Shepherd and Wedderburn is a leading UK law firm headquartered in Scotland, with a team of 1,400 professionals across offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, London, and Dublin.
The problem
The legal profession has long faced challenges in achieving true inclusivity, with the underrepresentation of individuals from minority ethnic and lower socio-economic backgrounds being particularly prevalent. Traditional pathways into the sector, such as in-person work experience, often create barriers for those without the financial resources, networks, or opportunities to participate. This lack of accessibility contributes to a limited talent pipeline, ultimately hindering the industry’s ability to reflect the diverse society it serves.
The solution
Shepherd and Wedderburn developed Forage, an innovative virtual work experience programme, as a pioneering response to the problem. Forage was designed to dismantle barriers to legal work experience by providing a free, accessible, and flexible online alternative. The programme comprised four modules that simulate real client work and legal tasks, allowing students to engage at their own pace. By reaching out to individuals who might otherwise be excluded from traditional in-person opportunities, Forage aimed to broaden the talent pool and foster greater inclusivity in the recruitment process.
To maximise its impact, the firm collaborates with universities and schools to promote the programme, ensuring it reaches students from diverse backgrounds. The initiative is part of a long-term strategy to create a more inclusive workforce and positively influence perceptions of the legal profession.
The results
The Forage programme has achieved remarkable outcomes in its first year.
Over 1,200 students have participated, with 40% identifying as being from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds and 55% as first-generation university students. This increased representation has translated into measurable recruitment success:
- 10% of summer placement applications now come from Forage participants.
- 15% of placement offers were extended to these students, all of whom accepted and are set to join the firm permanently.
These outcomes have significantly enhanced the socio-economic and ethnic diversity of Shepherd and Wedderburn’s trainee intake. Furthermore, the initiative has improved the organisation’s reputation among aspiring legal professionals, leading to higher application rates and a more diverse future workforce.
Shepherd and Wedderburn remains committed to sustaining and growing the Forage programme, continuing its collaboration with educational institutions to expand its reach. By investing in this initiative, the firm demonstrates its dedication to breaking down barriers, fostering inclusivity, and creating a legal profession that better reflects the diversity of modern society.
The information contained within this resource was accurate at the time of its publication. This article was created in April 2025.