A Warwickshire law firm has launched a full-time mentoring scheme with one of the Midlands’ top universities.
Wright Hassall, from nearby Leamington Spa, is mentoring about 20 law students at the University of Warwick this year, offering guidance and advice about the industry to the students.
The scheme was trialled last year after solicitor Toni Sharp, a former Warwick student, started to look for ways the 200-strong firm could help the university’s law department.
And, after positive feedback, the firm rolled out the scheme this year, with 10 experienced lawyers taking part in the project.
Ms Sharp said: "The mentoring scheme has gone very well and the students seem to be benefitting from the advice.
"When I was a student, I found any guidance professionals were able to provide beneficial, and I hope that the scheme will enable Wright Hassall to provide such advice in a more structured format.
"We’re trying to assist not just with advice on specific or technical areas of law, but with general guidance on how to develop a career too. From our point of view, it’s important that regional firms such as Wright Hassall work with institutions like the University of Warwick to help support the next generation of high calibre lawyers."
Students were asked to apply to be mentored before the start of the autumn term, and submit an application on what they wanted to achieve from the mentoring scheme.
Charlotte Bamford, a third-year law LLB student, said she had found the scheme extremely helpful.
"It’s very good to have someone who knows what you’re going through in terms of applications, and my mentor, Toni, has given me some great advice – particularly about job applications," Ms Bamford said.
"I’m very grateful for the help I’ve received and hopefully this extra support will stand me in good stead once I’ve graduated."
Warwick School of Law was established in 1969, and has gone on to be ranked among the top 10 law schools in the country.
