In keeping with the Society’s desire to be inclusive and encourage entry to the profession from all backgrounds, Year 12 students from all schools and colleges across Merseyside have been invited to attend the annual ‘Pathways to the Legal Profession’ event, to be held for the eighth time, on 27th April 2022. The President of Liverpool Law Society, Steven Zdolyny, will attend and will welcome a record-breaking 214 pupils and teachers from 26 schools to the event.
A panel of speakers from key institutions across the city will outline the various entry routes into the Law – from the traditional university route to the modern apprenticeship route, and other options in between. To date, confirmed organisations and speakers include Liverpool CILEx branch, Liverpool John Moores University, the University of Law who are also kindly hosting the online event on their platform, the University of Liverpool, Weightmans who are speaking and sponsoring the event, Emily Todd, a solicitor apprentice from DWF and Isabella Denn-White, Pupil Barrister, 7 Harrington Street Chambers.
The feedback received from the students who have attended past events is invariably highly positive. A few of the comments received appear below:
- “I found all presentations interesting and useful for clarifying some of my pre-existing ideas whilst also opening my eyes to new future possibilities” Student from Upton Hall School FCJ
- “I have learnt that you don’t have to be from any certain background to become a lawyer and there is a variety of opportunities available for everyone” Student from Notre Dame Catholic College
- “I found that each speaker had a different thing to say which was helpful. Their own experiences which they shared were also helpful.” Isabelle Black, Student at Sacred Heart Catholic College
- “Really helpful about what is important and how to enrich not only your university applications but also what helps to make you stand out post-education” Sophie Stevens, Student at Sacred Heart Catholic College
- “The students I’ve brought along are buzzing with interest and excited to learn more about the legal profession. Great for them to compare university vs apprenticeship routes” Laura Smith, Teacher at Weatherhead High School
- “Different peoples personal experiences was really beneficial to motivate and give a clearer path to where I want to go and how I can get there” Student from Birkenhead Sixth Form College
- “I have a better insight to law and I am considering different types of law, not just the straight law degree” Courtney McMahon, Student from Bellerive FCJ Catholic College
- “This is a great event – students are given unbiased information and are advised about all the different training and education routes” Gayle Hall, Teacher from Notre Dame Catholic College
Finally, one of 2021’s speakers said “I really enjoyed the event … I found the event to be very informative and useful to those seeking a legal career. The breakdown of the legal pathways available, combined with the different perspectives from the speakers who attended, all working in different areas of the legal profession, is a really great way for the year 12 students to understand the various legal pathways both in a practical and academic sense.”
For all enquiries regarding this event, please email socialevents@liverpoollawsociety.org.uk
Sarah Poblete
Education & Charities Committee member
Liverpool Law Society