We believe that access to the legal profession for people from non-traditional backgrounds is an issue that must be addressed early and on a profession-wide basis.  We hope to break down any perceived barriers that may be stopping prospective talented candidates entering the profession through our unique Ladder to Law programme, launched in January 2010.

What is Ladder to Law?

Ladder to Law is an initiative designed to inspire Year 10 to 12 students from a variety of different social backgrounds to consider law as a career. The initiative was developed in response to the 2009 report by the Panel on Fair Access to the Professions, chaired by Alan Milburn, which recommended that social mobility be improved through every life stage including schools, universities, internship practices and recruitment processes.  In partnership with The Brokerage Citylink, we are now working with eight London schools and organising activities with their students in Year 10, 11 and 12.

The Ladder to Law initiative enables schools to give their students the opportunity to gain an insight into life as a lawyer. The programme, which is tailored to each school, offers schools a different activity for each year group and the activities have been structured to enable students who become genuinely interested in law in Year 10 to gain more access to the firm in Years 11 and 12, although students are able to get involved at any stage.

The current activities are:

Year 10 - interactive 1/2 day workshop

Year 11 - open day at Hogan Lovells

Year 12 - 5-day work experience programme

Since launching the initiative, we have received positive feedback from both the students and teachers involved. Ed James, Raising Aspirations Coordinator at Pimlico Academy, who have been involved in the programme since September 2010, commented:

“Pimlico Academy’s involvement in the Ladder to Law programme has provided students with unrivalled access to information, expertise and advice about careers in the law. For those students who are set on a law career, the programme has given them confidence that it is possible and for those who are unsure, it has been an excellent insight into the challenges and rewards of the wider professional world.”

How to get involved

If you would like further information on the programme, please contact Alison Peyton:

Email - alison.peyton@hoganlovells.com

Tel - 020 7296 2000

Please note that we are not able to offer individual work experience placements to students outside the Ladder to Law programme.