centre for research into diversity in the professions bme conference july 8 th 2010 jane stapleford
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CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
Challenging barriers to diversity in the legal Challenging barriers to diversity in the legal profession by enhancing the employability of profession by enhancing the employability of
black and ethnic minority students.black and ethnic minority students.
BME Conference July 8th 2010
Jane Stapleford
www.leedsmet.ac.uk/research/crdp
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
Purpose of the presentationPurpose of the presentation
1. Brief introduction to research conducted by Professor Hilary Sommerlad and others in the Centre for Research into Diversity in the Professions (CRDP), into the barriers faced by students who do not fit the professional norm of the legal profession
2. to explore the ways in which the employability of these ‘non-traditional’ graduates might be enhanced within the law curriculum.
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
Diversity & the legal profession- Diversity & the legal profession- backgroundbackground
Law is particularly attractive to BME and other non-traditional students and ‘new’ university Law Schools have successful examples of widening participation
Law professional bodies stress need for diversity in the profession
BUT
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
Diversity & the legal profession-backgroundDiversity & the legal profession-background
Unequal opportunities for graduates from ‘new’ universities, preference for graduates from prestigious universities
Barriers to non- traditional students persist - the legal profession has traditionally maintained status & coherence through exclusion of ‘outsiders’ and strong professional socialisation
Law firms continue preference for inherited cultural capital and disregard the skills / attributes which legal practice actually demands
Promotion within the profession for those who do not fit the norm is limited
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
Research – LPC ( Research – LPC ( Legal Practice CourseLegal Practice Course))
Research Questions: What attracts non- traditional students to law? What do they
know about the subject and employment prospects? If they want to be lawyers, how do they imagine the
profession, and their career trajectories? How do they gain entry and into which sectors? If they gain entry:
• will they be obliged to ‘enact’ a normative professional identity?
• or will they challenge it?
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
L A LawyersL A Lawyers
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
Students’ motivations & aspirationsStudents’ motivations & aspirationsMedia generated understandings of field and thus unrealistic expectations and aspirations:
“I used to watch LA Law so I sort of knew what a lawyer was ..”
Money and status common motivation and aspiration to enter corporate sector, partnership, high salary: “you have more money and…more respect”
Only 5% aspired to legal aid practice: “I was interested in social justice but I can’t afford to go into that’
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
Non- traditional law students’ perceptions Non- traditional law students’ perceptions of the Law of the Law
Non traditional students were asked to:
“draw what comes into your mind when you think of a lawyer”
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
They don’t conceptualise anything that resembles themselves!
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
linguistic skills- ‘talk the talk’
criticalunderstanding
local labour market
‘walk the walk’
think like a lawyer
understand the culture
other prospects
Conclusion- Legal skills needed:Conclusion- Legal skills needed:
develop cultural capital
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
For more details about For more details about Professor Sommerlad’s researchProfessor Sommerlad’s research
Sommerlad, H.(2007)‘Researching and theorizing the processes of professional identity formation’, Journal of Law & Society, 34, 2, pp 190-217
www.leedsmet.ac.uk/research/crdp/
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
Strategies for enhancing the Strategies for enhancing the employability of graduates, employability of graduates, especially non- traditional especially non- traditional
graduatesgraduates
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
Interventions for the LLB (Interventions for the LLB (undergraduateundergraduate): ): interlocking approachesinterlocking approaches
Undergraduate curriculum change
Work with employers
Engagement with senior policy makers
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
Working with employersWorking with employers
Employer Focus Groups
their views ondiversity &equality
sensitise them toissues
theirrequirements for ‘ideal’trainee/lawyer
involve them incurriculum design & delivery
raise profile ofLeeds Met’s student body
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
Focus Group of Law FirmsFocus Group of Law Firms
Questions posed to the participants generated information relating to employability of applicants to law firms.
These were:What would you look for in a trainee?
What are the key attributes and skills needed to be a successful solicitor?
What topics/skills do you feel should be addressed by the Law School in order to produce effective trainees?
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
oral communication-telephone
intuition‘streetwise’
negotiation
good research skills
leadership
good letter writing
presentation skills
Attributes required by Law firms – Attributes required by Law firms – as expectedas expected
organisation skills
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
languages
extra-curricular activities
“somethingdifferent”
work experience
personality “spark”
ability to recognise when they don’t know
business acumen
Further attributes required by Law firms - Further attributes required by Law firms -
scientificbackground
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
Focus Group- Focus Group- suggested additions to the curriculumsuggested additions to the curriculum
Business strategy
Strong view that nowadays students of law should study Business strategy and strategic planning. Students should gain an understanding of business and be made aware of the business world as most law firms these days have to compete as businesses in a competitive market.
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
Preparing for an Interview- have: Preparing for an Interview- have:
understanding of local labour market
researched the firm
accurate spelling
appropriate dress- tidy, shiny shoes
something to say
Interviewee
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
Curriculum development in the LLB- our Curriculum development in the LLB- our aspirationsaspirations
Reflective workbook
Recording of experience and evidence
Reflecting on group project and career
strategy
Reflection
Real-life group project
Lawyers as mentors
Team work
Group assessment
Work Project
Research careers in legal profession
Visit courts and law firms
Inputs- lectures/ seminars from experts
Personal Career Strategy
Career/Personal Development
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
Examples of sessions to support career/ Examples of sessions to support career/ personal development:personal development:
Personal development
planning
Expectations of employers
Diversity in the legal profession
Interpersonal perception, prejudice
Self- awareness CV development
Psychology of dress
Applications and gaining training
contracts
Presentation
skillsThe skills of
reflection
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
Involving Law Firms: EvershedsInvolving Law Firms: Eversheds an international law firm, one of the largest full service law
firms in the world, acting for the public and private sector.
40 offices across UK, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia.
take corporate responsibility and diversity very seriously
keen to work with us
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
Involving Law Firms in the curriculumInvolving Law Firms in the curriculum
An example from Year 2A ‘trusts’ based project including writing a letter to a beneficiary who had a contingent interest under a fixed trust but had particular family and social needs and was therefore requesting both maintenance and an advancement of capital. The letter requires that the students:
demonstrate the ability to explain to the lay beneficiary the principles of law involved
handle difficult emotional issues demonstrating empathy and understanding.
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
Involving Law Firms in the curriculumInvolving Law Firms in the curriculum(-Year 2 example continued)(-Year 2 example continued)
Leeds Law School staff mark the projects and identify the best six letters which are then discussed by Eversheds staff and Law School to agree the winner.
A feedback session including tutors and Eversheds staff.
Eversheds present a certificate and small prize to the writers of the best letters.
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
Involving Law Firms in the curriculumInvolving Law Firms in the curriculum
An example from Year 2 Research project based on employment law, in particular
issues of discrimination and diversity including ethics and professional conduct.
Students produce a research report focusing on these issues within a particular legal or business context of their choice (subject to approval by the module leader).
Eversheds, in conjunction with Leeds Law School, deliver lectures and some lectures delivered in conjunction with other smaller local law firms.
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
Involving Law Firms in the curriculumInvolving Law Firms in the curriculum
A proposed activity for Year 3
Leeds Met run mock assessment centres which would be filmed. Using the films Eversheds and other law firms participate in a feedback session to all students.
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
Outcomes for studentsOutcomes for students
insight into the legal profession
legal skills
employability skills eg. team working, action planning, organising
contacts
increased realism
Student
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH INTO DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS
Jane Stapleford
j.stapleford@leedsmet.ac.ukjane.stapleford@gmail.com
www.leedsmet.ac.uk/research/crdp
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