The University of Bristol Law School boasts an impressive network of alumni, many of whom are now established in some of the world's leading law firms and Chambers. We have forged a close relationship with our alumni and partners in firms and each year we offer a number of mentoring placements for our students through our Professional Mentoring Scheme.  

With a focus on supporting students wishing to pursue one of the traditional routes into law, the Scheme is open to all LLB and MA students entering their second year of study and offers an unparalleled opportunity to receive mentoring from alumni or a solicitor/barrister at a firm or Chambers. Through the Scheme, our students are given insight into legal practice and offered employability support in the CV and application writing process by their mentor.  

Background

Launched in the 2014-2015 academic year, the Scheme has grown considerably and we now have placements available at 12 esteemed legal organisations. While we have a strong mentorship base in international commercial law firms, many students are also interested in pursuing a career at the Bar. In the 2018/19 academic year, we offered placements to over 40 students at partner firms in London (Akin Gump, CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang, Herbert Smith Freehills, Hogan Lovells and Macfarlanes) and Bristol (Burges Salmon, Osborne Clarke and Womble Bond Dickinson), as well as Bristol-based Chambers (St John’s, 3 Paper Buildings and Albion Chambers).  
 
Each firm and Chambers operates its own mentoring programme tailored to their area of legal expertise. For students attending a law firm, they may be offered a day of work experience and support from Graduate Recruitment. Students mentored by barristers may experience a day in court as well as being given support in pursuing a career at the Bar. The scheme benefits students by enabling them to gain first-hand experience of what it is like to work for a top law firm or Chambers and allows alumni to engage more broadly with the School. It also strengthens and builds the close relationship between the Law School and our alumni. 

Where previously offered to students on an academic merit basis, the Law School has sought to widen the opportunities available to all students, so now any second-year student may apply to be part of the scheme. Students can apply to participate in the scheme during October each year and placements are available to both full-time and part-time students. 

Mentoring provision in the Law School 

Find out about our alternative mentoring schemes on our mentoring page. In collaboration with the wider University, we are able to offer four distinct mentoring programmes, aimed at supporting students with their specific career aspirations, whether that be to become a commercial lawyer (through the Professional Mentoring Scheme or the Browne Jacobson Mentoring Programme), work in-house at a charity or in government (through the Law in Society Mentoring Scheme), or explore an alternative career path (through Bristol Mentors) – we have it covered.