Pathways to Law: widening access for 15 years

The Sutton Trust has been celebrating 15 years since the first cohort for Pathways to Law graduated- a programme that has supported thousands of students from less advantaged backgrounds to explore what entering the legal profession might look like.

Those offered a place on the two-year programme might be the first generation in their family to attend university, have received free school meals, attended schools with a lower than average progression to higher education, live in a neighbourhood with a high level of socio-economic deprivation, or have been looked after in care.

One in three students have gone on to work in the profession, including Muzammil Malamji, a solicitor at magic circle firm Clifford Chance.

Malamji grew up on a council estate in Leicester, and went to an inner state school and college. He was the first generation of his family to go to university. At school, he took part in a law competition. Afterwards, a teacher mentioned that the law might suit him. Malamji decided that when he went to college, law would be one of the options he would take at A-level. Within the first month at college, a teacher mentioned Pathways to Law.

Malamji explains that the two-year programme involved workshops, classes, summer schools, law conferences and work placements. He learned about the different types of law, the different branches of the profession, career routes and salaries, how to apply to university and which ones might suit him. Conferences provided helpful networking opportunities with law firms.

During university, he did work placements at firms such as Pinsent Masons. ‘That was pretty much possible because of the CV I had on the back of the Pathways to Law programme.’

Malamji eventually secured a training contract with Clifford Chance, which he began in March 2020. His first seat was in capital markets. His second seat was in real estate. ‘That’s the one the Pathways to Law programme really helped me to explore.’ His third seat saw him seconded to the firm’s Abu Dhabi office. He returned to the UK for his fourth seat, in property litigation. He qualified last year.

His message? 'Pathways to Law gives you the opportunity to work to your potential. A lot of times you can be super smart and super keen, but if you’re not given the initial opportunity, if someone does not open the door for you, it becomes very difficult to reach your potential. Being on a programme like Pathways to Law gives you the necessary foundation, it gives you the springboard. Without that added guidance, for someone [from] a disadvantaged background it would be very difficult to break through.’

Having benefited from the programme, it was important for Malamji to give back. He now sits on the Sutton Trust’s alumni leadership board.