How SE-Solicitors are helping to shape the next generation of lawyers, starting with Buckingham University

In March 2023, our Solicitors and Trainees entered into a Professional Mentoring Scheme with the University of Buckingham. This programme helps law students at the University gain real experience working within the legal sector, providing them with valuable insight and advice for navigating themselves within the profession. It is a wonderful project for our team to get involved with, as the Mentoring Scheme helps to shape the next generation of lawyers, encouraging them to progress in their careers.

Our Solicitors and Trainees who are involved have each been appointed with a student mentee who they are in regular communication with, helping to provide guidance and answering any questions their mentees may have. As part of our relationship with Buckingham University, we have also hosted several students for work experience, working alongside their mentors to gain practical experience.

Our Trainee Solicitors have attended multiple events at the University of Buckingham, including exhibiting at their annual LawFest fair, in addition to our Senior Private Client Associate Solicitor giving a guest lecture to students. 

As part of the Mentoring Scheme, we were able to invite 8 students from the University of Buckingham to our Banbury Offices in the Autumn last year to take part in a workshop organised by our Trainee Solicitors. The students heard from a variety of our Directors and Solicitors, who provided them with detailed insights into their daily working lives and personal experiences within the legal profession. The day ended in mock client interviews, providing a sample of what can be expected during their careers. Feedback from the workshop was extremely positive, revealing that 100% of participating students found the workshop both informative and beneficial. 

Our team have received some wonderful personal feedback for the help and guidance provided to their mentees:

            “The most memorable thing for me was learning about the different forms for family and employment practice, and especially knowing how the client fees are calculated… by the end I felt like I had a really good grasp on it. Overall, I’m very grateful for this experience. The team at SE-Solicitors were nothing short of wonderful, incredibly knowledgeable and so friendly… Thank you all for taking the time to speak to us, and mentor us.”

            “I have increased my knowledge around training contracts and assessment days for law firms. Stephen Yates has been my mentor and he has been exceptionally helpful and approachable. I am incredibly grateful for his ongoing help and support despite the programme coming to an end. Despite being incredibly busy, Stephen arranged for me undertake work experience at SE-Solicitors and is always willing and enthusiastic in response to my many questions and ideas. Stephen, thank you!”

            “I am really glad I reached out to Manider for the Work Experience Day. He was kind enough to arrange it and I learned so much for the experience. Thank you, Manider.”

It has been a pleasure to be involved in the Mentorship Scheme, and wonderful to see our involvement has been so well received by the mentees. Helping to shape the next generation of Lawyers is greatly important, and we are happy that our ongoing relationship with Buckingham University enables us to do so.