Tag: Students

Professional Career Events from the Bristol Law School

Author Faculty of Business and Law | Posted on

In November, the Bristol Law School hosted three professional career events for students, consisting of two Masterclass events and the Law School’s own Law Fair.

The two Masterclass events were arranged by students from the Law Society and were designed to help students prepare for the Law Fair. The first Masterclass was on Applications. Anup Vithlani, the Head of Graduate Recruitment at International Law Firm Trowers & Hamlins, came from London with trainee solicitor, Miranda Hamilton-Wood to speak to the students.

Anup explained to the 90+ students in attendance what he looks for in the 1000+ applications that he receives each year for trainee solicitor positions at Trowers. MIranda explained to the audience how she applied for her training contract with trowers and what her experience has been like so far.

The second Masterclass event was on networking. Over 60 students came to hear Rachael Wheatley, Blue Green Learning and Helene Russell, The Knowledge Business give an interactive talk on networking.

Rachel addressed many common fears and misconceptions of networking and gave students the opportunity to practice networking in a relaxed environment.Helene then talked about how successful networking could be supported and enhanced using social media such as Twitter and LinkedIn.

The Masterclass in Networking was followed by the opportunity to practice networking further over some wine with some of the Law tutors as well as two trainees from local law firm VWV, who sponsored the event for the UWE Law Society.

Following on from the two Masterclass sessions, students had the opportunity to attend the Law Fair. 43  43 legal organisations from in and around Bristol took part in the fair, held in UWE’s professional courses teaching rooms. Exhibitors included representatives from Barristers Chambers, Law firms, the RAC, the Government Legal Service and other legal businesses and representative bodies. Over 300 students came to the event, attending various talks, a CV Clinic staffed by practising lawyers and meeting the exhibitors.

Feedback from the employers was extremely positive and included comments such as:  ‘…all of your students were very polite, bright and well prepared and we would very much like to participate in your next law fair’ and ‘Both the pupils and I enjoyed the event very much. I have posted a news item on our website about the fair, publically thanking you for organising the day.”

A new addition to the Fair this year was a Life in Practice Panel where over 75 students listened to  11 Trainee panellists from varying backgrounds, including a UWE graduate, talking about their experiences and giving advice on working in the legal sector. An important message for students to hear was that of staying resilient in a competitive market.

 

BME networking event for Business and Law students

Author Faculty of Business and Law | Posted on

The Bristol Business School and the Bristol Law School celebrated Black History Month 2016 with a fantastic professional networking evening for BME students on 17th November 2016.  Over 50 Law and Business BME professionals and entrepreneurs from across Bristol joined us in order to share their career insights and advise our students.

Organisations in attendance included Elite Solicitors Ltd, Gregg Latchams, Albion Chambers, Bristol Pound CIC, GE Oil & Gas as well as the Black Police Association. Many professionals in attendance were UWE Alumni who were delighted to return to Frenchay and meet the next generation.

Guests and students were treated to a delicious and authentic Caribbean feast provided by the award-winning team at Biblos, managed and owned by UWE Alumni and entrepreneur Will Clarke, also in attendance.

The evening included networking activities and talks from finance experts and motivational coaches as well as inspirational UWE Bristol Alumni. Rodney Wilson (UWE Law) Managing Director of Elite Solicitors shared his career journey with a captive audience. Elite Solicitors opened in the heart of Bristol in 1991, it has since become the leading BME-predominant criminal defence and immigration firm in the South West.

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Photos from the BME networking event

Solicitor-Advocate Melissa Toney (UWE LPC) spoke of breaking several glass ceilings as a successful young black woman, and of her appearances before the Royal Courts of Justice. She championed our female students to set their sights high and go for it!

Rahat Ahmed (UWE Economics) founder of KnowYourPower delivered an inspiring and uplifting account of how he overcame personal struggles to graduate with First Class honours and establish a successful career in finance. Rahat spoke of success, determination and the pursuit of happiness.

The event, the first of its kind at UWE Bristol, was a huge success and energised over 100 students in attendance.

Photos from the evening can be found here.

Our thanks to all alumni who attended the event, which was organised by Dr Zainab Khan (FBL).

A date for your 2017 diaries: 9th February 2017 6pm

Tunde Okewale MBE, the founder of the charity Urban Lawyers and recipient of numerous diversity awards, will be delivering Bristol Law School’s Annual Lecture, ‘No one Rises to Low Expectations.’  Registration for this event will be available online soon.

