This summer, Mishcon de Reya welcomed 60 exceptional students through our doors as part of our longstanding close partnership with the Sutton Trust. From virtual insight days to hands-on work experience, our social mobility committee are focused on breaking down barriers and opening doors to legal careers for talented young people from all backgrounds.
Pathways to Law and Access Apprenticeships
Forty sixth form students from across the country joined us for an action-packed virtual insight day. Through interactive workshops and real-world case studies, they discovered what it truly means to work at our firm while building essential commercial awareness skills.
This was our fifth cohort of Pathways to Law students, as well as our consecutive year of co-hosting Access Apprenticeships students (who have expressed an interest in pursuing a degree apprenticeship) – with a focus on supporting emerging future talent amongst socially mobile students.
One student commented, "Completing my work experience at Mishcon de Reya provided me with invaluable insight into the legal profession and the inner workings of a top-tier law firm. I gained a clearer understanding of the day-to-day responsibilities of solicitors across various departments, and I was able to develop key professional skills such as communication, attention to detail, and time management".
Careers Plus
Twenty university students experienced the ultimate legal immersion: four days working alongside our solicitors, tackling real legal work, attending meetings and building the skills and the confidence through workshops and sessions designed to support them in the early launch of their careers.
From shadowing partners to hearing from top barristers at XXIV Old Buildings, Three Stone, No5 Barristers' Chambers, Blackstone Chambers, and Keating Chambers, students gained fantastic access to Mishcon and the legal profession. The highlight amongst the students? Presenting their own client pitch to fee-earners and receiving feedback on the final day. Students have also benefitted from a mentoring relationship with mentors from Mishcon de Reya and other partnering firms over the past few months.
One student commented, "I gained so much more experience and insight into Law and feel like I know what to expect moving forward. I also feel way more confident in my ability to make a competitive application."
Why are these schemes important?
Edward Hughes-Power, Partner and chair of our Social Mobility Committee, reflected: "These programmes are game-changers. The Sutton Trust and businesses who support its work are not just offering work experience – together we are creating pathways to success for brilliant juniors, regardless of their background. Our partnership with organisations including the Sutton Trust helps to level the playing field and unlock potential across the legal sector."
Daniel Edwards, Senior Programmes Officer at the Sutton Trust, stated, "Everyone at the Sutton Trust is thrilled with the work, dedication and commitment shown by staff at Mishcon de Reya throughout the Careers Plus programme, from delivering key online sessions and arranging one to one mentoring to hosting a work placement to the largest cohort so far. This has been a worthwhile experience for our alumni across the board who we have seen grow exponentially while engaging with Mishcon de Reya staff and we look forward to all future collaborations."
Behind these schemes are more than 80 dedicated volunteers across our firm, led by Hazel Brayden and Karolina Tomaite. The team are already planning and looking forward to hosting our next cohort of students in Summer 2026.