Social mobility scheme broadens scope further as number of participating firms doubles

PRIME, the groundbreaking social mobility initiative launched by 23 law firms last year, has more than doubled the number of participating firms, with 50 now committed to the programme.

Simmons & Simmons, Latham & Watkins, Mayer Brown and Taylor Wessing are among the additional firms to have signed up to the initiative since its launch last September, as interest in the scheme continues to grow.

Other firms confirmed as new participants include Stephenson Harwood, Squire Sanders Hammonds, Irwin Mitchell, Withers and Howard Kennedy, while Travers Smith and Macfarlanes will sign up in the coming weeks, with SJ Berwin and Watson Farley & Williams both indicating their intention to come on 
board shortly.

The key aim of the initiative is to convince state school students aged 14-18 of the realistic prospects of a job in the legal sector in an effort to boost social diversity within the profession. Participating firms commit to providing an annual number of work experience placements equivalent to 50% of their 
trainee intake.

Simmons senior partner Colin Passmore (pictured) said: "It's a no-brainer. PRIME objectives are entirely consistent with what we have been working on, especially as we have been doing quite a bit around addressing social exclusion and facilitating access into the profession, and by joining the scheme this will hopefully accelerate the process."

PRIME founding members Eversheds, DLA Piper and Addleshaw Goddard will all host regional events this month to promote the initiative, inviting local firms that have not yet signed up to come forward and discuss how they can get involved. The events will take place in Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds over the next two weeks.

Addleshaws diversity manager Mary Gallagher said: "When we heard there was a need for regional outreach, it made sense for those with offices around the country to volunteer. There's a real sense of collaboration between the founding firms."

Allen & Overy (A&O) senior partner David Morley, who has spearheaded the project, said: "There is real momentum gathering behind PRIME and to have doubled the number of firms signed up since its [September] launch is a great start. But we want as many law firms as possible across the UK to sign up so we can make the biggest 
possible impact."

The news comes as it emerges that 10 major law firm including A&O and Eversheds have signed up to the Government's Business Compact scheme to promote social mobility.