Stone King welcomes state school students for WLECN Early Careers Week

We were delighted to host a group of 16 aspiring lawyers from a variety of Bath schools, including Beechen Cliff School, St Mark’s School, Writhlington School, and Oldfield School on Monday 17 July to learn about our firm and the many and varied pathways into a legal career.

The event was part of a collaboration with the West of England Legal Early Careers Network (WLECN), with organisations, including Bath Spa University and other Bath-based law firms, working together to provide meaningful work experience to Year 10 state school students in Bath and Bristol.

The scheme replicates the traditional work experience placement week, and aims to be interactive and informative. Through a programme of presentations, activities and workshops, students gain an insight into roles on offer within the legal sector.

Darcy Beauchamp, Senior Talent Acquisition Adviser, and Rachel Feilden, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Adviser, gave an overview of our sectors and outlined Stone King’s 238-year history.

Associate Solicitor Elizabeth Fortin gave a brief outline of education law including the day-to-day running of education establishments. Students were given a case study to consider, focusing on the challenging subject of parental issues.

Students were also able to take part in a ‘meet an SK person' session with Partner Sean Randall-Morris, EHS/ADR Specialist Grace Souter and Solicitor Jess Ventham from the Construction Team, Senior Associate Solicitor Alexandra Steffensen from the Charity and Social Enterprise Team, Knowledge and Learning Manager Lisa Garbelotto from the HR Team, and Working Capital Manager Karen Greenwell from our Finance Team.

The students were given a detailed talk on legal career pathways, demonstrating the variety of routes into law and the broad spectrum of specialisms available–including both legal roles and operational ones such as HR, marketing, finance and IT.

The presentation had a particular focus on alternative pathways such as legal apprenticeships, emphasising the need for accessibility and diversity in the legal industry.

The students also heard from Davina Davey, Apprentice Solicitor in the firm’s Charity Team, on the benefits and practicalities of the apprenticeship route.