Freshfields and Doreen Lawrence, Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon, OBE are working together to broaden access to opportunities for graduate careers in large commercial law firms and other careers in the City of London.

The Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship Scheme is designed to address the disproportionate under-representation in large commercial law firms and other City of London institutions of Black men from less socially mobile backgrounds. The Scheme is aimed at eligible first year law students at participating universities UK-wide, and other first year students at a small group of those universities.

Stephen Lawrence was a talented 18-year-old who was murdered in a race attack in London in 1993. Stephen could not fulfil his dream of becoming an architect, but through the Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship Scheme his name inspires those from non-traditional backgrounds to pursue careers in commercial law and elsewhere in the City of London.

Launched in 2013, the scheme addresses the disproportionate under-representation of Black and Black mixed-race men from less socially mobile backgrounds in large commercial law firms. It is aimed at exceptionally talented first-year students at UK universities.

Freshfields Partner Annette Byron, a founder of the scheme and sponsor for social mobility activities in the UK, says the scheme is important as it addresses intersectional issues of both race and social mobility, and has been carefully planned to maximise learnings for both Scholars and volunteers. “We take an holistic approach in testing for talent and potential, and in tailoring development programme activities to the interests of the students,” Annette explains.

The scheme has no minimum grades requirement and combines a wide variety of assessments to test for potential. The insight day and assessment centre experiences are fully funded so there is no cost to applicants, and there is a separate programme for candidates assessed but not awarded a scholarship.

Once selected for a scholarship award, Scholars receive a range of benefits including a 15-month development and mentoring programme with activities developed and led by Freshfields lawyers and business services volunteers of all seniorities. Other legal and City of London financial institutions have supported activities.

Scholar Idris Noor points to the impact of volunteers upon the 2022 cohort. “It's inspired me with what I want to achieve in the future. I'm going to take forward into other opportunities and experiences how to navigate the corporate world and really tap into the potential I have”. 

The project week is a key component of the scheme, giving Scholars an authentic experience of working in a high-pressure corporate environment.

For Scholar Yemi Adeboyejo, this challenging and engaging approach has been rewarding. Recalling his 19 year old self as having little belief in his own abilities, “It was amazing to come across people who have reached their goals by identifying the steps to achieve them. It helped me get rid of that impostor syndrome,” he says.

Since 2017, Scholars have also been drawn from non-law courses, encouraging people from other disciplines to consider a legal or professional career in the City of London. Scholar Kamso Nwokolo says, “Not everyone wants to be a solicitor but just the experience of the ‘City’ life in general that the scholarship has provided has been great”. Speaking of students he met who didn't get scholarship awards, “Seeing all these people in one environment has been outstanding. The scholarship has kickstarted a fire in them that has led them onto greater things.”

But widening opportunity to access in this way not only helps improve prospects for the Scholars, it also benefits Freshfields, the legal sector and City of London institutions in general.

Different perspectives

Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholars are smart, talented and bring an often-different perspective. Diversity of thought is essential where innovative solutions are needed to overcome some of the world’s most difficult problems.

Hundreds of volunteers, from all levels of seniority, take part in the scheme every year. The scale of this commitment and the scheme’s varied activities expose a range of our own stakeholders to this two-way dialogue. As well as preparing the Scholars to compete for a high-profile career, the Stephen Lawrence scheme is a catalyst for meaningful culture change.

The scheme embeds values that challenge our own attitudes. (Prior to participating in the annual assessment centre, all assessors refresh or undertake unconscious biases training, for example.)

Bringing together staff and students from diverse backgrounds, our community investment programmes also engender personal stories from current employees helping ensure our firm is a place where people with the best talents can truly thrive.

Career changer Scholar Tom Barry-Ekijeme, who served for 14 years in the Parachute Regiment before starting his law degree at a non-Russell Group university, comments on the pastoral nature of the scheme, saying of the other Scholars, “They're dealing with all the issues young Black men have to deal with in the UK, and they are absolutely smashing it and proving all the stereotypes wrong.”

All Stephen Lawrence Scheme Scholars have, if they wish, the opportunity for a guaranteed assessment centre to compete for a place on the Trainee Associate Programme at Freshfields. To May 2024, twenty-eight have earned such places, with more gaining Trainee Associate Programme offers from other leading commercial law firms. Many Scholars have now qualified as solicitors or barristers, or have roles at other leading City of London institutions or professional services firms.

To find out more about the scheme and how to apply, students should contact their university’s contact for the scheme.