Browne Jacobson supports Black legal talent

Browne Jacobson has launched the fifth cohort of its REACH mentoring programme, welcoming 12 aspiring Black lawyers aged 16 and over. This initiative is part of the firm's ongoing commitment to enhancing diversity within the legal sector, a need highlighted by the Solicitors Regulation Authority's report noting that only 3% of lawyers in UK firms were Black. Since its inception in 2022, the REACH programme has provided a platform for nearly 60 participants, with 17 securing roles within the firm itself.

The launch event for the latest cohort took place on 2 April at Browne Jacobson's Birmingham office, where Senior Partner Jonathan Tardif addressed attendees. The programme is sponsored by Bridget Tatham, a Partner at the firm, who remarked: "As a firm that aims to tackle society's biggest issues, we're proud of the impact our REACH programme is already beginning to have on advancing Black representation across our organisation and the wider legal profession." Tatham emphasised the importance of addressing the root causes of underrepresentation, stating that "this is not about finding or creating talent - Black talent has always existed in abundance."

Participants in the REACH programme will receive guidance from experienced mentors at Browne Jacobson over the next six months. This mentoring will be complemented by a series of structured sessions, including support for traineeship applications, an oracy workshop to enhance communication skills, and commercial awareness training. Additional events will allow participants to engage with notable figures in the legal profession, such as Black lawyers I. Stephanie Boyce and Shaun Wallace.

Adeyemi Ogunkoya, a former mentee who has progressed to become an Associate in the firm's employment team, shared his motivational journey: “Having been a mentee, I was inspired to become a REACH mentor because of the impact it had on my career and personal development.” As a mentor, Ogunkoya aims to guide the new generation of lawyers, helping them navigate the challenges of the legal field and emphasizing the transformative potential of the REACH programme.