The University of Bristol Law School boasts an impressive network of alumni, many of whom are now established in some of the world's leading law firms and Chambers. We have forged a close relationship with our alumni and each year we offer a number of mentoring placements for our students with our alumni through our Professional Mentoring Scheme.

The Scheme is currently open to our highest achieving LLB and MA students entering their second year of study and offers an unparalleled opportunity to receive mentoring from an alumnus or alumna at a firm or Chambers. Through the Scheme, our students are given insight into legal practice and offered employability support in the CV and application writing process by our alumni.

Following Olivia’s recent success in securing her training contract with law firm Macfarlanes, she spoke to the Law School in more detail about her experiences to date:

Before joining the Professional Mentoring Scheme, what were your future ambitions once you graduated?

Securing a place on the Law School’s Professional Mentoring Scheme was an unexpected reward after a rather hectic first year at university. Having initially struggled to balance the workload of my degree with settling into a new city (and country), I was proud to have a professional mentor at distinctly independent silver-circle firm Macfarlanes. At the end of first year, I was still unsure as to what legal career path I wanted to pursue, so I was grateful for any experience and insight into the profession.

How has your mentor inspired you and have your future ambitions changed?

I bonded with my mentor on the basis of a very strange coincidence; when she was at Bristol, she lived in the exact flat I am currently living in. However, as I got to know more about her, I was inspired by her path after she left our flat: she made partner at Macfarlanes and managed to balance a job she loved and a family. It was important for me to have a female mentor in a profession still largely (at least at my mentor’s level) dominated by men.

What has been the best aspect of the mentoring scheme for you?

My mentor relationship ultimately led to a training contract offer from the firm; following my unique insight into the firm through the Bristol mentee open day, I was accepted onto Macfarlanes’ Easter vacation scheme during which I interviewed for a training contract. I also learnt more about an exciting career which I now know I want to pursue. The Mentoring Scheme gave me the professional exposure I needed to engage with the firm during my interviews, revealed a firm culture (highlighted by my mentor especially) that became a significant reason for applying, and was a stepping-stone to a very worthwhile experience.