Baker Botts L.L.P. is once again partnering with the Social Mobility Foundation (SMF) to provide a virtual internship program for 16 university-level students who are interested in pursuing a legal career post-graduation.
The SMF is a charity that aims to make a practical improvement in social mobility for high-achieving young people from low-income backgrounds.
“We are delighted to be partnering with the SMF once again this year, providing work experience and training to students who wish to enter the legal profession, but who do not have the means or networks to do so. Our partnership with the SMF is a further demonstration of the firm's commitment to diversity and inclusion, and we hope this year’s interns learn valuable skills that will advance their legal careers,” said Mark Rowley, partner-in-charge of Baker Botts' London and Middle East offices.
The internship program will provide the students with an overview of a number of Baker Botts core practice areas and will be led by a range of Baker Botts lawyers and business services teams including senior management, diversity and client development.
“Owing to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year we will once again be hosting the program virtually. One of the major benefits of the online program is that the students are afforded unique opportunities to work and interact with lawyers from across our global network, allowing greater breadth of participation and learning experience. I am thrilled that we can continue our partnership with the Social Mobility Foundation and look forward to meeting the 2021 cohort,” commented SJ Beaumont, London based corporate associate and social mobility project lead at Baker Botts.
By the end of the internship program, the students will gain insights to the inner workings of a law firm as well as mock training contract interviews with senior Baker Botts lawyers, and an interview and application preparedness workshop led by a professional development coach. Students will also be able to interact with lawyers and staff across Baker Botts’ U.S., European and Middle East offices.
The SMF was founded in 2005 by Linkson Jack to provide opportunities and networks of support for 16 and 17-year olds who are unable to get them from their schools or families. More than 10 years on, the first students supported by the SMF have gone on to be successful in achieving degrees and graduate entry jobs.
