Local law firm Hedges launches essay competition for school students in Oxfordshire
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In support of National Careers Week
Hedges, one of Oxfordshire’s longest-serving law firms, has announced the launch of its annual essay competition.
Now in its 9th year, this year’s competition launches during National Careers Week 2023 between 06 and 11 March and provides an opportunity for those interested in a career in law to win a week-long internship at the law firm this summer.
The employee-owned law firm is inviting female students in years 11 and 12 from around 80 schools across Oxfordshire to participate, with three winners being chosen at a prize-giving event in Oxford on the evening of 11 May 2023.
The competition takes inspiration from the firm’s Managing Director, Nicola Poole’s own personal background and looks to inspire a new generation of young females into the law profession, hoping they will go on to take senior positions in firms.
The prize-giving event will also be fundraising for the Prince’s Trust’s Women Supporting Women initiative.
Hedges has a long-standing relationship with the Prince’s Trust, and Nicola Poole is an ambassador for the Women Supporting Women initiative and has committed to raising £15,000 for the charity over the next few years.
Commenting on the competition, Nicola Poole said: “We are thrilled to support young women at a vital point in their academic education. This is an opportunity I would have loved to have had at school; I was a comprehensive student and the first in my family to attend university.
”It would never have occurred to me at the age of 16 that I could be a lawyer, let alone run my own firm. That is why we believe this competition and the internships will inspire more young women to enter the legal profession.”
While the proportion of women in the legal profession is higher than their male counterparts (61%), there is still evidence of a glass ceiling in the industry, with only 35% of women in the top positions.
Hedges hope that giving students the opportunity to experience working in a law firm headed by Nicola will inspire them to firstly pursue a career in law and secondly break down the barriers to the top positions.
Hedges has been offering clients ‘Advice for Life’ for over two centuries, supporting its clients across all aspects of their lives, including family and property law advice, dispute resolution, as well as advising on wills, probate and inheritance planning.
The Employee Ownership Trust-led law firm has offices in Summertown in Oxford and Wallingford, with further locations in the Cotswolds and London.
To take part in this year’s essay competition, students will need to submit a 1500-word essay by 5.00pm on 10 April 2023. Please contact Hedges Law if you would like to receive further information.
