Ladders 2 Law: e-mentoring aspiring lawyers

Ladders 2 Law is a programme for students from non-privileged backgrounds interested in a career in law. The project, run by the Brightside Trust, consists of a weblog-based mentoring programme and the Ladders 2 Law library, with news items, careers advice and features.

For further information on the Ladders 2 Law project contact Tracy Sacks on e-mail: tracy.sacks@thebrightsidetrust.org.

Law is an increasingly competitive discipline, both at the university admissions and vocational training stages. For students from non-privileged backgrounds it can be virtually impossible to gain the work experience and inside knowledge of legal issues that law schools and law firms are now looking for.

Ladders 2 Law, launched in February 2008 with funding from the Gateways to the Professions initiative, complements the programme of summer internships run by the Social Mobility Foundation. Students interested in a career in law are paired with an e-mentor, either a barrister or a solicitor, who gives them advice on how to work towards their goal.

The project now helps around 200 young people in years 12 and 13 from non-privileged backgrounds with no experience of law, matching them with lawyers from top City firms such as Baker & McKenzie, Berwin Leighton Paisner, Halliwells and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.

Benefits of e-mentoring

The project aims to help young people interested in the law with no idea how to take the next step with the guidance they need to have the best chance of success in their aim of becoming a practising barrister or solicitor. Having a contact in the field helps them to think about the practicalities, with first hand advice based on real life experience, plus a helping hand in preparing applications to study law or gain work experience.

The e-mentoring programme has the potential to provide a lasting contact, someone the students can turn to for advice along the way. The mentors are pleased to be able to use their experience to enable a young person to make the most of their future plans.

The other day I was thinking about dropping out of school, or not going to university but now talking to you I am more keen to pursue my dream of becoming a barrister. Thank you.

comment from a mentee

It’s great to hear from you and please do not worry about asking me lots of questions – that’s what I’m here for! Please feel free to fire more questions at me – I am more than happy to try and respond (if I can!).

comment from a mentor

E-mentoring by weblog

The e-mentoring takes place on weblogs, online journals enabling mentors and mentees to discuss a range of topics. A secure communications framework is used to ensure that only named users can gain access to the blogs, with mentors and mentees authorised following appropriate security checks, completion of an application form, the taking up of references, interviews and training. All communications are filtered by Brightside staff.

The Ladders 2 Law library includes resources on legal careers, study skills and money matters, as well as topical news articles and debates on famous cases.

Last Modified: 4 June 2010