UWE Bristol Law Alumni Networking Drinks and Pro Bono Panel Discussion

Author Faculty of Business and Law | Posted on

In early November, the Bristol Law School hosted their 3rd alumni networking drinks at the Bristol Law Society.

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The event included a panel discussion on working Pro Bono and was chaired by Marcus Keppel Palmer, UWE Bristol’s Pro Bono Associate Head of Department.

The panel included Julian Hemming, Partner at Osborne Clarke, who has been involved with the pro bono Business and Law Clinic which was recently launched at UWE’s new Enterprise Zone “Future Space”. Julian was joined by Drew Huskisson, Advice Team Manager at the North Bristol Advice Centre, whose job involves providing free and independent advice to those you can’t afford justice.

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Finally the panel was made of two our alumni: Marco Anderson, who is studying for his LLM, and Joshua Hazelwood, who is a Paralegal, Knights Professional Services. Both Joshua and Marco were heavily involved in Pro Bono projects during their time at UWE.

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The event was attended by alumni and invited students and was held at the new premises for the Bristol Law Society.

Photos from the event can be found here.

 

 

UWE Bristol re- launches the International Talent Scheme

Author Faculty of Business and Law | Posted on

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In response to the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education’s report on ‘Supporting and Enhancing the Experience of International Students in the UK’ which highlighted the need for universities to engage with employers, promoting the international student body as a talent pool of cultural knowledge, language skills, and international contacts, UWE Bristol has formed the International Talent Scheme.

The scheme enables international students to access UK businesses and work placement activities whilst completing their academic studies. In turn, these students provide UK organisations with valuable international perspective with a view to trading overseas.  Employers are able to access a wide portfolio of export services such as translation and interpreting, researching and identifying new markets, liaising with key suppliers, customers and clients in specific markets, and providing cultural insight.

Dr Nick Wilton, Academic Director for External Engagement in the Faculty of Business and Law at UWE Bristol, asserts that student insights are enhanced by the school’s curriculum design that develops critical graduate attributes, including global citizenship and cross-cultural awareness.

International Talent works closely with regional SMEs and International Business Councils to promote engagement opportunities and project activity.

A case study from Phineas Products Ltd showcases the exciting scope and versatility of the International Talent programme:  “Liliana took the role of launching our company into the Spanish and South American markets. With the aid of a UKTI OMIS market report she was quickly able to identify the key players in our target market and start communicating with the decision makers. Her native Spanish language was invaluable in building relationships with key buyers in PLC corporations and understanding the market in depth”.

To learn more about International Talent projects and events, please contact Jessica Tomico at internationaltalent@uwe.ac.uk

 

UWE Bristol alumnus, David Gilroy gives guest lecture to Law students on managing their social media presence

Author Faculty of Business and Law | Posted on
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David Gilroy speaking to students

Yesterday Director of Stuff and Things at Conscious Solutions, David Gilroy gave a guest lecture to Law students on managing their social media presence.

Over 90 students came to hear David talk. He provided the students with warnings about what could go wrong with social media and tips on enhancing their social media presence.

The talk was informative and David even provided a bottle of champagne for the best questions asked by a student.

David is an alumni of UWE Bristol, having studied his Master of Business Administration here in 1996. David commented that he enjoyed coming back to UWE after all this time.

David was a founding member of Conscious Solutions, a digital marketing firm based in Bristol. The firm has an annual turnover in excess of £1.8 million and advises over 300 law firms about their digital marketing, helping them to improve their online footprint in order to attract new clients.

Bristol Law School students take part in The Bristol Legal Walk and help raise over £10k for local advice centres

Author Faculty of Business and Law | Posted on
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UWE Bristol staff and students taking part in the Legal Walk

On Monday 26 September, 18 students and staff from the Bristol Law School took part in the Bristol Legal Walk, a sponsored 10km walk around Bristol to raise money for local advice services.

The walk was organised by the South West Legal Support Trust in order to promote access to justice. The Trust supports free legal advice centres to help the poorest, most vulnerable people in society, who could not otherwise afford legal advice. These advice centres, amongst other things, provide legal advice to prevent families being made homeless and to prevent destitution.

The organisations the Trust support help:

  • Prevent families being made homeless
  • Prevent destitution
  • Older people gain the support to which they are entitled
  • Women and children who have been trafficked for domestic servitude or prostitution.

The team which was organised by the UWE Bristol Law Society entered one of the two largest teams into the 10km walk along Bristol’s Harbourside. Other people taking part in the walk included the event sponsors bSquared Costs Law and Irwin Mitchell Solicitors as well as many attendees from several local firms.

