Major firms sign up for new diversity drive

Eight major law firms have joined a programme aiming to improve the development of black and ethnic minority lawyers.

Firms including DLA Piper, Lovells, Olswang and Shoosmiths are taking part in the programme, which includes day visits from school children as well as work placements for university students.

The scheme is being overseen by the sponsorship-funded Black Lawyers Directory (BLD) and begins on 31 January, with pupils from 20 selected schools in Birmingham, Leeds, London and Manchester able to watch video podcasts detailing the best route from school to a law degree.

Participating schoolchildren will also make a day's visit to one of the sponsor law firms.

The element of the programme aimed at university students will be launched with a day at DLA Piper's City office. The participating students will then be offered at least one week's work placement at one of the member firms.

BLD managing director Debo Nwauzu, who founded the group two years ago to improve access to the legal profession, said: "There are good reasons why many [minority] students are more likely to be less prepared and less informed about the different routes into the profession, what is required and the recruitment process. By the time they become aware of these, it may be too late along their career path, resulting in a waste of heir talent, resources and time."

She added: "I am a lawyer myself and I want to make sure these youngsters will have something that I did not."