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Eversheds Unlocked

Eversheds Unlocked is a programme aimed at students who are first time family members to go to university, are studying at state schools and have a genuine enthusiasm for the legal profession. The programme has been developed to give young people from ‘disadvantaged' backgrounds the support to successfully apply to university and understand what they need to do to secure a training contract at a law firm like Eversheds.

The students come to us through Pathways to Law and from many schools who we have a direct relationship with. If you would like to apply directly for a place on Eversheds Unlocked, please click here.

Eversheds is one of the biggest supporters of the Pathways to Law project, both through its annual financial contribution and also the provision of 60 places a year for our students on their bespoke ‘Eversheds Unlocked' programme. Delivered to students in Birmingham, Leeds, London and Manchester, Eversheds Unlocked enables the students to spend three days working and studying in a major law firm and meet all levels of staff from senior partners through to the trainees we hope they will eventually emulate. The programme also gives the students the opportunity to map out their career development plan and, through the guidance available, plot their goals for the next decade: something which many of them have not even considered before."
Phil Moss, Project Manager, Pathways to Law

We have designed a programme that would appeal to students and is different to the traditional work experience programme. It actively encourages them to stretch themselves and achieve their full potential and aims to dispel the myths surrounding the legal profession.

We have created a ‘staying in touch' programme to enable us to keep track of the students as they progress through A levels, university and on to securing training contracts.

"I just wanted to let you know that I got into Cardiff University! I got As in Law, English Language, Early Modern History and General studies and a B in Critical Thinking. I would like to thank you all once again for the help given on Eversheds Unlocked."
Birmingham student

One student wrote a poem about his experience on the programme:
 
"Alfred, Rose, Adam and Adam,
Litigation and calling women madam,
Three free lunches, eight hour daze,
Whoever thought Law would be this way.

All great people, interesting, fun
Great kids too, all friendly and smart
Yet such high modesty, Yorkshire roots through and through."
 
Jacob Flatt, Leeds student

View a short film about the Eversheds Unlocked programme

Sciences Po, France

Eversheds has signed a partnership agreement with prestigious French university Sciences Po to promote diversity and equal opportunity.

This agreement has two primary objectives, both to raise awareness of the legal profession amongst students at Sciences Po and also to ensure social and geographical diversity as regards recruitment within Eversheds. It takes the form of a series of actions and events and includes Eversheds' participation in Sciences Po's ‘equal opportunities' student recruitment programme, presentations of Eversheds' activities to Sciences Po students and also Eversheds offering trainee contracts and internships in its offices. For example, Eversheds partners will be able to participate in the admissions panel with regard to the university's equal opportunities recruitment programme.

"Our law firm believes that diversity and equal opportunity are key to our international success. Recruiting and retaining the best people is essential for our firm's development and we're delighted to partner with one of France's most prestigious «grandes écoles» (universities) which is allowing us to reinforce our efforts regarding diversity in the legal world. "
Boris Martor, partner in charge of diversity for our Paris office

Ningxia Province, China

Eversheds' Shanghai office has created a scholarship programme to support exceptional but disadvantaged high school students from Xiji, in Ningxia Province, one of the most impoverished and undeveloped regions in China. Students have to complete a written application in English and Chinese and the shortlisted candidates are then interviewed by a member of the Shanghai office. Eight scholarship awards are made each year to assist with tuition fees and initial travel costs to college or university.