickerbys
Local | National | International
Award-winning firm Harrison Clark Rickerbys provides a complete spectrum of City-quality legal services to
business and private clients across the South and West Midlands, Thames Valley and Wye Valley corridors,
the southwest of England and in Wales.
The firm has grown through several mergers, both locally and with specialists, all answering client demand. It has more than 500 staff and partners operating out of offices in Birmingham, Cambridge, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Hereford, London, Thames Valley, Worcester and the Wye Valley, and a turnover of c£35m.
The firm has specialist expertise in health and social care; defence, security and the forces; finance and financial services; construction and engineering; education; technology, and agriculture and rural affairs. Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ work in all aspects of law is nationally and internationally recognised. Clients’ comments about the quality of its work has led to the firm being listed in Tier 1 of the prestigious Legal 500 and Chamber and Partners directories of the major law firms in England and Wales. For more details, visit www.hcrlaw.com
The post Scholarship success under diversity inclusion scheme appeared first on Worcestershire Law Society Bulletin.