The team helped play a part in raising over £10,500 for advice services which provide free legal advice and support for those most in need.

Business and Law Clinic launches at UWE Bristol’s £16.5m Enterprise Zone ‘Future Space’

Author Faculty of Business and Law | Posted on

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As part of its new University Enterprise Zone (“UEZ”) activity, the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) is launching a pro bono legal service for small businesses in collaboration with Bristol law firm Gregg Latchams Ltd and international legal practice Osborne Clarke LLP. This support will be provided within the new Future Space Centre on Frenchay Campus.

The weekly Business and Law Clinic will provide pro bono legal advice to small businesses in Future Space and across the South West. The key objective of the innovative venture will be to provide SMEs, growing businesses and start-ups with business–legal advice at a critical stage in their development.

A selected group of law students, both undergraduates and postgraduate professional students, will provide the advice on areas such as corporate and commercial, employment, litigation and dispute resolution and tax. Supervised by practising solicitors from Gregg Latchams, Osborne Clarke and UWE Bristol, the students will gain real-world insight and experience, providing them with valuable skillsets and exposure to the world of business. In addition to the Clinic, students will also be providing ‘essentials’ workshops in the professional services of law and accounting.

UWE Bristol’s Future Space, which opened its doors on 15 August 2016, is part of a new University Enterprise Zone, one of four that have been set up nationally and supported by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Assisting businesses specialising inrobotics, digital and creative technologies, biosciences and other high tech areas, UEZ will bring an estimated economy boost of £85m as well as over 450 new jobs to the region.

Donna Whitehead, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean who has led this initiative at UWE Bristol said, “This initiative deepens and broadens the University’s engagement with local businesses and the community and will really enhance the experience of our students in the Faculty, ensuring they are business–ready whilst also providing valuable expertise to growing businesses and start-ups at a critical stage in their development. We are delighted to be working with Osborne Clarke and Gregg Latchams.”

Peter Clough, Head of Osborne Clarke’s Bristol office said, “Future Space plays to the strengths of Bristol as a vibrant technology and enterprise hub, offering crucial space and advice for startups and SMEs in the area. We’re looking forward to seeing the innovative companies and working alongside the best and brightest students that UWE Bristol has to offer.”

Ken McEwan, Director and Head of Dispute Resolution at Gregg Latchams Solicitors said, “Gregg Latchams are particularly proud to be associated with this project having a strong presence in the digital, media and technology sector. This exciting venture offers a great opportunity for us to build relationships with companies of the future, demonstrates our commitment to SMEs and fills an important gap to provide support to new enterprise.”

The new Business and Law Clinic is in addition to the renowned pro bono work that already takes place within the law school at UWE Bristol. As well as the services being provided for businesses, students will also from the autumn be offering a new weekly drop-in service under the supervision of practitioner tutors at Citizens Advice Bristol’s offices in Fairfax Street. Advice will cover areas such as benefits, debt, employment and family matters. In June, its work withAvon & Bristol Law Centre won ‘Pro Bono Initiative of the Year’ at the nationalLawyer Awards 2016.

The launch event and first 30 mins clinics are scheduled to take place on Wednesday 12 October from 14:00-17:00 at Future Space. For small businesses wishing to sign up for this event – please register using the link below: UWE Business and Law Clinic – Launch Event and First Clinic.

Graduate stands to receive award after 5 years in a wheelchair

Author Faculty of Business and Law | Posted on

Watch the inspirational and emotional video on the UWE Bristol Facebook page.

A student at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) stood to receive his degree, having spent the past 5 years in a wheelchair as a result of a car accident.

Law graduate, Jeremiah Daliel, told his classmates during his first year at the University that he would stand to receive his degree, and stayed true to his word at his graduation ceremony, held at Bristol Cathedral on Wednesday 20 July.

Jeremiah’s inspirational action was aptly met by a standing ovation from his classmates, who clapped and cheered as Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Jane Harrington, conferred his degree.

Jeremiah, said, “I can’t believe that I am standing unaided for the first time in 5 years. It is a miracle and thank you so much. Thanks to my friends, and the University, for all their support and encouragement.”

Jeremiah wrote a LinkedIn article about his journey and the experience – you can read the full article here.

