#10000BlackInterns: Law Society welcomes new interns
Seven interns have started their six-week paid internship at the Law Society of England and Wales, as part of our continued participation in the #10000BlackInterns initiative.
The initiative aims to offer paid work experience for young Black people across more than twenty-five sectors – including the law – and create a sustainable cycle of mentorship and sponsorship.
Our president Lubna Shuja said: “I am delighted to welcome seven young people to the Law Society. I hope their internships will provide building blocks for their future and I look forward to working with them.
“I am the first Asian, first Muslim and only the seventh female President of the Law Society. I am a Northerner, originally from Bradford, and I am from a working-class background. Diversity, social mobility and social inclusion have been a big part of my life and are very important to me.”
Commenting on the internship, our legal services intern Adaaku Onuigbo said: “This opportunity to truly immerse myself in the legal field at the Law Society is a dream come true. I hope to gain invaluable hands-on experience and witness the inner workings of the in-house legal practice from the members of my team, mentors and supervisors.”
Philippa Okoli, our private and commercial law intern, said: “I am delighted to have started an internship at the Law Society. Their diversity of skill and experience are fundamental to tackling the most prevalent issues of today. Through this internship I can build my skills, so I can be part of a diverse and impactful team in the future.”
According to our 2021 Annual Statistics Report, only 2.2% of all solicitors with a practising certificate identified as Black.
Lubna Shuja concluded: “There is evidence to suggest that diversity in the profession varies greatly by the size of the firm and at different levels within the profession.
“The profession must continue to reflect on how we can welcome new voices and experiences into our businesses and how we can retain and progress them.
“It is imperative we talk openly and honestly to ensure we are creating a culture change in the organisations we work in, not just pursuing our own success.”
Notes to editors
The Law Society’s interns will be working in departments including: legal services, legal policy, people and organisational development, membership and experience service, diversity and inclusion and futures and insights. A photo of our interns is available upon request.
45 firms in the legal sector have registered for the 2023 #10000BlackInterns programme.
Read about the #10000BlackInterns initiative
Read our 2021 Annual Statistics Report
Read our Race for Inclusion report
About the Law Society
The Law Society is the independent professional body that works globally to support and represent solicitors, promoting the highest professional standards, the public interest and the rule of law.
Press office contact: Naomi Jeffreys | 020 8049 3928