Law Society welcomes new interns as part of #10000BlackInterns initiative

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Eleven interns have started their six-week paid internship at the Law Society of England and Wales, as it continues to participate in the #10000BlackInterns initiative.

Law Society President Nick Emmerson said he’s “delighted to welcome” the 11 interns and hopes “the internships will provide building blocks for their future”.

The #10000BlackInterns programmes are designed “to connect talented people to life-changing opportunities”. Since its inception it’s created 5,000 paid internship opportunities and provided training opportunities to more than 25,000 applicants.

Speaking about the Law Society’s participation, Emmerson said: “In the two years that the Law Society has taken part in the scheme, we’ve benefitted enormously from the contribution of the interns who have joined us.

“The interns made a positive contribution to many areas of the business. They’ve been highly motivated, brought fresh perspectives and created a positive feeling around the organisation.”

Emmerson acknowledges the “evidence” that suggests that “diversity in the profession varies greatly by the size of the firm and at different levels within the profession”.

In fact, only 2.5% of all solicitors with practising certificates identified as Black, Black British, Caribbean or African, according to the Law Society’s latest Annual Statistics Report. As such, Emmerson urges the profession to “continue to reflect” on how it can “welcome new voices and experiences” into its businesses, as well as how it can “retain” and “progress” candidates.

“It’s imperative we talk openly and honestly to ensure we are creating a culture change in the organisations we work in, not just pursuing our own success,” he added.