Lawyer awards recognise pro bono work by UWE students

Author Faculty of Business and Law | Posted on

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The Legal Advocacy Support Project, a partnership between Avon & Bristol Law Centre (ABLC), the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) and the University of Law has won ‘Pro Bono Initiative of the Year’ at The Lawyer Awards 2016. The announcement was made at a gala dinner at the O2 Intercontinental Hotel, London, attended by over 1,000 people from law firms across the country last night.

Whilst at UWE Bristol Law School, students are actively encouraged to get involved in a variety of projects from supporting local residents in dealing with community issues to providing free legal advice and assistance to members of the public.

This pro bono work provides UWE students with a great way of gaining experience in legal work and learning how to provide law-related advice.

UWE Bristol students have been volunteering at the ABLC advising claimants challenging changes made to their disability entitlement for over three years. To date they have helped to win more than £1 million in benefits for clients incorrectly judged to be capable of working by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Clare Carter, ABLC’s Director, said, “We are immensely proud of our team who are working with the some of the most disadvantaged people in our community. Following cuts in legal aid, these people have nowhere else to turn. This project is now a model that other areas of the country are following.”

Marcus Keppel-Palmer, UWE’s pro bono liaison, said, “We are delighted that the Avon & Bristol Law Centre has been recognised for the pro bono partnership with the University.

“At ABLC, our student volunteers have helped to advise claimants by challenging changes made to their disability entitlement. Since the project started the success rate of appeals made by the students and ABLC stands well above the national average at 95 per cent.

“Last year we announced that the students had helped to win more than £1 million in benefits for clients incorrectly judged to be capable of working by the Department for Work and Pensions.

“Recognition at The Lawyer Awards 2016 for our partners at Avon & Bristol Law Centre is wonderful news and demonstrates huge success for our commitment to pro bono work and the mutual benefits that both organisations have derived from this.

“We are committed to giving students as many opportunities through extra-curricular activities such as pro bono, whether at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

“Our students devote significant amounts of their time to assisting the local community, and we are very proud of the recognition for the link with the Avon & Bristol Law Centre.”

The project has helped more than 200 people over the last two years with an average of £5,000 won for each client.

Students who take part in pro bono work do well in the future as is borne out by the University’s Destination of Leavers in Higher Education data released today showing that 96% of UWE Bristol law graduates were in employment or further study just six months after graduation.

Students behind £1 million benefits victory up for national award

Author Faculty of Business and Law | Posted on

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Law students’ work representing benefits claimants wrongly declared fit for employment has helped secure a nomination for a national award.

University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) students have been volunteering at the Avon & Bristol Law Centre advising claimants challenging changes made to their disability entitlement. They have helped win more than £1 million in benefits for clients incorrectly judged to be capable of working by the Department for Work and Pensions.

The highly successful collaboration with the law centre is now in the running for the title Most Effective Pro Bono Partnership at the LawWorks Annual Pro Bono Awards. The partnership – which also involves students from the University of Law – has been included in a four-strong shortlist for the prize.

Since the project began three years ago, the success rate of appeals made by the students and law centre stands well above the national average at 95 per cent.

Marcus Keppel-Palmer, UWE’s pro bono liaison, said, “Recognition by LawWorks in shortlisting the Legal Advocacy Support Project for the 2015 Awards is excellent news for the pro bono commitment that UWE has. As a full service Law School, we are committed to giving students as many opportunities through extra-curricular activities such as pro bono, whether at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

“Many of our students devote significant amounts of their time to assisting the local community, and we are very proud of the recognition for the link with the Avon & Bristol Law Centre.”

The project has helped more than 200 people over the last two years with an average of £5,000 won for each client.

UWE Bristol students have become a familiar sight at Bristol’s Social Security and Child Support Tribunal, where they represent clients at their benefit appeals in front of a judge and doctor. The project recruits the brightest law students to ensure the best results for clients. All the UWE students on the project who graduated this year have received First Class degrees.

The LawWorks Annual Pro Bono Awards recognise and celebrate achievement in legal pro bono work undertaken by organisations and individuals, and the dedication and commitment of the legal sector to positively impact individuals and communities.

The awards on Tuesday November 24 will be hosted by legal commentator and journalist Joshua Rozenberg, with an inaugural annual lecture given by Director of Liberty Shami Chakrabarti CBE.

Martin Barnes, Chief Executive of LawWorks, said, “The LawWorks Pro Bono Awards provide an opportunity to celebrate the legal profession’s dedication to improving lives and enabling access to justice and I would like to congratulate all the finalists. The quality and range of nominations demonstrate innovation and commitment to pro bono and we are grateful to all who took the time to nominate.”