National law firm Blake Morgan announces collaboration with Aspiring Solicitors

Leading law firm Blake Morgan has announced its partnership with diversity organisation Aspiring Solicitors.

Aspiring Solicitors works to increase the legal profession’s inclusion of underrepresented groups, including black and minority ethnic (BAME) candidates, LGBT+ candidates, candidates with disabilities and candidates from less-privileged backgrounds, through recruitment-focused training, careers support and providing access to legal work experience.

Blake Morgan has become an ‘affiliate member’ with  Aspiring Solicitors and currently has three  ‘Professional Ambassadors’ within the firm to help provide mentoring and support to students looking for a career in law.

The firm aims to eliminate discrimination and provide an environment of equal opportunities where everyone recognises the positive contribution a diverse workforce community can make. Aspiring Solicitors have begun working with Blake Morgan to help them deliver their ambitious Equality, Diversity, Inclusion action plan across each of their six offices nationwide.

Aspiring Solicitors works with more than 26 law firms and legal teams to provide free access, opportunity and assistance to students from under-represented groups and to promote and encourage diversity in the legal profession.

Blake Morgan will be hosting  a series of ‘afternoon tea’ events for students, with support from Aspiring Solicitors.  These events will give students an opportunity to talk to recruiters, trainee solicitors and partners at Blake Morgan about the firm and about careers in law generally.  The events will also encourage debate around diversity in recruitment and in the legal profession generally.  Over 100 students have expressed an interest in the first event which takes place this month in Blake Morgan’s Southampton office.

Liz Bryne, Head of HR and Learning and Development at Blake Morgan, said: “Our aim is to make a difference for our clients, our people and our communities and so we are very pleased to be able to announce our partnership with Aspiring Solicitors.  Their support will be instrumental in helping us reach a broad range of students who will bring a diversity of ideas and experience to our firm in the future.  Aspiring Solicitors will also help us to shape our work experience schemes and recruitment processes  to ensure that we make a career in law in an inclusive environment accessible and attainable.”

Chris White,  founder of Aspiring Solicitors, said: “Blake Morgan shares our vision to increase diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and we look forward to working closely with them to help tackle equality issues in the sector for the benefit of the next generation of young lawyers.”

Blake Morgan is committed to providing equal opportunities in employment.