Linklaters Internships For 16-18 Year Olds To Cover Legal Ops + Tech

Linklaters has launched a new global Business Teams Virtual Internship Programme aimed at 16 to 18 year-old students. They will engage with Marketing, Finance, Legal Operations, Technology and HR teams at the firm.

It is an extension of the firm’s existing virtual legal internship programme. The goal now is to give students an insight into the ‘day-to-day workings of the key functions that comprise Linklaters’ Business Teams, and the wide range of career options available at the firm, alongside the legal career path,’ the firm said.

Consisting of five modules, the programme will be free and online. Students will receive instructions, have access to resources to help with the tasks and submit work that reflects the day-to-day responsibilities of one of Linklaters’ Business Teams. The platform uses e-learning style technology to achieve this and provides model answers, so students can self-mark their work.

Matt Peers, Linklaters’ Global Chief Operating Officer, said: ‘Our Business Teams provide critical services to support our lawyers in delivering a best-in-class service to our clients. To attract and develop future top talent in our Business Teams, we need to keep raising awareness of access to opportunities at our firm and ensure we’re accessing talent from a diverse range of backgrounds. Our Business Teams Virtual Internship looks to do just that.’

The virtual internship complements the firm’s recent launch of its Business Teams Advance Programme, an 18 month programme specifically designed for talented individuals from diverse backgrounds looking to advance their career by receiving on the job training whilst being financially supported for a relevant external qualification, the firm added.

As part of Business Teams Advance, individuals work with and learn from business professionals across chosen fields within the Business Teams function, including Business Development & Marketing, Corporate Affairs, Finance, Human Resources, Sustainability and Technology.

This all looks like a great project. One of the key challenges young people face who don’t come from wealthier backgrounds is that they simply don’t know anyone who works at a City law firm and so feel that ‘it’s not for them’. This programme could break down barriers and help to engage a broader range of people.