Eversheds Sutherland
Making a world of difference
As a global top 10 law practice, Eversheds Sutherland provides legal services to a global client base, ranging from small and mid-sized businesses to the largest multinationals. Its commitment to developing a diverse and inclusive workforce is underpinned by its core values of collaborative, open, professional, creative, and inclusive, which sits at the heart of its strategy.
The firm recognises that current levels of ethnic diversity in the legal profession need to increase and has committed to making a positive change.
Eversheds Sutherland provides two routes to becoming a qualified lawyer, the Apprenticeship and the Traineeship. We caught up with two apprentice solicitors, Krishan Jadav and Heather Jones, and also two trainee solicitors Hahmiz Butt and Stanley Amoh, to learn about their experiences at the firm.
Heather, what attracted you to apply for a legal apprenticeship?
I have always been passionate about the Law, politics and economics. This interest was sparked by taking economics and politics at A-level as it provided me with the opportunity to learn more about legislature and the role of solicitors in our society. Due to this interest, and my goal to qualify as a solicitor, I thought the apprenticeship route would suit me as it gave me the opportunity to gain first-hand experience working in a legal environment while gaining a degree. I also thought that such work experience would allow me to become a more well-rounded solicitor in the future.
What have been your experiences of working at Eversheds Sutherland?
My experience has been really positive so far. As I started the apprenticeship directly after my A-levels, I had very little experience working in a corporate environment. Therefore I was a bit nervous. However, the people at Eversheds Sutherland were very welcoming and friendly from the start.
How have you found adapting to remote working and how has the firm supported your transition to working remotely?
I have found the transition to working remotely very smooth as I was supported by both my colleagues and the firm. I was provided with equipment, such as a monitor and laptop, to set up an office at home. My colleagues also made sure to keep up my training while working remotely so I have continuously had weekly catch-up and training calls and am in constant contact with my team.
Krishan, Eversheds Sutherland was among the first law firms to offer a route to becoming a fully qualified solicitor through its Trailblazer apprenticeship scheme. How are you finding it so far? Has it met your expectations?
Yes, so far it has exceeded them! The role is designed to enable you to build real relationships; you are invited to meetings and trusted to communicate directly with clients. My day can involve anything from drafting documents to working on a completion. Pre Covid I had the opportunity to travel to the Milan office, which was an amazing experience and has helped to develop the skills that I will need as I continue with my career.
Krishan, I believe you are now the Junior Talent Champion for the Verve Network committee, how important do you think your new role will be to help shape Eversheds Sutherland’s strategy to increase levels of ethnic diversity in the legal profession?
Following our new ethnicity targets for the UK, being 10% ethnic minority partners by 2025 and 14% ethnic minority colleagues by 2022, it is vital that we focus on sub-areas to make sure that these larger targets are achieved. The Verve network – the firm’s ethnicity network which aims to raise awareness and understanding of the experiences of ethnic minority colleagues in the workplace – has approached this by appointing Champions for different ethnicity groups and myself as Junior Talent Champion. It is important to understand that each strand faces its own challenges, and by having Champions in each area, we have developed our own objectives to tackle such challenges. Being an apprentice and having a significant involvement in creating a diverse environment within the firm is important in showing that diversity and inclusion is not something that can only be achieved by individuals in certain positions, but that it can be promoted by anyone and starts with reflection on yourself.
What role do you think apprenticeships can play in widening access to the legal profession for ethnic minorities?
Ethnic minorities don’t necessarily have the same access to pursue a career in law, but the apprenticeship gives a real chance at not only having a career in law but also having a career with an international firm that has years of experience to support their development. As we look towards the future generation of lawyers, it’s important that we have a more diverse and inclusive profession.
Hahmiz, what has been a highlight of your training so far?
The scale of transactions undertaken has allowed me to work alongside different departments in the office, such as banking and litigation, which has given me a broader understanding. It was important for me to choose a firm that emphasised inclusivity, and from my first day I noticed how approachable everyone was, I felt really included. Eversheds Sutherland is different in that sense because everyone makes time for you, no matter who you are. I’ve visited colleagues in the Hong Kong and Shanghai offices, and despite not knowing me, they were extremely welcoming.
What have been your experiences of working at Eversheds Sutherland?
It’s a great place to work if you enjoy a fast paced environment, and the firm is always mindful of people’s welfare and how it can accommodate different working styles. ‘Idea Drop’ is one of our recent initiatives, which allows everyone to make their voice heard. What also stood out for me was the focus on personal and professional development. When I wanted to get more involved in business development events, I was introduced to one of the partners, who is really keen on this. People at the firm want you to achieve and are willing to help you on your journey.
Stanley, what attracted you to apply for a training contract with Eversheds Sutherland?
I was attracted to apply to the firm due to its sector expertise as well as its commitment to improving diversity within the legal sector. The wide variety of legal clients provides me with an opportunity to gain deal experience with a wide and global client base from large multinationals to small and mid-size businesses. Eversheds’ combination with US firm Sutherland in 2017 also ensures it is uniquely placed to provide clients with a distinctive offering driven by technology and sector expertise, a combination that greatly appealed to me.
How inclusive is the culture?
Eversheds Sutherland is very passionate about inclusivity. The firm has launched a target to increase ethnic diversity in its UK teams. In addition, the firm has committed to voluntarily publishing its ethnicity pay data alongside its gender pay report highlighting its desire to be a firm which reflects the world in which we live in. The firm’s position as a founding member of PRIME cements its aim to support people from a less privileged background and ensures that opportunity is available to the many and not the few.
What advice would you give to anyone wanting to apply for a training contract?
Focus on your strengths. The firm’s move to a strengths based assessment means there is greater focus on learning more about the personality of the interviewee enabling them to eloquently share their experience and reasons for a career in law.
Eversheds Sutherland is now open for applications for its various programmes, to include the Summer Vacation scheme 2021 and the 2021 Apprenticeship programme. Follow us @eslegaltrainee on Twitter and Instagram.
For more information and to apply, visit our website at https://www.apply4law.com/eversheds-sutherland/ or scan our QR code
Krishan Jadav Apprentice Solicitor
Heather Jones Apprentice Solicitor
Hahmiz Butt Trainee Solicitor
Stanley Amoh Trainee Solicitor