Insight
New bursary scheme will help law students
Outstanding law students have been awarded bursaries to help with their studies.
Law firm Ward Hadaway has helped two students with funding towards the second
and third year of their LLB exempting degrees and also offered them the
opportunity to spend time at the firm undertaking work experience. Kayliegh Richardson and James Donnelly, both second-year students in the Law School, achieved high exam results in the first year of their course and impressed the firm’s partners at interview.
The awards mark the start of a new bursary scheme between Northumbria’s Law School and Ward Hadaway.
They were presented to the students by Richard Butts, a partner in corporate finance at the firm.
The bursaries are to be awarded annually to two students, who will also have the opportunity to participate in eight weeks of work experience in the firm’s Newcastle or Leeds offices.
Kayliegh, originally from Preston, said: “We were among the top 10% of our year and were selected for interview at Ward Hadaway. The interview gave us the chance to find out whether our personalities suited the firm.”
She added: “It’s a great opportunity to experience working at Ward Hadaway, and the funds will help towards the total cost of my course.”
James, 19, from Durham, said: “The money is a great help but we also really appreciate the opportunity to undertake work experience. It should really give us a chance to get to know the firm.”
Richard Butts, partner in corporate finance at Ward Hadaway, said: “The bursaries are available to second-year students who are amongst the top performing students in their first-year exams. The work experience should be a fantastic opportunity to gain practical experience of working for a large commercial law firm.”
Mr Butts, who studied Northumbria’s legal practice course, added: “A significant proportion of our trainee solicitors have studied at Northumbria University. In particular, we see the benefits of recruiting graduates who have undertaken the LLB exempting degree, given its strong practical emphasis.
“As well as being academically strong, Kayliegh and James both displayed confidence and good interpersonal skills during their interviews, which are key criteria for us in selecting graduates to undertake training contracts.”
Mick Woodley, Associate Dean in the Law School, said: “These bursaries give the students exposure to working life in a solicitors practice. It’s an invaluable insight.
“We have our own Student Law Office but the winners of this bursary will have the added advantage of seeing what it’s like to be working in the pressurised environment of a large commercial practice.”
Ward Hadaway also offers an annual prize to Northumbria law students. Each year the Sue Watts Memorial Prize is presented to the student with the best performance in the Intellectual Property module of their LLB exempting degree.
Pictured L-R: Richard Butts, James Donnelly and Kayliegh Richardson.
Posted: April 2, 2009