The Law Society has joined the national #10000BlackInterns initiative and is encouraging law firms and legal businesses to do the same. The scheme, which gets under way in summer next year, aims to help broaden career opportunities for young black people in the UK and address their under-representation in many industries. Members will offer paid work experience and create a sustainable cycle of mentorship and sponsorship. 

'The #10000BlackInterns programme is a great initiative and we look forward to participating in the summer of 2022,' Law Society president David Greene said. 'We hope interning at the Law Society – or law firms signed up to the initiative – will open doors for aspiring young black talent and inspire participants to pursue a legal career.'

Greene noted that, while 17.5% of practising certificate holders come from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups - higher than the average of 14.1% of the wider working population - only 3% of the profession identify as black. This is about the same as in the wider working population. However only 0.5% of law firm partners are black.

'The Law Society is committed to building a more diverse and inclusive profession,' Greene said. 'We are proud to participate in the #10000BlackInterns initiative and encourage law firms and legal businesses to take part and invest in the next generation of young black talent.'