University costs are a hindrance to aspiring black lawyers, says Law Society

26 October 2009

Aspiring black lawyers from less affluent backgrounds face a tougher time getting on the career ladder than their predecessors due to soaring university costs, says the Law Society as it brings its Black History Month programme to a close.

The Society has echoed the concerns of speakers at its Black History Month launch event in October, including Martin Forde QC and Sandie Okoro, general counsel for Baring Asset Management and director of International Lawyers for Africa, that the high cost of university study and postgraduate legal training has made it harder for today's students to gain a footing on the legal career ladder.

Nwabueze Nwokolo, Law Society Council Member for Minority Ethnic Concerns and Chair of the Law Society Group Equality and Diversity Committee, says:

"The solicitors' profession continues to attract BME student lawyers despite the high cost of the academic, conversion and practice aspects of training to be a solicitor. It was easier in the past when grants were available from one's local authority even for the post university stage.

"The law is an extremely competitive profession as was emphasised by all our panellists. To succeed, you do not necessarily need a first from Oxbridge. What is required is a belief in yourself, passion, integrity, honesty, persistence and a capacity for hard work.

"You do need as many mentors as you can muster and all our panellists made themselves available to aspiring lawyers in need of help in this regard.

"A degree in law continues to be highly sort after and valued by employers. Young lawyers should therefore be ready to be innovative and creative in the use of their valuable training as legal professionals."

The Law Society has hosted a series of events throughout October, culminating in a quiz to raise funds for the Sickle Cell Society on October 29 at the Law Society's Chancery Lane headquarters.

The launch event earlier in the month saw high profile speakers Martin Forde QC and Sandie Okoro joined by Luton Crown Court Circuit Judge Her Honour Judge Mensah and Michael Webster, former chair of the Black Solicitors Network and Law Society Council Member, joined by many other leading black lawyers to mix with and inspire the hundreds of students, trainee and junior lawyers who attended.

The Society then held a successful schools event, opened by Cordella Bart Stewart, a solicitor part time judge and chair of the Black Solicitors Network. Young people from London were given the opportunity to network with black and Asian lawyers and obtain practical information and advice on careers in law.

Workshops at the school event included developing skills around group work, gathering information and presentation skills.

Nwabueze Nwokolo adds: "In what is the first time the Law Society has marked Black History Month it has hopefully inspired tomorrow's legal professionals to succeed. This is in addition to continued Society efforts to make the profession more diverse, but it will be a waste if the cost of becoming a lawyer prevents that progress."

Stephen Ward, Law Society Director of Communications, Inclusion and Corporate Responsibility, adds: "The Law Society's Black History Month series of events are part of our ongoing efforts to make the solicitors' profession more diverse and ensure the legal sector and the economy can benefit from the best talent.

"I urge all legal practices to sign up to our Diversity and Inclusion Charter. It will help us all to attract and retain the very best talent from across all the communities we serve."

Places are still available for the final Black History Month quiz night on October 29. Email blackhistorymonth@lawsociety.org.uk to find out more and to enter a team.

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