Bridging the gap: Law Society President visits Leeds Beckett to support aspiring students
Law students at Leeds Beckett University had the opportunity to hear from leading legal professionals at a special Law Society Aspiring Solicitors event on Tuesday 12 November, focusing on social mobility and widening access to the legal profession.
The event welcomed guest speakers Mark Evans, President of the Law Society of England and Wales, alongside Sophie Hudson (Weightmans), Dan Allison (Ison Harrison), and Ernie Motiejunas (Ministry of Justice), with thanks to The Law Society’s Steven Drew, who brought the event together.
Through a series of talks and discussions, the panel shared insights into their own career journeys and offered practical advice to help students understand the many pathways into law.
New to the role as of October 2025, Mark Evans is the 181st President of the Law Society of England and Wales, with over 28 years of experience in law and four years as a lecturer. He says, “there are still significant challenges for prospective solicitors, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“I want to ensure young people are aware of the routes they can take to qualify and are confident that their legal education and training prepare them well for their careers.
“It was wonderful to spend an afternoon with aspiring solicitors, junior lawyers and member of the Leeds legal community.”
Speaking about the President, Dean of Leeds Law School, Deveral Capps, says:
“I am absolutely delighted that the President of the Law Society of England and Wales made the journey to Leeds to talk about something as important as social mobility. It was a joy to host him.”
About the event, Dr Rachel Dunn, Interim Head of Subject (Postgraduate) at Leeds Law School, says:
“Events like this give our students invaluable exposure to the profession, helping them to connect their studies with real-world practice and to see that there are many routes into law.”
Third-year Leeds Law student, Neve Bartleson, who attended says:
“I have taken away so much from this. Previously, I had no idea on how to start the process for the SQE (Solicitors Qualifying Examination), but after this talk I feel a lot more secure in going for training contracts and going through the paralegal route to kick-off my career.
“This is all brand-new to me and it’s so important for me to see representation – it has been very inspiring.
“It’s great to have these talks alongside the course, as it reassures your choice and you can take inspiration from people you aspire to be like.”
Leeds Law School has a rich heritage and is a key educator of legal professionals in the Leeds and West Yorkshire region. It works extensively with law firms and other businesses to support students with work placements and encourages employers to hire talented graduates that will energise their team and support the local community.