Macfarlanes has been shortlisted for the FT’s Innovative Lawyers Awards Europe in the category Innovative Lawyers in Responsible Business.
This is one of many recognitions that the partnership between Brunel Law School and Macfarlanes has had so far. Both companies have introduced a training scholarship with bursary funded by Macfarlanes to ensure better social mobility and more diversity within the legal profession.
Jurgita Malinauskaite, Head of Brunel Law School explains;
“The scheme lasts for the duration of a scholar’s degree programme. Scholars are selected during their first year of study and are assigned a senior member of the firm who will act as mentor throughout their degree.
In the summer between first and second year, scholars join us for six weeks’ paid work experience. In their third year of study, scholars undertake a paid placement year at the firm. Some or all of the placement year will count towards qualifying work experience (QWE), and scholars will be mentored throughout the placement year to help them get the most out of the experience.”
First year students will have taken out a tuition fee loan via Student Finance scheme. When the Macfarlanes training scholars finish their first year of study, Macfarlanes will repay the tuition fee loan to the Student Loans Company.
At that time, scholars will cancel their tuition fee plan and the firm will pay future tuition fee instalments directly to Brunel. This means that Macfarlanes training scholars will leave university with much less student debt.”
Full details can be found here.
The ceremony is scheduled to take place on 21 September at the Natural History Museum in London.