BSN July 2018 Newsletter
Dear Members,
We hope you’re enjoying the summer and are looking forward to some well-deserved time off. Before that, we wanted to share with you our pipeline of initiatives and events for the coming months. We hope you will agree these present exciting opportunities to get involved with BSN’s unique platform of services which benefit its members and stakeholders alike.
BSN’S JUNIOR LAWYERS DIVISION – PERSONAL BRANDING EVENT
Date: 19 July 2018
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP, London
Following their successful launch in the Spring, BSN’s Junior Lawyers division will be hosting a session led by Ronke Lawal providing strategic insights into how junior lawyers can boost their personal brands through the course of their careers. Ronke will discuss how to make more of an impact both online via social media and offline by networking and how to use personal brands effectively, develop effective relationships and build a community of personal brand ambassadors who will champion you throughout your career journey. There will also be an opportunity at the end of the session for attendees to share ideas, techniques and methods they currently use.
The discussion will be followed by summer drinks and informal networking.
To reserve a place for this seminar event, click here: REGISTER
BSN’S BIG CONVERSATION – EQUALITY IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
Date: 10 September 2018
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: Linklaters LLP, London
BSN’s Big Conversation panel event brings together the voices of thought leaders and accomplished legal practitioners to shine a light on and discuss (i) issues of race equality in the legal profession (access and progression) and (ii) the impact of current criminal justice policies and practices on the treatment of people from black and minority ethnic communities (by reference to the Lammy Review 2017).
We hope you will join our Big Conversation on this most topical and pertinent of issues for our community and the profession!
Further details about this event will follow. In the meantime, please register to attend by clicking: REGISTER
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND THE LEGAL PROFESSION – IS AI TRANSFORMING THE PRACTICE OF LAW?
Date: 26 September 2018
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: Linklaters LLP, London
BSN City Group invites you to a seminar/panel event led by Tyrone Edward, Associate Partner at EY, where we will unpack and discuss a subject area that is rapidly influencing the practice of law: Artificial Intelligence!
The plenary will cover topics such as Network Artificial Intelligence, Robotic Process Automation and software Algorithms and their perceived impact on the legal industry. Is AI transforming the way in which we practice law – what are the benefits, limitations and implications of this development for our profession?
Further details will follow. For now, please reserve your place by clicking: REGISTER.
UK DIVERSITY LEGAL AWARDS 2018
The UK Diversity Legal Awards is a BSN initiative. Now in its 9th year, it is the only industry Awards which focus solely on recognising and promoting diversity and inclusion across the legal profession.
Entries for these Awards may cover one, some or all aspects of diversity, including gender, ethnicity, social mobility, sexual orientation and disabilities. Entry is free – the nomination deadline has now been extended to 31 July 2017. Shine a light on excellence and share best practice in diversity and inclusion in the profession, nominate today by clicking here: http://diversitylegalawards.org/award-categories/
For more information (including Award criteria, past winners, ceremony bookings and exciting sponsorship opportunities), visit www.diversitylegalawards.org or email enquiries@diversitylegalawards.org.
BSN NORTH
BSN North (based in Manchester) hosted their first wine tasting evening on Thursday, 4th July. Members and guests who attended the informal drinks reception were treated to a fascinating insight into the business side of the wine industry. The evening was delivered by the wonderful sommelier, Marco Castellani. Marco delivered the tasting in a way that was not at all ‘stuffy’ and allowed those who were less familiar with wines feel very much at home. There was plenty of networking too! Thank you again to our kind host, Freshfields, who put on a delicious array of antipasti, and also to our Corporate Sponsor, PIB Insurance Brokers.
As BSN North’s events wrap-up for the summer recess, be sure to look out for the line-up of events happening in late autumn; there will be a number of functions throughout September to help our student members; plans are underway to celebrate Black History Month in October, including a panel discussion following on from last year’s sell-out evening with the SRA, Women in the Law, Hindu Lawyers Association, Urban Lawyers and others. We are also planning a well-being and resilience seminar in November along with a dedicated advocacy workshop. Watch this space!
For more information or to join BSN North, visit BSN North, or email bsnnorth@blacksolicitorsnetwork.org.BSN North Chair: Kyle Blackburn
BSN CAREERS
(BSN Student Members)
BSN has developed and regularly hosts, in conjunction with leading firms and corporates (most recently DAC Beachcroft and Linklaters), interactive Career Workshops for its student members, which provide insights into the recruitment process and tailored advice on applying for training contracts or work placements, with measurable success. If you are interested in engaging with and recruiting from a diverse talent pool, why not host a Careers Workshop – please contact us on email or visit BSN Careers for further information.
BSN will be collaborating with Accenture Legal for the 6th year to provide summer internship opportunities for BSN Student Members in the coming weeks. We have received a record number of applications for this programme this year – applications are now closed but do watch this space for future career opportunities!
For more information, visit BSN Students & Trainees or email careers@blacksolicitorsnetwork.org
CREATING PATHWAYS THROUGH MENTORING AND SPONSORSHIP
BSN City Group will be launching its Creating Pathways through Mentoring and Sponsorship programme 2018/19 in the Autumn. This yearly Programme provides mid-level BME City lawyers with access to insights and perspectives on professional development from outside their organisations. Successful applicants to the Programme are paired with senior City lawyers as mentors, who provide tailored mentoring and career coaching to their mentees. The Programme is further supplemented by periodic developmental seminars hosted in partnership with City firms and corporates.
Further background can be found here: Creating Pathways. If you have any queries, please email: mentoring@blacksolicitorsnetwork.org
Creating Pathways through Mentoring and Sponsorship Programme 2018/19 – Coming soon!
BSN JOBS BOARD
BSN Jobs Board is a platform for jobs and career opportunities from employers who want to reach out to a truly diverse pool of talent. Positions covered by BSN Jobs Board will include Solicitors, Attorneys, Barristers, Trainees, Internships, Legal and Business Support.
For those looking for a new role, you will be able to quickly identify employers who are committed to recruiting and providing opportunities on the basis of fairness and equal access. For more information and to browse vacancies, visit BSN Jobs Board by clicking: http://jobs.blacksolicitorsnetwork.org/.
If you’re an employer or recruitment agency, get in touch today to ensure your opportunities are on the BSN Jobs Board. Please do contact us if you have any queries regarding this service platform: enquiries@blacksolicitorsnetwork.org.
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We hope you find this newsletter informative and useful. We value your feedback and welcome your support and involvement with our service offering. Please do feel free to contact us at enquiries@blacksolicitorsnetwork.org.
Kind regards
Paulette Mastin
Black Solicitors Network, Chair