We are delighted to announce the launch of our annual essay competition.
Now in its 9th year, this year’s competition provides an opportunity for those interested in a career in law to win a week-long internship at one of our offices this summer.
We are inviting female students, in years 11 and 12, from schools across Oxfordshire to take part, with three winners being chosen at a prize-giving event in Oxford on the evening of 11th May 2023.
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, with Managing Director, Nicola Poole, acting as an ambassador for the Women Supporting Women initiative. Nicola 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. We hope that by giving students the opportunity to experience working in a law firm, headed up by Nicola, it will inspire them to firstly pursue a career in law and secondly break down the barriers to the top positions.
To take part in this years’ essay competition, students will need to submit a 1,500 word essay by 5pm on 10th April 2023. Click here to view the full details of the competition and how to take part.
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