The Bristol office of Clarke Willmott has taken part in the national law firm’s summer work experience programme for the first time, with 22 placements for emerging legal talent making it its largest so far.
The scheme provides paid legal work experience to individuals interested in a career in law with participants having the opportunity to work in one or more teams across five days. 
It was staged across five of the firm’s seven regional offices, with a focus on inclusivity and accessibility, including a blind shortlisting process.
A total of 26 legal teams took part, giving the students access to a wide range of specialist practice areas, including family law, property litigation and private client.
All students were also offered the chance to engage in a new informal mentoring programme to build on professional relationships and assist in developing their strengths and skills for the future
Clarke Willmott, which has more than 650 staff, including more than 100 partners, said the scheme had made huge steps forward since returning last year after a pause.
Historically vacation schemes had only took place in the firm’s Taunton office but last year was extended to include Birmingham with Bristol – its largest base with more than 300 staff – Manchester and Southampton joining this year.
That has resulted in a 308% increase in applications and more than 65 interviews. 
Clarke Willmott director of human resources Daniel Jones, pictured, said: “The students have given hugely positive feedback on the opportunity to access real work as well as meaningful networking events and development sessions throughout the week.
“We worked on both personal and professional skills and ended the week with a mock assessment centre.
“It was very important for us to create an equal opportunity for all, so we used a blind shortlisting process and inclusive recruitment practices.”
He said last year the firm made one of its core objectives to create an inclusive and supportive hiring process and developed that further this year as part of its ED&I (equality, diversity, and inclusion) commitments.
“I’d like to say a huge thank you to the offices and the lawyers who took part in the scheme, making the students feel comfortable and welcome and imparting invaluable knowledge into what a real career in law looks like,” he added.
“Throughout the summer we were introduced to some incredibly talented young people who we will be keeping in touch with as they move through their qualifications.”
Participating students reported that they could see themselves working in the law with 100% agreeing they were made to feel welcome and 83.3% agreeing their objectives had been met.
One said: “This hands-on experience has significantly deepened my knowledge and practical skills, providing a solid foundation to make a significant step forward in my future career.”
Another added: “This scheme was very beneficial in exposing me to the operations of a law firm and allowing me to see how a law firm truly operates in practice.
“I am very grateful for the opportunities provided by the firm, immersing me in real client work that is completed on a daily basis.”
