Leeds-based law firm, Shulmans LLP, has teamed up with The Shine Project to help inspire teenage girls to pursue higher education and embark on a successful career in the legal sector.
Launched in September 2013 after receiving funding from St Luke’s Cares, The Shine Project offers support, friendship and mentoring to more than 200 teens aged 11 to 18 in the inner South Leeds area, helping them understand their value and potential.
As part of the firm’s ongoing support of the project, Sarah Briscall, Solicitor at Shulmans, yesterday hosted an interactive workshop for the project’s members on the diversity within the legal sector, in an effort to prove that the sky is the limit when it comes to exciting career options.
The workshop aimed to breakdown preconceptions about the legal profession by informing young girls of the numerous different routes into a career in law, illustrating that the industry is open to everyone, regardless of their background.
This year marks 95 years since women were first allowed into the profession and according to figures recently reported by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, women now make up 47 per cent of all solicitors in the UK, with two-thirds of practising female solicitors aged under 35.
With such growing opportunities in the industry, along with a variety of funding and support schemes, Shulmans is keen to encourage more young people to recognise these exciting prospects and pursue a career in law.
Speaking of the firm’s work with The Shine Project, Sarah said:
“We are delighted to be involved with this fantastic project and support the positive work they are doing. Shine is all about encouraging young people to reach their potential and with so much diversity in law, along with a variety of different routes into the profession, we were really keen to show them what can be achieved.”
“We’re thrilled to be able to give something back and hopefully we’ve inspired some of the girls to consider a legal career in the future.”
