BigLaw firms partner up for rural law students

Built around direct, face-to-face engagement between legal professionals and rural and regional students, Launchpad 2 Law sends lawyers from the firms, representatives from universities and corporate partners into remote communities, giving students a first-hand insight into a career in law and a supported pathway into the profession.

As seen recently, Australia has struggled to attract and retain lawyers, mainly because rural students often have limited access to legal education and career opportunities that often encourage them to remain in their rural homes.

Research has found that high-achieving students in regional and remote communities transition straight to tertiary education at lower rates than metro-based pupils, highlighting a pronounced gap in legal pathways that Launchpad 2 Law seeks to resolve.

The initiative comprises five components, which aim to address a particular barrier to entry into the legal profession:

• Engagement with students in rural and regional classrooms.

• Financial support through scholarships.

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• The opportunity for mentoring.

• Information and resources to support university applications.

• An annual gathering of scholars in Sydney.

In a combined statement from Ashurst Perkins Coie, Clayton Utz and Gilbert + Tobin, the three BigLaw firms recognised the limited opportunities available in rural areas, highlighting the lack of opportunities to meet lawyers with a wealth of experience.

“Many students in rural and regional NSW have limited opportunities to meet practising lawyers or see a clear path into the profession.

“Launchpad 2 Law aims to change this by sending our people directly to these communities, and by supporting that commitment with school visits, scholarships, and mentoring initiatives.”

Clayton Utz lawyer Lauren Judge, who is also involved in the program, highlighted the benefits of giving students a network before entering the profession.

“It gives students a network before they know they need one – people already in the profession who can answer the questions they might otherwise be too embarrassed to ask, and who can show them what's possible,” Judge said.

“Because sometimes you don't need someone to tell you that you can do something; you just need to see someone who has.”

Mentioning a recent school visit, Kirsten Fitzgerald, careers advisor at Kooringal High School, talked about the benefit of having Launchpad 2 Law visit their school.

“Launchpad 2 Law’s visit to Wagga Wagga and Kooringal High School gave our students valuable first-hand insights into studying law and the range of careers a law degree can open up,” Fitzgerald said.

“The visit was impactful for students.

“They were able to hear directly from lawyers about pathways into the profession and the support available through the program.”

What’s involved in the program?

Legal professionals, along with partners from corporations and universities, are set to tour high schools across regional and rural NSW.

Every firm involved has pledged to conduct a minimum of five visits annually, with inaugural trips already completed in the South Coast, Bathurst, and Wagga Wagga areas.

Nine scholarships worth $10,000 will be given each year to rural and regional students who enrol in a NSW law degree, alongside continuous mentoring support during their education.

Recipients will be selected by a dedicated scholarship committee made up of representatives from each of the participating firms as well as external representatives, including from universities and corporate partners.

The committee brings together people from across the firms, the universities and the corporate community who are dedicated to the same objective of opening up the profession to rural and regional students, and who each bring specialist insight into what those students need to succeed.

A complimentary online portal and resource centre offers guidance on higher education entry routes, financial aid options, and additional tools for pupils evaluating legal careers.

There will be a gathering each year that features a panel session, legal and career-skills workshop and mentor pairings alongside a formal dinner.

The inaugural event is planned to be held in February 2027, with an address by the Honourable Andrew Bell AC, Chief Justice of NSW.

Representative lawyers for the participating firms noted that looking ahead, the program will aim to make a lasting impact and continuously evaluate its reach and success in supporting regional students.

“Together, we hope these help rural and regional students see a legal career as within reach,” the spokespeople said.

“We will track the schools and students we reach and the feedback we receive from students and teachers.

“Over the longer term, the most meaningful measure will be how our scholars progress through their studies and into the profession.”