News - Passing Out and moving on up...

WOULD-be lawyers will graduate from this year’s Legal Launch Pad (LLP) programme, aimed at helping Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) students break into the profession, with a celebratory event at the London office of Magic Circle law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer on Thursday, 8 September 2011.

Fifty-four students completed the popular eight-month programme run by BLD. Barings Asset Management General Counsel Sandie Okoro will be the special guest speaker at the celebratory event, which features a formal Passing Out ceremony and the presentation of certificates. Many of the successful students have gone on to secure training contracts, scholarships and jobs.  

LLP, which is designed for those aged 18 and over, is one of the innovative programmes implemented by BLD under its Legal Gateway Scheme in a bid to raise the aspirations and empower youngsters –  another is the is called Today’s Children, Tomorrow’s Lawyers and is targeted at those aged between 14 and 17.

LLP is sponsored by top names within the legal world including DLA Piper, Berwin Leighton Paisner, Beachcroft, Shoosmiths, Olswang, No5 Chambers, White & Case and the College of Law. The programme is also supported by the Law Society and Bircham Dyson Bell.