Mason Hayes takes its social responsibility very seriously and this can be seen through the continuous work of the Mason Hayes Charitable Trust.  The Trust was set up to assist law students who are the first in their families to attend University.  The aim is to fight the social and economic boundaries and stereotypes associated with the law and those who work within it and assist students who possess the natural ability and necessary work ethic to achieve a successful career in the law.  This is something I can truly empathise with as I was the first person in my family to, not only study law, but go to University.  I am therefore very keen to involve myself in the work of the Trust and help those students who need it as much as I can.

We recognise that, not only is it extremely difficult to get a training contract in the current legal job market, but that valuable work experience is also difficult to come by if you do not have contacts within the profession.  The Trust therefore provides a comprehensive work experience scheme to students during the summer months.  We take four students in our offices and provide them with a tailor made work experience placement offering them an insight into what life within a commercial law firm is really like.  To this end, I drafted a seminar for the students last summer which used one of our larger commercial litigation matters as a case study.  This is often the first time students have had the opportunity to apply the theory of the law that they have learnt in University to a genuine case in practice.

I also had my first opportunity to engage with the students on a personal level last summer.  As part of the scheme the students are given the opportunity to talk to all members of staff and ask any questions they may have about the job market and draw upon their experience.  We also take them out to lunch on their final day as a treat and to reflect upon what they have learnt during their placement.

Over the years the Trust has expanded and it now reaches beyond the scope of University students.  Primary schools and high schools are now included in the work of the Trust in order to reach out to people as young as possible and instil the message that you can achieve whatever it is that you want to achieve in life despite difficulties and potential setbacks.  I recently attended an award ceremony at a primary school where the Managing Director of Mason Hayes gave a speech to inspire the children and present those who had tried hard over the year with a trophy and book vouchers.

I look forward to becoming more involved with the Trust as I progress through my training contract and having the opportunity to engage more with students.  I am hoping to be involved in writing and delivering a seminar with some students later this year at the University which will be my first experience of public speaking in a legal context!

Until next month,

Kimberley