News - LLP 2010 Cohort Fired Up for Success

A RECORD number of 55 students, described by sponsors as "fired up", "enthusiastic" and "eager", had their first taste of life in the legal profession when they attended BLD’s Legal Launch Pad (LLP) programme Induction Day at Barclays in London.

The students, selected from hundreds of applicants, were given an insight into a career in law as they embarked on the sought-after programme aimed at inspiring BMEs and giving them a head start in the race to secure jobs within the profession – some LLP participants successfully secured training contracts last year, including Magic Circle firms.

Sandie Okoro, the Group Head of the Legal Department at Barings Asset Management and Richard Lissack QC, of Outer Temple Chambers, talked about "Believing in Yourself and Networking with Confidence".  Sandie said confidence, plus effort, plus luck is the key to success and that luck is not quite as random as it would appear. People who are “lucky” tend to be confident, or appear to be confident, and have put a lot of effort into that. Richard, who has just been named one of The Lawyer magazine’s Hot 100 for 2010, told how he met only one of the criteria associated with the stereotype image of a barrister – that of being white. But he confessed to obtaining just three O-levels, not attending university and failing his Bar exams many times!

The students described the day as an "outstanding success", "inspirational" and "well beyond all expectations".

LLP is part of BLD’s Legal Gateway Scheme, a diversity access scheme that encourages social mobility, and is now in its third year. The national programme includes workshops on mock interviews, presentational skills and commercial awareness and at least one week’s work placement at DLA Piper, Barclays, Allen & Overy, Berwin Leighton Paisner, Freshfields, Beachcroft, White & Case, Olswang, Shoosmiths or No5 Chambers.